수고했어 is a word that someone says to you when you did something and they want to show you their appreciation for the job you did. We normally say it to your colleague before leaving from your workplace.

For example, at an office (or any kind of work)

"Oh, already 6pm?! it is time to go home. I am leaving!"

"수고했어. (Good bye. Thank you for your work) see you tomorrow"

수고했어 is like a word of thanks. We exchange this word meaning "You had a hard day and did good job as always. Go home and get a rest. See you tomorrow!"

If you want to use "You did well." for a compliment like " Well done.", it would be better say "잘했어".

Since in english there is no word like 수고했어 when you get work done, especially before going home from work, my explanation might make you confused..but hopefully helps you understand.

@Fushia Seon

Thanks for your explanation! I understood it very well. I actually thought about 수고했어 being something work related since i heard it a lot in kdramas. To be honest both sound correct to me. Because they should mean both at the same time. Hmmm...now i cant decide hahaha thank you again! ♡ 

@kai ocean

Yes it does. His death affected me really hard, since he was always someone who kept me from doing it myself. And now that he actually did it i feel really bad and want to get that tattoo. So I can remember him and always tell him that he did well and that he kind of can say i did well as well. If that makes sense