Korean Wave! Korea and Jeju Island

People say that life starts at forty. It must be an important moment. Before I was forty, I started learning foreign languages again. I already had one foot in a different world so I want to have more experience and learn more about the world. 불혹의 나이 ‘마흔 살’. 마흔 살 부터가 진정한 인생의 시작이라고 말해요. 그만큼 중요한 시기임이 틀림없어요. 제가 마흔이 되기 전 제 자신을 위해 잘 했다고 생각하는 것은 외국어 공부를 다시 시작했다는 거예요. 다른 세상으로 통하는 문으로 한발자국 내딛었다는 거예요. 그래서 새해에는 더 많은 경험과 세상의 이치를 깨닫고 싶어요.

Healthy water, 음양탕

Many people are interested in finding good food or medicine for their health. That's why some people spend a lot of money to buy them. You might know well that water is also good for our health. Many people try to drink at least 1.5L of water a day. Today, I learned some nice information about water on TV. An oriental doctor introduced special water, '음양탕‘, and showed viewers how to make it. The recipe is very simple. First, pour hot water into 2/3 cup and then pour 1/3 cold water over the hot water. Don't mix them, just keep it. What would happen in the water? The water would circulate while mixing hot water and cold water. It is 음양탕. Just drink it. Then, it will help improve energy circulation in your body'. It is also important to keep drinking the water. In fact, preparing hot water could be inconvenient. It's O.K to use water purifier with hot and cold water. The doctor said that even juice can also be made into 음양탕 on the same principle. ----- 많은 사람들은 자...

A good story about 'Sibri', 십리에 관한 교훈

Let me tell you a story from the Choseon Dynasty. A traveler was going to Hanyang city which is now the capital city of Korea, Seoul. On his way to Hanyang city, he met a young man and asked how far it is from here to Hanyang city. The man said to go Sibri further". When he went about 'Sibri', he asked a woman if this was Hanyang city. But she also suggested him to go 'Sibri' further. He walked and walked. When he went about 'Sibri', he met an old man and asked him the same question. The old man also suggested him to go 'Sibri' further. Then the traveler was very angry. "All the people that I have met, told me to go Sibri further", said the traveler to him. The old man laugh aloud, "It is because if you think of going ‘Bakri" further to Hanyang, you would be quiet exhausted before walking." said the old man. What do you think about the story? Learning languages is like the story. In fact, it is not easy to master languages...

Jaksimsamil, ‘작심삼일(作心三日)’

At the beginning of the new year, many people decide to do something new, such as stop smoking, stop drinking, going on a diet, or learning something new. After deciding to do it, people seriously seem to pursue their new goals for a while. But how long can they keep their resolutions? For one year, or one month? There is a saying : Jaksimsamil(작심삼일). 작심삼일(作心三日) means that the "firm" resolution isn't kept for more than 3 days. In other words, people easily give up on their goals. Many people have difficulty to following their resolutions and in the end they seem to abandon them quickly(=give them up). I also decided to do something, but I'm already not doing it, in fact I haven't even started going it. It makes me feel impatient. How about you? ----- 신년 초에 많은 사람들은 금주, 금연, 다이어트하기 또는 공부하기와 같은 새로운 일을 하기로 결심해요. 결심한 후 한동안 사람들은 진지하게 계획을 실천하는 것 같아요. 그러나 얼마나 오랫동안 사람들은 그 계획을 실천할 수 있을까요? 일 년 아니면 한 달 동안? ‘작심삼일’이라는 속담이 있어요. ‘작심삼일(作心三日)’은 “굳게 먹은 마음이 3일을 못 간다.”라는 뜻이에요...

'What I Like and Dislike', 내가 좋아하는 것과 싫어하는 것

An instructor said that she loves speaking in front of people but hates preparing lectures. A writer said that he loves writing but has trouble getting himself to his desk. A director said that he is very glad to see his completed movie but has trouble planning his work. In other words, we all have to do what we dislike in order to do what we love.--- 어는 한 강사가 말하기를 자기는 사람들 앞에서 강의를 하는 것을 제일 좋아하지만 강의를 준비하는 것이 제일 싫대요. 어는 작가가 말하기를 자기는 글을 쓰는 것을 제일 좋아하지만 책상 앞에 가기까지가 제일 힘들대요. 어는 감독이 말하기를 자신의 완성된 영화를 보는 게 제일 기쁘지만, 작품을 계획하는 것이 어렵대요. 즉, 우리가 제일 좋아하는 일을 하려면 싫어하는 일도 해야 된다는 거래요.

My first Scaling, '생애 최초 치석 제거'

Two years ago, I went to the dentist and had my teeth scaled . It was my first time, so I was very nervous. After my face, except for my mouth, was covered by a cloth with a small hole, the scaling began. I was glad to hear the therapist kind explanations of the process during the scaling. For example, water would splash a little, or your front teeth would feel irritated, etc. I felt something passing every corner of my teeth with a sharp and noisy machine. By the end of the scaling, my fear had melted away and I felt comfortable. After the scaling, I was very surprised. In fact, I expected that it would take a long time and be very painful, but I was able to(=could) stand the pain. After listening to her advice on getting a regular cleaning once a year, I left the dentist with light steps. ------- 저는 2년 전 치과에 가서 스케일링을 받았어요. 처음으로 하는 거라 많이 긴장했어요. 구멍이 뚫린 천이 제 입을 제외한 얼굴에 씌어진 후 스케일링이 시작됐어요. 담당 선생님이 친절하게 여러 가지 상황들을 치료 중간 중간에 말씀해 주셔서 좋았어요. 예를 들면, 물이 조금 나와서 튀어요. 또는 앞니로 갈수록 따끔거려요 등. 이를 빙 둘러...

My feeling after watching the TV program of SBS broadcasting,'Thank You' on a winter day in 2013

'Thank You' showed the process that three men had spent time together for one night and two days. They are still famous in their jobs. One is an actor, another is a baseball player and the other is a monk. I became curious about their trip. In fact, I wanted to know what the famous people like them were thinking and worrying about their lives. During one day, they enjoyed having a snowball fight and some funny games under the beautiful snow scenery. It made me feel good to see the adults playing like children. They became more intimate as time went on. They talked a lot sitting around the fire at night. I was very impressed by their honest talking. It is not easy to show one's worries and thoughts to the public. For this reason, impressions of their remarks are still lingering(= still linger) in my mind. **** 1. We are partners to each other even though we have walked alnog the different way and we are going there again. 2. I am really happy because I have someone to exp...

'Korean Origin Myths', 한국 건국 신화

Have you ever heard of Korea's Origin Myth, 'The Myth of Dangoon'? Once upon a time, Hwanin, who was like a God, had a son named Hwanyoong who came down to Earth to look after people. There was also a tiger and a bear that wanted to become human. Hwanyoong advised that they eat only garlic and mugwort for 100 days while living in a cave. If they could do this, he promised to make them humans. The tiger soon gave up, but the bear followed these rules well, so Hwanyoong kept his promise. As a result, the bear became a woman and got married to Hwanyoong. Dangoon was their only son, who founded a nation called 'Gojoseon'.----- 여러분은 한국의 건국 신화인 ‘단군 신화’를 들어본 적이 있나요? 옛날 옛적, 환인의 아들 환웅이 인간들을 보살피기 위해 땅에 내려왔어요. 인간이 되고픈 호랑이와 곰도 있었어요. 환웅은 그들에게 100일 동안 동굴에서 오직 마늘과 쑥을 먹으라고 제안했어요. 호랑이는 곧 포기를 했지만, 곰은 그의 규칙을 잘 따라서 약속을 지켰어요. 그 결과 그 곰은 여자가 되어 환웅과 결혼을 했어요. 그들에게는 ‘단군’이라는 아들이 한 명 있었는데, 단군은 ‘고조선’이란 나라를 세웠어요.

'Jeju Dragon Head Shore’, 제주 용머리 해안

There are many places with great natural landscapes all over the world. Do you ever feel the wonder of nature when you see great landscapes? I think ‘Dragon Head Shore’ is one of these places. Have you ever seen a shore like it? 'Dragon Head Shore’ is located at the bottom of Mount Sanbang on Jeju island. It was named because it looked like a dragon jumping and flying toward(=towards) the ocean. Let me tell you about the sad legend of Dragon Head Shore. During the Qin Dynasty in China, King Shi Huang heard a rumor that a king would be born on Jeju Island. He sent a geomancer called Hojongadan to Jeju to block the Hyeol. In geomancy, Hyeol means a places of good spirits. He searched for it as soon as he came to Jeju Island. One day, while looking at Dragon Head Shore he finally found the Hyeol of Mount Sanbang. It looked like a dragon head about to fly toward the pacific Ocean. He decisively cut the dragon's tail and back with his sword. Then dark red blood spewed out with a l...

The privacy should be respected!

The news of the celebrity's suicide gave the public as well as his family a big emotional shock. It seems to have the most negative impact if it is one's favorite personality who has died. Celebrities also have problems in their lives even though they seem to have great lives as shown in the media. But the public only sees their lives through the media. If one doesn't know the truth about a celebrity's personal life , it would be better not to say anything about them. But their broken heart seems to be made worse by heartless people who like to blame on them as if they know the truth about the rumors.---- 유명인의 자살 소식은 가족뿐만 아니라 대중에게도 큰 충격을 주었다. 특히나 자신이 좋아하는 유명인의 죽음은 더 그런 것 같다. 비록 매스컴을 통해 비춰지는 연예인들의 삶은 화려하지만, 그들 역시 힘든 삶이 있다. 대중은 그들의 겉모습만 본다. 차라리 사실을 모르면 아무런 말이라도 하지 말지. 그러나 마치 다 아는 것처럼 비난하는 그런 무심한 사람들에 의해 그들의 상처는 더 깊어지는 것 같다.

At dusk in Ayoung(어영마을)

At dusk in Ayoung(어영마을) we can see the sunset and fishing boats on the horizon. The boats turn on the lights, which are so bright and dazzling. They do this because cuttle fish like bright lights. The sight of the boats and the village lights make me feel comfortable while sitting on a bench and feeling the sea breeze.-----해가 질 무렵 어영마을에 가면 노을도 볼 수 있고 수평선에 뜬 오징어잡이 어선들도 볼 수 있어요. 캄캄한 밤이 되면 그 배들은 환한 전등을 켜는데 눈이 부실 정도로 밝아요. 왜냐하면 오징어들은 환한 불빛을 좋아하기 때문이에요. 벤치에 앉아서 시원한 바닷바람을 맞으면서 오징어 배들도 보고 마을의 불빛도 보면 마음이 편안해져요.

The teacher, 마여진's words in the last class!

In a drama called 'Queen's Classroom', what the teacher, 마여진 says to all of her classes was very impressive. Her words to her children in the last class touched my heart. "You will live trembling with fear. You have to sacrifice today for your tomorrow. But remember that you only can live in today, not tomorrow. Whenever you feel fear, feel that you are alive. Don't do such a stupid thing as giving up today because of fear for your future. If you don't have any dreams, do your best with what you want to do and have to do, so then your dreams can be seen. Don't run away from your work and live for your happiness. Don't forget that your friends also have to be happy as well as you. Treasure yourself and your friends. Do your best to live today with your friends." 드라마 ‘여왕의 교실’에서 마여진 선생님이 매수업마다 남기는 말씀이 아주 인상적이었어요. 그중 마지막 수업에서 하신 말씀이 제게 크게 와 닿았어요. 마여진 선생님은 "너희들은 매일 두려움에 떨며 살 거다. 내일을 위해서 오늘을 희생하며 살아야 한다. 하지만 기억해라. 너희들이 살 수 있는 시간은 내일이 아닌 오늘 뿐이다. 마음이...

A bookworm 'Kim Duk Sin', 독서광 '김득신'

May 17, 2015

Kim Duk Sin, a poet of the Joseon Dynasty, is well known for being a bookworm. This is because instead of reading lots of different kinds of books, he read every book he had over 1000 times. He even read the book 'Bakijeon' over 110,000 times. He was a bit slow, so he only started learning the alphabet at the age of 10, and he barely wrote anything until the age of 20. Let me tell you an anecdote about him. One day while he and his servant were passing by a house, he heard a man reading out loud. He stopped and listened to it for a while. "I am familiar with this section but I have no idea which one it is." said Kim Duk Sin." I know what book the section is in. Because I have heard your voice reading for all your life. You really don't know it?" his servant said, looking at him riding his horse. A little later, he realized that it was the story 'Bakijeon'. This anecdote shows his extreme dullness. But he read books day and night. To quote of ep...

My e-mail to her homeroom teacher, two years ago., '2년전 아이의 담임선생님께 보낸 메일!'

안녕하세요, 선생님 주말을 잘 보내셨나요? 직접 찾아뵙고 인사를 드려야 하는데 이렇게 메일을 주고받는 점을 사과드립니다. 그리고 평상시 제가 어린이집에 근무하고 있어서 개인적으로 핸드폰을 사용할 수 없다보니 전화 상담을 할 수 없는 것에 대해서도 사과드립니다. Did you have a nice weekend? I am sorry to send you an e-mail instead of visiting you at school. And I am sorry again that I can't get the telephone counseling service because I can't use my cell phone while working.////// 평상시 재연이는 집에서도 성실히 생활하고 있어서 공부에 관해 물어볼 때를 제외하고는 제가 크게 관여를 하지는 않는 편이에요. 특히 처음에 방과 후 수업을 시작할 때 재연이는 좋아하지 않았지만 시간이 지나면서 적응을 잘 해서 지금은 플르트, 컴퓨터, 영어, 중국어 수업을 듣고 있고 그 외에 미술학원을 다니고 있어요. 미술학원은 7살 유치원에 다닐 때 시작을 해서 지금까지 다니고 있어요. 학교 방과 후 수업이 재연이를 위해서 그리고 경제적인 면에서도 많은 도움을 받고 있어요. Jayeon usually does well at home so I don't bother her unless she asks me about her studies. She particularly needed my help when she started afterschool classes, which she didn't like at first. Now she's used to them, and she are taking some more afterschool classes such as flute, computer, English and Chinese classes, as well an ar...

Consulting with my daughter's homeroom teacher, Mrs. Ko, by telephone., '딸의 담임선생님과 전화상담!'

Two years ago,on Sunday I sent my daughter's teacher an email. But on Saturday I read a notice that the teacher will leave school for one month. At first, I didn't take it seriously but then my daughter told me about school life during her science class. She still complained about her group and cried while telling me about her group. In the end, I had to call her teacher to consult with the teacher about the problems my daughter was having, although I didn't want to intrude on her private time after work. But I had no time to wait till she would come back to school after her one month absence. Because I really didn't want my daughter to spend her school life unhappily. In fact, I was very angry with Mrs. Ko when we were talking by telephone. Because she hadn't read my letter and initially responded with, "No, I don't think so" after I had conveyed my concerns about my daughter to her. If I were her, I would never contradict someone like that. If I wer...

My diary on August 15th 2013, I miss it!

Last night I heard that my children were sniffling so I asked them the reason. My younger kid said that she really missed Dosoon." Doosoon was a teddy bear which had been with us for 10 years from when my elder kid received it as a present when she was one year old. This time last year my family and I went to a museum. my younger kid carried it. I suggested that she leaves the teddy bear in the car but she insisted on carrying it. In the end she brought it with her into the museum it. After looking around the museum, when we came back home, we realized that she had left it in the museum. I called the museum to see if I could find it but I couldn't. Since then my kids have missed it and I also missed it by their appearance that they were still missing it. ............... Sometimes I miss the teddy bear,Doosoon! //////////// 어제 저녁에 아이들이 훌쩍 훌쩍 우는 소리가 들려서 왜 우냐고 물어봤어요. 작은 딸이 “또순이가 보고 싶어.”라고 얘기를 했어요. 또순이는 큰아이가 한 살 때 선물 받은 곰돌이 인형인데 10년 동안 같이 지냈어요. 작년 이맘때 우리 가족 모두 어느 박물관에 놀러간 적이 있...

“Bad news travels fast” : “발 없는 말이 천리 간다.”

Now, with the development of the Internet, people can see many events easier. But some of the events are so exaggerated or false. For example, two years ago, there was a hot story/report on the Internet and the mass media. It was that a pregnant woman was attacked by an employee at a restaurant while talking about bad service with the employee. the pregnant wrote about it on the Internet, and made people take a profound interest in the incident. Many people were very angry and felt the same way as her, although the owner also put a post to refute her on the Internet. As a result, the business of the restaurant was hurt by bad image. Policemen looked at the CCTV to figure out the truth of the case. In the end, they reported her lies. People were disappointed in her and were ashamed of spreading rumors without checking. ///// 지금, 인터넷의 발달로 인해 사람들은 많은 사건들을 쉽게 접하고 있어요. 그런데 그 중에는 너무 과정 되거나 거짓된 사건들도 있어요. 한 예로, 2년 전 공중매체와 인터넷 세상을 뜨겁게 달군 사건이 있었어요. 어느 임산부가 어느 음식점에 갔다가 한 직원에게 구타를 당했다는 소식이었...

Please praise, '칭찬해 주세요'

I watched an interesting test on TV a long time ago. The test was to put two bowls of cooked rice in the same environment for one month. And a person would speak to the two bowls of rice three times a day. He told one good words such as you are pretty, I love you etc, meanwhile he told the other bad words such as you are bad, I hate you etc. One month later, researchers compared the two bowls of rice. The results were unexpected. The boiled rice that "listened" to good words grew good mold and even smelled good. On the other hand, the other bowl of rice that "listened" to bad words went moldy and decayed a lot. How much more amazing would the results be if a person heard positive comments every day from surrounding people? ............ 예전에 TV에서 재미있는 실험을 본 적이 있어요. 그 실험은 두 공기의 똑같은 밥을 똑같은 조건에서 한 달 동안 놔두는 것이었어요. 그리고 어떤 사람이 매일 하루 세 번씩 그 밥을 보면서 말을 해주었어요. 한쪽의 밥에게는 “너, 참 예쁘다. 사랑해” 등과 같은 좋은 말을 해주는 반면에 다른 쪽의 밥에게는 “너는 나빠, 사랑하지 않아” 등과 같은 나쁜 말을 했어요. 한 달 후에 연구원들이 두 그릇의 밥을 비교했어...

Thanks to my good friends, I feel happy!

Whenever I write something, I wonder what kind of subject I will write about one year or two years or 10 years later. This moment when I write something in English I feel happy. In fact, when I was a high school student I couldn't imagine it. Because my English ability was very poor, it was impossible for me to read English books or chat in English or to pen pal. But now I can do those things. It might have been still impossible if I had not put my effort into my study. Most of all, thanks to good friends my English ability has been improved and I became confident............ 제가 글을 쓸 때마다 1년 후에, 2년 후에 아니면 10년 후에 나는 무슨 주제로 글을 쓰고 있을지가 궁금해요. 영어로 글을 쓰고 있는 이 순간에 저는 행복함을 느껴요. 사실 제가 고등학생이었을 때는 이런 제 모습을 상상할 수 없었거든요. 왜냐하면 그때 제 영어실력은 아주 형편이 없어서 영어책을 읽는다든가 영어채팅을 한다든가 영어펜팔을 한다는 것은 불가능했기 때문이에요. 그러나 지금은 그것들을 전 할 수 있어요. 제가 공부에 노력을 하지 않았다면 그것은 여전히 불가능했을지도 몰라요. 무엇보다도 좋은 친구들 덕분에 제 영어실력이 많이 향상되었고 자신감이 생겼어요.

My Life Philosophy!

May 09, 2015

Whenevr I hit my arm or foot against something, the terrible pain reminds me that I am not special and I am just an ordinary person. People dream of living special lives like becoming a superstar. However, they soon realize that it is only a fantasy. Whenever I hear about someone passing away, I again realize the uncertainty of life. While we are alive, it is natural to experience all kinds of feelings like happiness, sadness, pain, anger, loneliness, despair, etc. Although we can not predict what will happen, let's always hope for a better future.

Parents Day

May 09, 2015

On May 8th is Parents day so I got received two cards and paper flowers from my daughters yesterday. My husband and I felt happy.

"The blue night of Jeju island", sung by Sung Si Kyung, '가수 성시경의 제주도의 푸른 밤'

I recommend a good song, "The blue night of Jeju island", sung by Sung Si Kyung. It is very slow so it makes you feel relaxed. I think that most people who live in cities sometimes dream of escaping their daily lives. This song accurately depicts this longing of city people and also expresses the beautiful sea of Jeju. I hope you like this song. I translated the Korean lyrics into English to help you understand the feeling you get when you listen to the song. How about taking a walk with me around a beach in Jeju under the stars? Now leave your problems behind and let's walk under the blue sky of Jeju Island under the stars together. ** We don't want to be bound by newspapers, the TV, and pay envelopes anymore. ** I like windows more to see the sea rather than the walls of the apartment. Let's grow tangerines together. ** If you really feel lonely, let's go to Jeju island on a blue night under the stars. ** Let's go together. There's nothing so h...

A traditional herbal medicine clinic, '한방치료'

Have you ever received treatment at a traditional herbal medicine clinic? I have received it several times. At this time last year, when I tried to pick up something on the living room floor, my hip went out. I stayed in bed all day because I had hip pain. Next morning, I went to the traditional herbal medicine clinic. While I was waiting, I worried so much about getting acupuncture. When I was a child I had ever gotten acupuncture. I couldn't forget the fear even though there was little pain. When my name was called, I saw a doctor and explained to him in detail about my hip pain. First, he felt my pulse and then I followed a nurse to the other room(=to another room) and lied face down on the bed to get acupuncture. Finally, after a warm towel was put on my back, I got acupuncture in my right foot and right hand each with one needle. I couldn't move for about 20 minutes. Suddenly, the doctor came to me. I thought that my treatment would be finished. It was my mistake. I got ac...

Good Korean language sites for foreigners, '외국인을 위한 괜찮은 한국어 공부 사이트'

http://www.learnkoreanlp.com/ http://www.talktomeinkorean.com/ http://rki.kbs.co.kr/learn_korean/lessons/e_index.htm http://rki.kbs.co.kr/learn_korean2/english/ http://www.korean-course.com/index.en.php?page=index http://speller.cs.pusan.ac.kr/ http://lang-8.com/

Seeing myself in the past, '과거 속의 나를 돌아보기'

How would you feel if you read your writing in a book which you found by chance? How would you feel if you read the thing that you had never shown anybody? How would you feel if you found your past self in there after so many years? .......... Reading it today, I feel around that part of the past. I am ashamed of myself because my earnest desire seems to be caught by someone. I think that everybody has also experienced the similar thing in your heart of hearts. In the distant future I may see myself of another past in the book./////// 우연히 꺼내든 책 한 자락에서 직접 쓴 글귀를 읽는다면 어떤 기분이 들까요? 혼자만 보며 아무에게도 보여주지 않았던 그 글귀를 읽는다면 어떤 기분이 들까요? 아주 많은 시간이 흘러 과거의 내 모습을 그 안에서 본다면 어떤 기분이 들까요? 오늘 그 글귀를 읽으며 과거의 끝자락을 더듬어보네요. 그때의 간절한 내 마음이 들킨 것 같아 쑥쓰러워요. 누구나 한번쯤은 마음 깊숙이 이런 글을 쓰지 않았을까하는 생각이 들어요. 그리고 먼 훗날 우연히 꺼내든 책 한 자락에서 또 다른 저의 과거를 볼지도 몰라요.

Fishing and catching brown turban shells, '낚시하기랑 보말잡기'

Last time it was sunny so I went to the beach with my family to fish and catch brown turban shells. My children have caught some brown turban shells in the past so they seemed to find them easily. Whenever they found them under the rock, they looked at them curiously and shouted. We caught a lot of brown turban shells. After catching them, we fished with two fishing rods which were made of bamboo. The fishing rods were good to catch the fish hiding in the water between the rocks. A man near our family caught over twenty fish. After a while I also caught two fish. At first I thought that the fish hook got caught between the rocks, but the fish was caught by the fish hook. I think that people seem to like to fish because of the similar feeling. /////// 지난번에 날씨가 화창해서 가족들과 바닷가에 가서 보말도 잡고 낚시를 했어요. 바닷가에서 보말을 잡은 적이 있던 아이들은 쉽게 보말을 찾는 것 같았어요. 아이들은 바위에 붙어있는 보말을 찾을 때마다 신기한 듯 “우와!” 하면서 소리를 질렀어요. 우리는 보말을 많이 잡았어요. 보말을 다 잡은 후 우리 가족은 낚시를 했어요. 대나무를 잘라 만든 가느다란 낚시대였는데 보통 낚시대랑 틀렸어요. 구멍 사이의 물속에 숨어있는 물...

A strange nightmare!, '이상한 악몽'

One night when I was 15 years old, I had a strange nightmare. In my dream, I was watching a funny cartoon on TV with my sister and my brother. While we were still watching my mom asked me to buy some vegetables at an outdoor market. In fact I didn't want to go there because it was such a long way away and I had heard a rumor about a ghost's house on the way. But I had to go there to avoid my mom's nagging. On the way to the market, I met a forked road. One way was a shortcut, but nobody wanted go there because a strange woman lived in that direction. The other road was really long, so it would take a long time to get to the market. I wanted to watch the cartoon on TV again so I chose the shortcut to go back home soon. I walked in a hurry. As I walked I noticed a small house and a strange woman drawing water from the wall. She was dressed in white morning cloths and was letting her long hair down her back. Suddenly our eyes met. I was very nervous and scared. I realized th...

'Frozen', '겨울왕국'

My youngest daughter really wanted to watch the animation, 'Frozen', so yesterday I went to the theater to watch it with my daughters. My eyes were fixed to the beautiful scenes and I was also immersed in the music. I especially loved the OST, 'Let it go'. After I came home, I listened to the music several times. This animation is a story about two sisters Ellsa and Anna. The Elder sister, Ellsa had a special talent that everything she touched with her hands was changed into ice. That is why her parents concealed her from people, even her younger sister, Anna. After her parents died of shipwreck, she came out of her room to succeed to the throne. But everybody knew her special talent and was afraid of her. She was also afraid of herself so she went to the top of a mountain. Then the whole wide world was soon frozen. Her sister Anna went to find her because she believed that only Elssa could turn the frozen world back to the former times. Are you curious about the next ...

A bag of snacks, ‘과자 한 봉지’

A woman bought a bag of snacks and a magazine at a snack bar when she waited for her flight. She had some time so she was reading the magazine while sitting in the waiting room. After a short while, she looked to the side where there was some rustling sound. A man next to her was opening the bag of snacks that she just put down on the chair. She was very surprised, but she felt too awkward to say anything, so she just picked a snack and ate it. He looked so calm and natural. When she had one then he also had one. They ate the snacks together. At last there was only one snack left. He picked the last one. He noticed that there was only one snack left in the bag so he divided it into half, put the half in the bag again and ate the other half. And then he got up with a smile. "How shameless he was!" she said. She was annoyed with his attitude. When she got on the plane, she was still very angry. But what a surprise! When she opened her paper bag to take out some kleenexes for h...

Dreams, ' 꿈!'

A few years ago, I watched a Korean lady, Kim Su-young(김수영), in an interview on a TV program. I already knew of her because last winter I watched a video of her on the internet giving a lecture at a University. At that time, I just though of her as a woman who encourages people to achieve their dreams. But this time, I learned more about her. She was once very poor because her father had failed his business. And she became a bad girl who got in trouble for fighting, so she was expelled from high school. One day she realized that her future could be changed into something better because she was still young, even though her appearance looked very poor. Since then, she started studying again and took a school qualification examination for high school, then she entered a university. She was already dreaming of becoming a reporter. In the end her dream came true as a worker with a good salary. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with cancer. Fortunately her cancer was in its early stage and...

I am broke!, '땡전 한 푼 없다!'

When we don't have any money, not even 1 coin, we say "땡전 한 푼 없다," in Korean, or "I am broke," in English. In 1866 King Gojong's father, 흥성대원군 put a new currency, 당백전(Dangbakjeon)in circulation. Too much 당백전 was put into circulation so the worth of the money became low and prices rose. For this reason, people truncated 당백전(Dangbakjeon) into 당전(Dangjeon) and pronounced 땅전(Ddangjeon) with a strong accent. And then people pronounced 땅전((Ddangjeon) into as 땡전(Ddaengjeon) with a strong accent again. And then people pronounced 땅전(Ddangjeon) as 땡전(Ddaengjeon) with a strong accent again. 푼 means 1 brass coin. ..... 우리가 지금 당장 돈이 없을 때 심지어 동전 한 개도 없을 때 이렇게 말을 해요. 1866 고종의 아버지 흥성대원군이 당백전을 발행했어요. 당백전이 너무 많이 발행되어서 돈의 가치는 떨어졌고 물가는 올랐어요. 이런 이유로 사람들은 당백전을 당전이라 줄여서 땅전 이라고 세게 발음을 했어요. 그리고 사람들은 다시 땅전을 땡전으로 다시 강하게 발음했어요. 푼은 동전 한 개를 의미해요.

My favorite Korean poem!, '서시'

I am so glad to introduce my favorite poem to you. First, let me explain about Korean history a little. Korea has a five-thousand-year history and culture. But Korea was once a colony of Japan from 1910 to 1945. So we lost everything. Even worse, was that Korean people weren't allowed to write in Korean alphabets, 한글 and we were forced to speak Japanese, too. For this reason, most writers secretly wrote writings that contained their desire of Korea's independence. Aside from this, they also couldn't express their wishes directly during the dark literary ages. So their poems were written by various figurative locutions. Have you ever heard about a poet, Yun Dong Joo? His poems are very popular and some of them are introduced in Korean textbooks even now. He was born on December 30, 1917. He wrote a poem, 서시 on November 20, 1941 when he was 25 years old. Later he was imprisoned for being involved in the anti-Japanese movement in July of 1943. He died as a result of the det...

Walls have ears, '낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다.'

There is a Korean proverb called "낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다." 낮말 means "talking in the afternoon". 밤말 means "talking in the evening". 새 means "bird" and 쥐 means "rat". 듣다 means "hear". When we have a conversation in the afternoon, birds can hear what we say. In the evening, rats can hear what we say. This proverb teaches us 2 lessons. First, we have to be careful while talking even though nobody seems to be there. Second, any secret will leak out someday.

Korean Mask, Tal , '한국 탈!'

There are various kinds of masks in Korea. Have you ever heard ‘탈’? “탈” means 'mask' in Korean. Let me introduce the Hahoe Tal in Andong city. The Hahoe Tal is the only set of masks designated as a national treasure (No.121). It is highly regarded highly as a masterpiece in the area of mask art as well as a Korean cultural asset. There were 14 masks in the Hahoe Tal : Two Jusi Tal, Gaksi Tal, Yangban Tal, Seonbi Tal, Jung Tal, Baekjeong Tal, Choraengi Tal, Halmi Tal, Imae Tal, Bune Tal, Chonggak Tal, Byeochae Tal and Ddeodari Tal. But Byeochae Tal, Ddeodari Tal and Chonggak Tal were lost and not handed down. Some of Hahoe Tal, Yangban Tal, Seonbi Tal, Jung Tal and Baekjeong Tal have a special function: they have movable lower jaws, while other masks don't For example, if a performer, wearing a mask, bends his head back, his mouth will open wide so that he looks like he is smiling. If he bends his head forward, his mouth will close so he looks angry. ................. 한국에는...

'Imae tal' without a jaw, '턱이 없는 이매탈'

Do you see a mask, 'Imae tal', without a jaw? Let me tell you a sad folk tale about the Imae tal. Once upon a time a young man in a village, Heo, was ordered by a mountain god to go on a mission to make masks. So he started making masks. But nobody could see him making masks because he set strings around his workroom to stop people from coming in. One day, a girl who loved Heo wanted to see him a lot. So she peeped into his workroom. Just then, Heo spat blood and died on the spot. Unfortunately, he couldn't complete the last of the Hahoe Tal, the Imae Tal. In the end, only Imae Tal has been handed down without a jaw. Imae Tal represents the role of the fool in a play. ..... 턱이 없는 이매탈이 보이나요? 이매탈에 관한 슬픈 전설을 소개할게요. 옛날 어느 마을에 살고 있는 젊은 청년 허 도령이 산신령에게서 탈을 만들라는 계시를 받았어요. 그래서 그는 탈을 만들기 시작했어요. 그러나 아무도 그가 탈을 만드는 것을 볼 수 없었어요. 왜냐하면 그는 작업실 근처에 사람들이 들어올 수 없게 줄을 쳤기 때문이에요. 어느 날 허 도령을 매우 사모했던 한 처녀가 허 도령을 매우 보고 싶어 했어요. 그래서 그녀는 몰래 그의 작업실을 엿보았어요. 바로 그때 허 도령은 피를 토하면서 그 자리에서 죽었어요. 불행히도 그는 하...

Korean chess, 'Janggi', '한국 장기'

Korean chess called Janggi is a traditional game of the Orient. It is played by dividing into 2 teams, Chong and Hong. The side that captures the General of the opposing team first will win the game. Janggi was a game that Buddhist monks of India in the middle of practicing asceticism. They played it when they were taking a rest for a while. It spread to China from India. The present Korean Janggi was made in China in 951~953. It spread to Korea from China during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). In November of 1956, 한국기도원 was founded to develop Janggi systematically and it was renamed to 한국장기원 in 1967. Its name was changed again 한국장기협회 again in 1973 and It has had that name until now. Its name was renamed again to 한국장기협회 in 1973 and it has been until is still named that now today.(=It was renamed again to 한국장기협회 in 1973 and it is still named that today.) *** How to play *** If an opponent's piece is in a position where my piece moves to then, my object captures it. There a...

Changing social attitudes, '사회인식의 변화'

10 years ago, there was a major social issue - a TV actor came out of the closet in Korea. Since then, he had to give up 'his normal life' and 'the life of a TV actor'. At that time, lots of people were shocked by his words because he was a famous TV actor. Most homosexuals avoided coming out in public because Korean society was still more socially conservative than other nations. For this reason, many people thought that his decision was rash, while other people admired his courage. It took 3 years for him to come back on TV. Now he is doing furiously active on TV. I heard the news that he broke up with his partner a few days ago. Based on this, Korean society seems to be becoming more tolerant than before. ...... 10년 전 한국에 한 배우의 ‘커밍아웃’이라는 큰 사회적 논란이 있었다. 그때 이후, 그는 TV 배우의 삶뿐만 아니라 평범함 삶도 포기 해야만 했다. 그 당시, 많은 사람들이 그의 말에 매우 놀랐다. 왜냐하면 그는 유명한 탤런트였기 때문이다. 대부분의 동성애자들은 사람들 앞에 자신들이 동성애자라고 밝히길 꺼려했는데 왜냐하면 한국사회는 아직도 다른 나라들에 비해 좀 더 보수적이었기 때문이다. 이런 이유로 많은 사람들이 그의 결정은 무모한 짓이다라고 생각...

A monk, Ajan Brahma, '아잔 브람 스님'

Enlightenment, '깨달음' A monk, Ajan Brahma, who came from England had once helped build a Buddhist temple in Thailand. He had never built a house so it was not easy for him to lay 1000 bricks evenly. While laying bricks, he misplaced 2 bricks so he tried to correct them but he couldn't because the cement already set. After completing the wall, when he saw the 2 protruding bricks, he was ashamed of himself so he felt like destroying the wall. Whenever visitors visited the temple, he led them himself so as not to show them the wall. One day while a visitor was looking around the temple, he saw the wall by chance and he praised it. Ajan Brahma was very surprised and he asked the visitor "Don't you see the 2 protruding bricks". " "Yes, I do. But I also see the 998 beautiful bricks” said the visitor. At that moment, Ajan Brahma reflected on himself who missed seeing the other 998 bricks because he only focused on the 2 badly placed bricks. Besides, “In th...

A story of an elderly couple, '어느 노부부 이야기'

One day, an elderly couple got divorced. Each of them met their friends and talked about their lives when they had lived with each spouse. The woman said, "I had never been happy while living with him. For example, when we had chicken, although I like wings, he would give me the chicken legs. It seems funny like with the chicken, he was always very selfish. I was as good as a marginal person." The man said, "I tried to give her a lot, but she seemed to be full of complaints. She seldom expressed her opinion about something bad so I still don't know why we got divorced. However, I did do my best to give everything to her. When we had chicken, I gave her my favorite chicken legs and I had the chicken wings....." I heard that more elderly couples are getting divorced these days. After reading the story of the elderly couple, I think I know the reason a little bit. Is there a couple who knows each other well by looking into each others' eyes? Is it possibl...

My letter of self-introduction 4 years ago, '4년 전 자기소개서'

I found an old essay of a letter of self-introduction that I had written 4 years ago. I am still happy to learn English!! ................... * 안녕하세요. 제 취미는 피아노 연습하기, 캥핑가기, 여행가기, 사진찍기, 영어공부하기예요 주말에 날씨가 좋으면 가족들과 캠핑하러 가요. 주로 가는 야영장은 성읍에 있는 모구리 야영장이에요. 야외에서 먹는 식사는 꿀맛이에요. 밤에 하늘에 있는 별을 보는 것 또한 또다른 즐거움이에요. 무엇보다도 가족들과 대화하는 시간이 많아져서 좋은 것 같아요. ........ Hi, My hobbies are practicing the piano, going camping, taking a trip, taking photographs and learning English. If the weather is fine on the weekend, I go camping with my family. The campground we usually go to is Moguri in Seongyoup. Eating outdoors is very delicious. Seeing the stars at night is also another pleasure. Most of all, it seems great to talk with my family....... * 저는 가족들과 여행하는 것을 좋아해요. 제주도는 관광도시라서 매년 여러 가지의 축제가 있어요. 그래서 가족들과 가서 재밌게 놀다가 와요. 물론 사진도 많이 찍어요. 저는 사진 찍는 것을 좋아해요. 좋은 카메라를 갖고 있지는 않지만 핸드폰이나 갤탭으로 사진이나 동영상을 찍어요. ..... I like taking a trip with my family. Jeju is one of tourist cities. Every year there are severa...

Even brushing past a person is one's karma. '옷깃만 스쳐도 인연'

There's an old saying that says even brushing past a person is one's karma. Buddhism says that it's very difficult to meet again in this life time if there isn't a special connection in a previous life. Haven't you ever come across a person by chance without making promises on the earth living billions of people? The unit of brushing past a person is 'Gup' this means the time from the beginning of the world to next beginning of the world. It takes 500gup to brush past a person. You and I must have had a special relationship and have taken at least 500gup to meet here........ 옛말에 ‘옷깃만 스쳐도 인연’이란 말이 있어요. 불가에서는 전생에 특별한 연이 없으면 현생에서 만나기 힘들다고 말해요. 수십억명이 살고 있는 이 지구상에 여러분은 약속을 하지 않았는데도 아주 우연히 마주친 사람은 없었나요? 옷깃이 스치는 인연은 ‘겁’이라는 단위로 설명하여 겁은 천지가 한번 개백하고 다음 개백이 시작할 때까지의 시간을 뜻해요. 옷깃이 한 번 스치는데 500겁의 시간이 걸려요. 부부는 7000겁, 부모 자식 간은 8000겁, 스승과 제자는 10,000겁. 저와 여러분의 관계도 적어도 500겁 이상의 인연이 쌓여 여기서 만났음이 틀림없네요..... * Husband and Wife - 7,000gup * Parents and Child - 8,000gup * Teac...

The touching story of the kites, '감동적인 솔개 이야기'

The kite is known for being a long-lived bird, whose lifespan is about 70 years.When the kite is 40 years old, its talons age and its beak grows long and bends. Then it is no longer able to hunt and or to fly high. At this time, it waits for death or else it has to endure dreadful pain. It goes to the top of the mountain to build a nest and it hits the rock to break its beak. After enduring the pain, it can't eat anything until a new beak grows. And when a new beak grows, the kite picks all of its talons with its beak. When new talons grow, it picks all of its feathers off with its talons then new feathers come up 6 months later. After enduring all this pain, the kite can live for another 30years. "You have to make a bold decision when you choose something.", "If you were the kite, what would you decide to do?"....... 솔개는 가장 장수하는 조류로 알려져 있는데 최고 70년의 수명을 누릴 수 있다고 해요. 솔개는 약 40년이 되면 발톱이 노화되고 부리도 길게 자라 구부러져요. 그러면 사냥도 잘 할 수 없고 날개가 무거워져 하늘로 높이 날아오를 수 없다고 해요. 이때 ...

A good story!