Archive for 'Culture'
Who Makes Your Luck Posted by Flying Oyster on Mar 21, 2019
I was talking to my best friend little after Chinese New Year’s Day. She reflected how tough the last three years had been. She was wishing that this coming year would be a lucky year since she is a dog in Chinese zodiac characters. In Korea, we celebrate the New Year’s Day by following the…
The Culture of Exploiting Status and Position in Korea Posted by Flying Oyster on Mar 11, 2019
When I visited Korea last time, I met my childhood friends who I hadn’t seen for a long time. As soon as we settled down on the table, we all became chatty as if we were in a talking competition. One of my dear friends started talking about how tiring and unhappy she had been…
Abnormal Summit, a Unique Korean TV Show Posted by Kyung-Hwa on Sep 6, 2017
Are you trying to keep up with learning Korean, but losing your motivation to study Korean? How about watching a Korean TV show that is filled with humor and hosts fluent Korean speakers from around the world? You might be able to picture yourself at their level of fluency in Korean someday. If they can…
7 Cultural Mistakes to Avoid in South Korea Posted by Kyung-Hwa on Aug 16, 2017
There is a saying, “When in Rome do as the Romans do.” Knowing what is acceptable or not acceptable in the country where you are traveling will make your trip more enjoyable. If you plan to visit South Korea and need some cultural advice on some cultural don’ts, the following list will become useful to…
Brrr! Winter in Seoul, South Korea Posted by Kyung-Hwa on Dec 21, 2016
What is winter like in Seoul, South Korea? Why don’t we explore the winter weather, wardrobe, and related vocabulary? 감기 조심하세요! (Be careful not to catch a cold!) This is a common expression that Korean people use during the winter months. What is the winter weather like in Seoul, South Korea? South Korea has four…
Let’s Talk About Thanksgiving In Korean Posted by Kyung-Hwa on Nov 16, 2016
As you are aware, one of America’s biggest holidays, 추수감사절 (Thanksgiving) is around the corner. Even though your Korean friends might have heard of the word 추수감사절 (Thanksgiving), many of them are not quite familiar with this holiday tradition: when, what to eat, what to do, or why people celebrate this holiday. American Thanksgiving will…
That Was Awkward: North and South Korean Language Barriers Posted by Tony Kitchen on Oct 5, 2016
There is a very good chance you will never meet, let alone speak Korean to, a North Korean (북한국인). But if you did meet, say, a defector or diplomat, chances are you would test out your Korean (한국어) in order to build a trust and strike common ground, right? But would they understand your South Korean? Last…