Actually, my birthday was this month. 🍰 Isn’t my birthday cake cute? What do people eat or do on birthdays in your country? In Korea, there is not really something you absolutely “have to do” on your birthday. But there is one food that many Koreans feel you “should eat.” It is miyeokguk. Miyeokguk…
Raise your hand if you are confident with spicy food! 🙋🏻♀️ In Korea, there are two words: “맵다(Mep-tta)” and “매콤하다(Mae-kom-ha-da).” “맵다(Mep-tta)” means spicy. It is usually used when something is clearly spicy, and sometimes even a little hard to eat. “매콤하다(Mae-kom-ha-da).” is a little softer. It means that the food has some spiciness, but…
Have you ever heard of “Temple Stay”? Korea does not have an official state religion, but Buddhism has had a big influence on Korean culture and history. About 16% of the population is Buddhist. For reference, about 50% of Koreans have no religion. Until not too long ago, many people thought of temples as…
In Korea, people use scissors a lot when cutting food. Korean food is very diverse, so Koreans tend to use whatever cooking tool is the most convenient for each ingredient or dish. If you use a knife, you usually need a cutting board. But if you use scissors, you do not need a cutting…
Following the last post, let’s learn how to ask for help when you get lost. Sometimes, you may feel confused after getting on a subway or bus in Korea. So today, let’s learn some Korean phrases you can use in that situation. Where am I? Use this when you do not know which station…
Today, let’s practice using the Korean adjective “섭섭하다.” 섭섭하다 Dictionary Pronunciation: Seop-seop-ha-da Easy Pronunciation: Suhp-suhp-ha-da As I explained in the last post, “섭섭하다” is a Korean adjective that is almost impossible to translate directly into English. In the dictionary, “섭섭하다” means: “To feel unhappy or dissatisfied because something did not meet your expectations.” It…
There is a Korean word that is almost impossible to translate directly into English. It is “섭섭하다.”, “서운하다.” 섭섭하다 Dictionary Pronunciation: Seop-seop-ha-da Easy Pronunciation: Suhp-suhp-ha-da 서운하다 Dictionary Pronunciation: Seo-un-ha-da Easy Pronunciation: Suh-oon-ha-da Both words describe a disappointed or hurt feeling that comes from something not meeting your expectations. If you look closely, the nuances…
Koreans use the word “우리 (woo-ri)” a lot. “우리” means “our” or “us.” For example, how do you refer to your own country? “My country”? In Korea, people usually say “우리나라.(woo-ri-na-ra)” It literally means “our country.” Of course, it does not mean that Korea belongs only to a certain group of people. It is…
Today, let’s talk about the Hangang River. The Hangang River is probably the most famous river in Korea, right? The Hangang flows through Seoul, and there are many parks along the river. When people think of Hangang Park, many of them probably think of Yeouido Hangang Park first. But actually, there are more than…
What did Korea look like in its modern history?🇰🇷 Personally, I really like museums that show Korea’s modern and contemporary past. Whenever I visit places like this, I somehow feel nostalgic for a time I have never actually experienced. Recently, I visited “Cheongchun Museum” in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do. I have been to a modern history…