Korean Greetings

Hello everyone! Today we’re going to learn some important Korean greetings. The most basic and frequently used greeting is an-nyung-ha-se-yo (안녕하세요). An-nyung-ha-se-yo (안 녕하세요) means hello. You might be surprised to know that there is no separate greeting for good morning, good afternoon or good evening. Whether it’s the morning, afternoon or evening, you just use the phrase an-nyung-ha-se-yo (안녕하세요).

There is one exception. For the phrase ‘good night’ it’s more natural to use the phrase jal ja-yo (잘 자요). This literally means sleep well. Now some Koreans from time to time might use the phrase jo-un a-chim (좋은 아침). Jo-un a-chim (좋 은 아침) means good morning. However, the predominant method for saying good morning is still an-nyung-ha-se-yo (안녕하세요). I tell my students to just learn the phrase an-nyung-ha-se-yo (안 녕하세요) because it’s easier to remember and the more common greeting that Koreans use to say good morning.

Also, if you want to ask someone how they have been you can use the phrase an-nyung-ha-shim-ni-kka (안녕하십니까). This phrase is on the formal level. You can also say ’how are you’ as jal ji-nes-sum-ni-kka (잘 지넸습니까). While jal ji-nes-sum-ni-kka (잘 지넸습니까) is still formal, it’s a little less formal than an-nyung-ha-shim-ni-kka (안녕하십니까).

While there is only one phrase used to say hello, there are actually two phrases that you could use to say good-bye in Korean. Each phrase depends on the situation and the person you are talking to. For example, if you say good-bye to your professor in the hallway and the professor is physically walking away from you, you would use the phrase an-nyung-hi ka-se-yo (안녕히 가세요). However, if you say good-bye to your professor in his/her office and the professor stays put at his/her desk, you would say an-nyung-hi-ke-se-yo (안녕히 계세요). As you’ve noticed, whether the person is leaving or staying put, determines the specific good-bye greeting used.

If you want to be less formal when you say good-bye, use the phrase an-nyung (안녕). This phrase can be used whether the person you’re talking to is staying or leaving; it doesn’t matter. However, don’t use this phrase when you’re talking to someone older than you or someone you don’t know that well. While saying good-bye using an-nyung (안녕) is easier to remember, it can only be used with certain people. One way I try to remember which good-bye greeting to use is by the verb stem. The greeting used for people who are leaving contains the verb stem ka (가) which means ‘to go’ while the good bye used for people who are staying contains the verb stem ke (계) which means ‘to be.’ They are very subtle in sound, so make sure you know the difference between the two good-byes.

Ok everyone, I have to go, so for now I’m going to say daume bayo (다 음에 봐요) or see you next time!

Top 3 Korean Rice Cakes

여러분 안녕하세요! (yorobun an-nyung-ha-se-yo) 여러분 = everyone. 안녕하세요 = hello. Hello everyone! Today’s post will be a top three countdown from my third favorite to my number one favorite rice cake of all time. We will count down in Sino-Korean numbers and introduce my favorite rice cakes at the same time.

Coming in 삼 (sam) 등 (dung): (삼 등 = third place.) is patinjolmi (팥 인절미). Patinjolmi (팥인절미) is made from white rice and chapssal (찹쌀) or glutinous rice. After the white rice and chapssal (찹쌀) is mixed together, it is steamed in a rice cooker until it becomes soft. After it’s cooled, it’s pounded on a flat wooden board called an anban (안반). Once that’s finnished it’s rolled in powdered soybeans called pat (팥). I like this rice cake because you can reheat it later and still have the softness and taste of soybeans preserved. It can get a little messy eating it though. Sometimes the powder falls all over the place, but it’s a fun activity to do with the kids.

In 이 (e) 등 (dung): (이 등 = second place ) is bek-sol-ki (백설기). Bek-sol-ki (백설기) means white snow in Korean. First you soak the rice and mepssal (맵쌀) overnight and drain the water afterwards. Then you pound it into little pieces with a jolgu (절 구) and a jolgutkongi (절굿공이). A jolgu (절 구) is a mortar while a jol-gut-kong-i (절굿공이) is a pestle. When the pieces start to look like little snowflakes, add some sugar and starch. Then steam it in a siru (시루) or a earthenware steamer. It’s the most simple and basic rice cake out there, but it’s still sweet and tasty.

Lastly, coming in 일 (il) 등 (dung): (일 등 = first place) is ggul-ddok (꿀떡) which means honey rice cake in Korean. First, boil some hot water in a sot (솥) or a cauldron. Then mix the white rice and mepssal (맵쌀). After that, let it cool. When it cools down knead the dough into miniature round balls. Poke a small hole in the balls and pour some Korean candy syrup in it. Then close the balls with some more dough. Make sure you add some grease to the balls so that they don’t stick to each other. I love this rice cake because its sweet, tiny and cute to look at. You can add some food coloring to make it more festive as well.

One thing that you might have noticed is that the main ingredient in rice cakes is rice. Duh! It just goes to show how important rice is to the Korean cuisine. Not only is rice a staple crop but a form of dessert as well. You’ll also notice that a lot of Korean rice cakes have minimal amounts of sugar; especially when you compare it to American cakes. Therefore, if you’re worried about calories, a typical Korean rice cake will contain far fewer calories than a typical American cake with icing. Unfortunately, Korean rice cakes contain a lot of carbohydrates, (It’s starting to show on my hips! I need to work out!) but as long as you have it occasionally it shouldn’t contribute to a significant weight gain.

Korean Proverb Of The Day

Every month starting from this month I plan on creating a monthly series of Korean proverbs. This Korean proverbs series will help you understand the Korean culture and language a little better each time you learn a new proverb. Hopefully you’ll look forward to this series and learn from it as well.

Today’s proverb is “두 손에 떡” (du soneh ddok). To clarify its meaning let’s break this proverb into digestable parts. 두 = two. 손 = hand. 떡 = rice cake. Altogether it refers to a person who holds two rice cakes in each hand and is unable to eat the rice cakes properly because both hands are occupied. In other words, your greed can prevent you from becoming efficient because instead of doing things one at a time or eating the rice cake one at a time, you want to do it all at once or eat both rice cakes at all once with both hands.

This proverb accurately reflects the value Koreans place on doing things at their suggested time, in order, one after another. The English phrase “haste makes waste” is very similar in meaning to this Korean proverb, except for the fact that it has more to do with overambicion leading to inefficiency. In fact, many Korean proverbs have English equivalents, but not all are as clear in meaning as the one we just looked at today.

Some proverbs have hidden meanings so as not to offend anyone, especially the aristocracy. The use of Korean proverbs goes way back when criticizing a noble could warrant death or imprisonment. Therefore, Korean proverbs are used to this day to criticize people indirectly. However, many educated people know the complex meaning behind some popular proverbs, so your use of a proverb may not be so indirect. At the very least though, when you use a proverb, you’ll look erudite and fluent in Korean. I guess you could call it a higher form of trash talking, especially when you want to comment on a situation or a person!

Night Markets

f you’re ever in South Korea don’t forget to stop by some of the most vibrant and busiest night markets in Korea.

Without further ado let me introduce you to the Namdemun (남대문) Market. Namdemun (남대 문) is one of the oldest marketplaces in Korea. You’ll find clothes, souvenir items like figurines, hair pins, and jewelry. A lot of the items are cheaper than what you would find in a retail store. If you really want the best value for your money, go to the market between the hours of 12am to 4am. The streets of Namdemun (남대문) are less crowded at these hours; which means less customers and more sellers who are willing to lower their prices in a last bid attempt to sell their goods.

Next, let’s go to the Busan-kong-dong-o-shi-jang (부산공동어시장) which is the Busan Cooperative Fish Market. This market is the largest seafood market in Korea. They have all sorts of fish and seafood like seaweed, oysters, octupus, squid and eels. I gotta warn you though, the smell can be umm…how should I say…interesting. Well, simply put, the Busan (부 산) fish market has a fishy, seawater sort of smell. For first time visitors, this may be a bit overwhelming.

If you want a sweet deal on electronic goods, go to the Yongsan (용산) market. It has a variety of name brand computers, CD players, Ipods, video games and office equipement. While Youngsan (용산) is known to sell its products within a store rather than outside on the street sidewalk, you can still haggle over prices. In fact, some items do not have a price tag because it’s expected that the customer will haggle over it. Also, a lot of sellers at Yongsan (용산) will allow you to test out the machine before you buy it. The only thing is, just don’t break anything!

Maybe you’re more into antiques. Well then, let me guide you to Insadong (인사동) Market. Insadong (인사동) has all the traditional Korean ceramics, paintings and furniture you could possibly ever want. It’s really the place to go for anything traditional. A word of warning though, it can be a bit pricey. The goods are hand made, so some of them cost in the thousands while the most expensive can reach into the millions. If you want something more affordable, they have these miniature porcelain vases that you can get as souvenirs. Even if you don’t get to buy anything, just take a look around. So much of traditional Korean culture and art is alive in Insadong (인사동).

Since these markets are not traditional shops, you can haggle with the seller to get a discount. If the seller makes a ridiculous offer, sometimes customers will use the phrase, “바가지 씌우지 마세요” (bagaji shiuji maseyo). This phrase literally means, “don’t put a bucket over my head” which is similar to the English phrase “to put the wool over someone’s eyes.” You’ll also find that a lot of these markets are open past 12am. So if you want to beat the morning and afternoon rush, you can take a leisurely stroll in the wee worning hours. How fun! For some of you this is a good excuse to stay up past curfew!

Korean Numbers

In general, the Korean number system can be quite complicated. What many people don’t realize is that the Korean number system has two distinct number systems. Each system is used for different purposes. Sounds complicated right? Don’t worry, I’m here to help everyone out. I’ll point out the differences between the two systems, when to use them and the irregularities or pitfalls you need to avoid when using the number system.

Let’s begin with the native Korean numbers. Native Korean numbers are only used to express numbers 1-99. It should also be noted that numbers 1-49 are the most commonly used in native Korean numbers. For example, let’s say that someone asks “몇 살이에요?” (myot saliehyo?) 몇 means how many and 살 (sal) is the counter for age or put in another way it means “years old” while 이 에요 (iehyo) is the standard polite ending for nouns ending in a consonant. Altogether 몇 살이에요 (myot saliehyo) means ‘how old are you?’ Since 살 (sal) is the counter or classifier that requires a native Korean number, you would state your age in native Korean numbers. If you’re ages 1-49, you’ll probably use the native Korean numbers. You don’t have to, but most Koreans use the native Korean numbers if they are 1-49 years old.

Let’s say that you’re aged 50-100. You will most likely use the Sino-Korean numbers instead of the native Korean numbers. Again, you don’t have to use the Sino-Korean numbers for ages 50-99. However, most Koreans prefer to use numbers 50-99 with Sino-Korean numbers. For the number 100 which is pronounced as bek (백), you must use Sino-Korean numbers. There is no native Korean number equivalent for the number 100. Also, if you’re going to state your age in Sino-Korean numbers, you have to use the counter or classifer 세 (seh) instead of 살 (sal).

Ok, let’s review everything we learned so far. When you want to say I’m 15 years old in native Korean numbers you would say 열다섯 살이에요 (yol-dasot sal-i-eh-yo). However when you want to say I’m 15 years old in Sino-Korean numbers you would say 십오 세예요 (ship-o sehyeyo). As you’ve noticed, the counter determines whether you use native or Sino-Korean numbers. The counter for minutes which is 분 (bun) in Korean is always stated in Sino-Korean numbers. However the counter for hours which is 시 (shi) is always stated in native Korean numbers. There if you want to say 5 hours and 5 minutes which is another way of saying 5:05, you would say 열 다섯 시 오 분 (yol-dasot shi o bun).

So why are there two number systems? The answer to that is controversial. Koreans have always had the native Korean number system. However the Sino-Korean number system was developed later in Korea’s history. Some say it was imposed upon the Koreans by the Chinese. Whatever the reason, having two numbers systems can make things quite confusing. For example, telling time, as shown in the previous paragraph, is no easy feat.

As a general rule, anything having to do with the calendar, such as the months, days and years are in Sino-Korean numbers. Anything with objects, such as animals, people, furniture are native Korean numbers. Initially you’ll have to memorize when to use the Sino-Korean and native numbers, but the more you practice the more intuitive it becomes.

Let's Eat Meat!

Today’s post will introduce some of the most popular meat dishes in Korea. If you’re a vegetarian, this post is not for you. I’ll write about some Korean dishes without meat in a future post. In the meantime, please don’t report me to PETA. For all you meat eaters out there, this post will highlight some savory Korean dishes that I would highly recommend. So let’s get ready to eat meat!

Bulgogi (불고기) tops the list as one of the all time Korean favorites. Bulgogi (불고기) is beef that has been marinated with soy sauce, sugar, seasame oil and garlic. It’s usually grilled and depending on the restaurant, may cost about $15-30. Some people eat bulgogi (불고기) with lettuce and rice. The lettuce acts like a taco shell and the rice and bolgi (불고기) serve as the filling.

The next popular meat dish is kalbi (갈 비). Kalbi (갈비) is also a beef dish. However unlike bulgogi (불고기) kalbi (갈비) can be sparse in meat with thick bones inbetween the meat. Kalbi (갈비) is also less tender than bulgogi (불고기), while costing about the same or more than bulgogi (불고기). Like bulgogi (불고기), kalbi (갈비) is grilled and marinated and sometimes consumed with rice and vegetables. Carrots and onions are the most typically grilled with kalbi (갈비).

If you’re low on cash, try some samgyupsal (삼겹살). Samgyupsal (삼겹살) is not a beef dish. It’s actually a pork dish. Samgyupsal (삼겹살) looks a lot like American bacon, but thicker in texture. Samgyupsal (삼 겹살) is often grilled but not marinated. It’s consumed by dipping it in a sauce consisting of soy sauce, black pepper, vinegar and salt. Depending on the restaurant, it can be as cheap as $9 per plate. Typically people will order some soju (소주) or a Korean alcoholic beverage with samgyupsal (삼겹살). Since soju (소주) is relatively cheap as well ($1-2 per bottle), you can still get a full meal without destroying your wallet.

Maybe you’re more into seafood. Well then I would recommend sengsun-hwei (생선회). sengsun-hwei (생선회) is raw fish that has been thinly sliced. Sengsun-hwei (생선회) is marinated with rice wine, soy sauce and seasame oil. It is sometimes dipped in a spicy red pepper paste called kochujang (고추장). Depending on the quality of fish and the restaurant, it may cost around $17-25 per plate.

A lot of Korean meat dishes have two things in common. One is that they are often marinated and two, the use of soy sauce as a condiment or marinating sauce is preferred. Remember before you eat say the phrase, “chal mok ke sum ni da” or (잘 먹겠습니다). This phrase means, “I’ll eat it well” or “I’ll eat with delight.”

Korean Wave 'Hallyu' (한루)

Hallyu (한루) or the Korean wave, is a term that refers to the growing popularity of Korean entertainment, culture, food and language in other countries; particularly in East and Southeast Asia. The Korean wave can be traced back to the 1990s when audiences in China, Japan and Taiwan were first exposed to South Korean dramas. Korean dramas, pronounced as durama (드라마) in Korean, are essentially soap operas that last for about three months with around twenty episodes or so. Korean dramas are known to contain highly addicting plotlines. Naturally, stories of unrequited love, good guy versus bad, reeled in many East Asian fans.

Interestingly enough, Korean dramas became popular in Middle Eastern countries like Iran as well. With Korean dramas focused on family values and devoid of sexual content, Middle Eastern audiences were able to identify with some of the drama’s characters. One of the most notable of these dramas is called Jewel of the Palace or dae jang gum (대 장금). Dramas like dae jang gum (대장금) sparked an unprecented interest in Korean culture and put South Korea on the “map.”

With the export of Korean dramas, Korean music followed in popularity. Boy bands with flashy dances and upbeat rhythms soon captured female audiences. The most well known of these boy bands is dong bang shin ki (동방신기) a five member group consisting of songs that range from hip hop to more pop songs. Additionally, solo artists like Rain pronounced bi (비) in Korean, and Boa (보아) would rise to top the music charts and perform concerts in countries like Japan.

The Korean wave achieved three goals for South Korea. First, it cemented South Korea’s presence historically, on the world stage. Japan and China were no longer the only countries to dominate Asia socio-politically and economically. For the first time South Korea became a strong contender to challenge the Chinese and Japanese stronghold in Asia. Secondly, the South Korean economy prospered with the export of Korean goods. More people wanted to wear Korean clothes and eat Korean food while they were watching and listening to Korean music and dramas. With the rise in South Korean exports, Korea increased its trading presence in the world as well. Lastly, South Korea gained an upper hand in political and diplomatic affairs. In the past, countries like China and Japan looked down on Korea with contempt, but now efforts are being made in those respective countries to “reconcile” with South Korea. (This reminds me of a situation where the popular kid at school initially ignores you but then upon learning that you’re rich, the popular kid all of a sudden wants to be best buddies with you!)

As South Korea moves towards the future, and as problems mount in North Korea, whether South Korea likes it or not, it will have a greater role in world affairs in the coming years. So don’t be surprised to see South Korea in the news more often or Korean goods in supermarkets all across the U.S.!

North Korea

For the past couple of posts I’ve referred to the word “Korea” many times. For most of those times I’ve used “Korea” to refer to the Republic of South Korea. Today, I’m going to talk about North Korea. Now, before I begin, I just want to preface this blog by saying that I don’t want to get into a political discussion over whether “Korea” refers to both the South and North combined or whether it refers to the South alone. This post that I’m currently writing right now will refer to North Korea, or the country north of the Korean peninsula.

North Korea is a one party state, which means that Kim Jong-il the current leader of North Korea, is the head of state and the only leader of the state. Being that North Korea is a one party state, there are no elections and no opposing parties. Kim Jong-il will remain the head of state until he passes away or abdicates his power to a successor. The successor will most likely be his son or relative, operating much like the successor systems of kings and queens.

Moreover, North Korea follows a juche (주체) ideology that centers its focus on being a self reliant state. This means that there is no trade conducted among nations and no dissemination of media outside of North Korea. Any outside media that is permitted is strictly censored to adhere to North Korean policy. This is a good way to ensure that nobody talks behind the leader’s back or criticizes his policies. You are not allowed to even criticize something as trivial as Kim Jong-il’s outfit, which I must say, is probably the nightmare of many fashion forward stylists. I would go so far as to say that it is a green sometimes burlap colored outfit that does nothing to accentuate the good parts of your figure. (Not that I’m a fashion expert, but if I were him I’d get a wig, some height elevation shoes, and cut back on the sweets and fats.)

Ok, back to North Korea. (Sorry for going off topic there!) I think Americans take it for granted when they buy a foreign watch or rent a foreign movie. The juche (주체) ideology would seriously limit many aspects of our lives. For example, I would be half traumatized and go into a mental breakdown if I could not get updates on what happened on Prisonbreak or Heroes which happen to be two of my favorite tv shows. Oh, and I would be sad if I couldn’t listen to the news or buy foreign books as well. (Sort of).

Back again to North Korea (having a lot of trouble staying on topic today!) North Korea currently faces many daunting challenges as it enters the next century. Conflict with the U.S. over nucleur weapons and mass starvation and famine are some of the problems that plague the country. As the role of increasing technology, particularly the internet; spreads throughout the globe, only time will tell whether North Korea will be able to sustain its juche (주체) ideology.

Soju (소 주)

Now, enough with the serious posts and on with the fun posts! Today I’m going to talk about everybody’s favorite subject: alcohol. (Well, maybe not everybody’s favorite!) Since this is a Korean blog, let me introduce an alcoholic beverage native to Korea. It is called soju (소 주). Soju (소주) is mainly made from rice, but other starches such as potatoes and barley are sometimes used as well. Soju (소주) is usually clear in color, but some are fruit flavored and have artifical dyes that make them look red or green. The South Korean government prohibits the alcohol content of soju (소 주) to be above 35%. As a result, many sojus (소주) contain an average of about 20% of alcohol content.

Moreover, Korea is what I call a drinking culture. Now, I’m not saying that Korea is a nation of alcoholics! What makes an alcoholic? Well, I’m not sure, but Koreans don’t really have the stigma attached to alcohol like Americans do. What I mean is that soju (소주) is often a medium for people to bond in situations they would not normally have the opportunity to do at work. Employers and employees in Korea sometimes work overtime shifts without extra pay. Naturally stress and fatigue builds up, creating a need for people to let their hair down. Sometimes an employer may offer to treat his employees after a long day of work. Usually, employees accept, because accepting an offer to drink is seen as accepting someone’s trust and friendship.

The concept of going drinking with your employer may seem like an odd concept to Americans. In American society, there are certain boundaries carved out between one’s personal life and work life. In Korean society, these boundaries are less distinct. If you’re someone who likes to drink, you’ll do fine in Korea. If you’re not a particularly tolerant drinker like me and you refuse to drink often, you may offend some of your co-workers. Just to be polite, I would suggest that you take at least a sip and perhaps apologize with a jesonghapnida (죄송합니다) which means I’m sorry in Korean. You may also want to add, surul chal mot heyo (수를 잘 멋 해요) which literally means “I don’t really do alcohol well” with the intended meaning being that you aren’t an avid drinker.

If you do decide to go out drinking with your boss, here are some alcohol etiquette rules you should follow. When you pour a drink for your boss, make sure both hands touch the bottle. If both hands don’t touch the bottle, at least place your left hand on your right arm with your right hand pouring the drink. Using both hands is a sign of respect so remember to do that. Also, remember that it’s a bit direct and frank to drink with your face toward your boss. When you bring the glass to your lips, make sure you turn your head away from your boss at least 45 degrees away from your boss. Think of this way: since Koreans have a tendency to sit close together, drinking with the your face toward the other person would allow the person to see and hear you gulp down your drink, and that is just not an attractive sight!

So, have fun drinking and don’t forget to say konbe (건배) which means cheers!

Hangul (한글) Day

Hangul nal (한글 날) which in English means Hangul Day, is commemorated on the ninth of October. The word han (한) means Korean and the word kul (글) means script, while nal (날) = day. Altogether Hangul Day (한글 날) means Korean script day. Hangul Day commemorates the creation of the modern Korean alphabet system. The Korean alphabet contains 14 basic consonants and 10 vowels. In addition to these basic consonants and vowels, there are also 5 tensed consonants and 4 aspirated consonants. The Korean alphabet also contains some dipthongs as well, but enough about the alphabet. Let’s talk about the history of the Korean alphabet.

Hangul (한글) or the Korean alphabet, was made the official writing system in 1446 A.D during the reign of King Sejong. Before hangul (한글) was used, Koreans used to write in Chinese characters. Chinese characters were difficult to write, pronounce and read, so only the nobles were literate while the rest of the population remained iliterate. King Sejong was determined to close the gap between the noble and peasant class. He promoted the Korean alphabet as the official writing system, which allowed peasants to communicate with each other through writing. There were feverish cries of protest from the noble class, many who feared that they would lose their prestige and power with the introduction of hangul (한글). Despite protests the hangul (한글) system was a success. Some peasants were able to apply to low government positions and improve their standard of life. It just goes to show how important writing and reading is. Sometimes I think people take it for granted, especially in this age of numbers and science.

Whenever I teach hangul (한글) to my students, I always try to give them some kind of a mnemonic way to memorize the sounds with the letters. Here are some tips that I think will provide useful for those of you who are learning the Korean alphabet:

1) ᄂ has an “n” sound and the way I remember this is that the character loos like a person who is kneeling. The word kneeling is spelt with a k, but it is pronounced with an “n” sound. Therefore, even if it requires you to use your imagination, try to think of the way a letter looks with a way it sounds.

2) ᄆ has an “m” sound. This character reminds me of a mouth. Mouth begins with an “m” sound, which helps me to remember that ᄆ has an “m” sound.

3) ᄇhas a “b” sound. This character reminds me of a bed. This requires some imagination. The two ends of the bed are the bed posts while the horizontal line in the middle is the cot.

So, just like what I have done with the characters above, I encourage you to find ways of remembering the Korean alphabet with the way the characters look. It may be impossible to find an equivalent sound with a pictorial representation for every character, but at least you have your work cut out for you for the ones you do have equivalents for. So until the next post, happy learning!

Jungme kyoron (중매 결혼)

Jungme kyoron (중매 결혼) is an arranged marriage. Traditionally Koreans son bayo (손 봐요) or go on an arranged date or meeting with a potential marriage partner. Son bayo (손 봐요) literally means, to look at one’s hand. Son (손) means hand. Bayo = (look at, see). It dates back to the time when fortune tellers would “read” their clients’ palms to foretell of the future. In the same way, these arranged dates or meetings are used to determine whether the other person is suitable as a marriage partner. While jungme kyoron (중매 결혼) is an arranged marriage, it does not necessarily mean that one is forced to get married to a person he or she doesn’t like. There is considerable latitude over mate selection. Often people will go on several dates set up by a jungmejengi (중매쟁이) or matchmaker.

The jungmejeni (중매쟁이) hooks people up with similar backgrounds by considering such factors like educational status or hakbol (학벌) and the family’s social status and wealth. Of course many other factors are considered but these are the main two that are valued. Koreans do not generally feel comfortable marrying “below” themselves. Marrying “below” themselves would disrupt the social hierarchical system influenced by Confucius, not to mention the snickering that would be followed by such a marriage.

Nowadays, many Koreans are preferring to marry by love (연애 결혼) or rather are preferring to forgo marrying people based on their hakbol (학벌). While many South Koreans are choosing yuhne kyorlhon (연애 결혼) it should be noted that parents are still actively involved in the marriage selection process. A parent’s approval of a potential mate is key to whether a marriage will take place. It is not unusual for Korean couples to break up if one or both of the families do not agree to the marriage. In many ways choosing a mate is not a decision made by two people but rather a communal decision made by families. If a person goes against a parent’s will, that child may be disowned. As a result, the marriage process is not an easy process.

Once parents give their approval, some couples choose to hold a yakonshik (약혼식) or an engagement ceremony. These ceremonies are much like a real wedding ceremony. Yakonshiks (약 혼식) involve inviting guests in large ceremonial halls, with food catered and an exchange of rings. Yahkonshilks (약혼식) are a big deal and they are understood of as a serious expression of intent to walk down the aisle. Therefore, people do not casually break up with each other if they are engaged. Much time and money is wasted if couples were to break up due to cold feet or uncertainty. In sum, marriage is not a light matter in Korea and with the divorce rate rising in Korea, it will probably continue to be a serious issue.

Confucianism

Confucianism is a philosophical, political and ethical system that originated with a Chinese scholar named Confucius. Why am I talking about a Chinese scholar on a Korean blog? Well, since ancient times Confucius values have influenced Korea in several ways. Some of its values still remain in Korean society today.

For example, Confucius ideology places great emphasis on heirarchical relationships; an idea that may seem opposite to Western notions of egalitarianism. The scholar Confucius advocated the observance of filial piety called hyodo (효도) in Korean. Filial piety is respect for one’s parents, the elderly, and one’s ancestors. “Respect” for one’s parents, that seems like a familiar concept in American society, right? Well, it’s a little more complicated than that. Hyodo (효도) means that an offspring has a duty to fulfill his/her obligations to his/her parents. Why is there an innate obligation for a child to “serve” his/her parents? Well, it’s thought that a child should be greatful to his/her parents because without its parents a child would not have been able to exist in this world.

Under Confucius’s order of heirarchical relationships, children are always inferior in status. When a parent strikes a child’s face, the child must accept it, because the parent is always considered right. In American culture, this would be viewed as child abuse but Confucius would label it as “discipline.” In Korean society as well, teachers are considered superior in status to their students. Therefore a teacher’s “discipline” can range from hitting a student with a ruler or to any kind of social or verbal humiliation like making a child kneel on top of his/her desk with both arms raised. While teachers are respected and paid well in South Korea, they no longer hold the sort of power that they used to hold. Nowadays, South Korean parents are all too willing to sue teachers. As a result, teachers are using less physical means of controlling their students.

However, one Confucian value that is still practiced today is a ritual called jesa (제사). Jesa (제사) is a customary practice where one pays one’s respect to his/her dead ancestors. The customary practice of jesa (제사) consists of various foods placed on a table, which are given as offerings to the ancestors. The food is set on the table in strict accordance of rules. For example, fruits must be peeled at least partly, so as to help the ancestor consume the food much easier. Also, chopsticks are placed inside the rice bowl so that the ancestor will be able to eat it easier. It may not make much sense to Westerners, but it’s just a nice gesture or a way to show that one is thinking of the ancestor’s needs. Also, South Koreans will often perform a jol (절) or a deep bow where one’s head touches the ground and the body lays prostrate in a kneeling position towards the ancestor’s grave.

In many ways, whether for good or for bad, Korea is changing. While Korea goes through this transition, some Confucius values may be dropped. While others like jesa (제사) continue to be popular.

Kimchee (김 치)

This wouldn’t be a Korean blog without a mention of kimchee (김 치) or fermented napa cabbages mixed with garlic, red pepper powder, salt and green onions. If you ever decide to make kimchee (김 치), be aware that it can take about a day or several days to soak the cabbages in water. This is done to soften the cabbage and to clean out any dirt that may not have been washed off. Kimchee (김 치) is the main staple of the Korean diet. It is infamous among foreigners for its spiciness. I can’t help but chuckle because my non-Korean friends always gulp down a glass of water after trying some kimchee (김치). Any newbies to kimchee should take note to drink a glass of milk or to bite into a banana to neutralize the spiciness of kimchee (김치). It works way better than water. LOL.

There are so many varieties of kimchee (김치). For example there is kimchee jjike (김치찌개) which is kimchee (김 치) prepared in a soup format topped with tofu. Kimchee (김 치) based dishes are not limited to cabbages. Sometimes radishes are cut into block squares in a dish called kkak duki (깍 두기). At other times green cucumbers are cut into fourths, (but not cut all the way) in a dish called oi kimchee (오이 김침).

My favorite kimchee (김침) variety is chongkkak kimchee (청깍 김침) which are on average about the length of 3/4 of a twinkie. A green leafy stem is sometimes attached a the head of the radish, which can also be used to eat with rice. I also love mul kimchee (물 김치). It may not appear to look like it belongs in the kimchee (김침) family, but I listed it here because technically I think it is a variety of kimchee (김 침), abeit a distant one. Mul kimchee (물 김치) is a water based soup-ish dish with thinly sliced radish squares and carrots. It also contains garlic and small squares of cabbage as well. It tastes salty instead of spicy and its served cold. It’s great to have it during the humid months of the summer season in Korea.

Jjimjilbang (찜질방) Part 2

After you’re done sweating out your pores or soaking in a hot bath, you can leave those rooms to watch tv or browse the internet. You can also eat or sleep in different rooms selected for those specific activities all without leaving the premises! However, you have to be fully clothed to participate in these rooms. The jimjilbang (찜질 방) will give you a t-shirt and shorts without an additional fee. Everyone will be provided with the same t-shirt and shorts, so don’t be alarmed about the matching outfits. Also lots of places provide slippers so that you don’t have to walk barefoot. You’re allowed to stay for 24 hours after the initial fee that you’ve paid. After the 24 hours are over, you must either pay again to stay longer or leave.

Here comes my favorite part of the jjimjilbang (찜질방) experience: recommending my favorite foods. To start off, I always eat a hard boiled egg and dip it in salt. Eggs are a good source of protein and they prevent you from any having any fainting spells caused by hunger or dizziness from the heat of the jjimjilbangs (찜질방).

Anyone thirsty? Then try some shikhye (식혜) pronounced as shike. It’s a sweet beverage made from fermented rice. It’s served cold so it’ll cool you down a bit after a long hot day in a jjimjilbang (찜질방).

If you’re still feeling a little stuffy I’ve got the perfect solution for you. Try the patbingsu (팥빙수). Patbingsu (팥 빙수) is a very popular dessert in Korea. It contains sweetened beans and ice shavings mixed with condensed milk, fresh fruits and a jelly like substance equivalent to gum drops but softer. Sometimes it is topped with ice cream and is a nice way to end a hot sweltering day at a jjimjilbang (찜질방).

Jjimjilbang (찜질방) Part 1

Today’s topic will be on Korean saunas or jjimjilbang (찜질방). Korean saunas are quite enjoyable. I always recommend my students to try it at least once, especially if they’re ever stopping by in Korea. Jjimjilbang’s(찜질방) vary in size and quality. Usually the most basic jjimjilbang’s (찜질방) charge about 10 U.S. dollars or less, while the more luxurious ones tend to cost around $30 and up per visit.

The most well known type of Korean sauna is called the hanjeunmak (한 정막). This sauna is cave-like with a heating system like that of a pottery kiln. All you have to do is sit and relax. This is paricularly good for people with poor blood circulation, back/joint pain, or stiff muscles. I’ve tried it myself, and it felt like all my stiff muscles were loosened; so much so that I felt that I could have joined an acrobatic circus!

One thing foreigners should note is that you are required to take a shower before you enter the jjimjilbang (찜질방). This means that you have to be naked; no bathing suits are allowed. Showers are communal and separated by gender. The first time I went to a jjimjilbang (찜질방) I felt so vulnerable. Naturally you may initially feel very self conscious, but trust me no one is looking at you. Everyone is preoccupied with the business of scrubbing and washing, so no need to feel scared. What you should worry about is what hallway you enter. Remember that the rooms are separated by gender, and in some rural places the jjimjilbangs (찜질방) are not always labeled in English!

Since you’re going to be naked, you might worry about where you will put your clothes. The answer to that is a locker. Everyone is given a locker to put your belongings in, but you also have the option of letting them wash and dry your clothes for you, so it’s a full service! Don’t bother bringing any towels, they are provided without any additional fee, but you might want to bring your own soap. In many ways, Korean saunas have rooms that are much like public washrooms. You may get a lady or gentlemen to scrub your back for you, but you have to pay an additional fee, which may cost around $10-30 per scrub.

Depending on how luxurious the jjimjilbang (찜질방) is, you can also get a facial, a pedicure, a manicure, a massage, as well as some acupuncture work. I’ve tried acupuncture and it’s not that bad. I felt a little tingling at first, but once I got used to the pressure it was fine. After all the needles were removed I could feel the relaxing effects of the acupuncture almost immediately. After the acupuncture, I soaked myself in a green tea bath, which felt even more relaxing.

Want to know more about the jjimjilbang (찜질방), read the next post!

Boshintang (보신탕)

What is boshintang (보신탕)? For those of you who have a weak stomach, read at your own risk…

Boshintang (보신탕) is a Korean stew that is infamous for its primary ingredient. Can you guess what it is? I’ll give you a hint. It’s man’s best friend, but it’s not the horse. If you haven’t guessed it already the main ingredient in boshintang (보신탕) comes from a particular breed of dog called 노란개 or noranke (yellow dog). These dogs are specifically raised for human consumption and killed for their meat.

Before I go any further I should mention that it is actually illegal to kill any dogs for human consumption in South Korea. The law banning boshintang has been in effect since 1986. Therefore, restaurants that serve boshintang (보신탕) usually do so illegally and secretively. Since boshintang is illegal, many of these restaurants do not have formal health and safety inspections to inspect the food. If you ever decide that you want to try boshintang (보신탕), you do so at your own risk.

I personally have not tried boshintang (보신탕), but people I’ve talked to say it tates like roast beef, except much softer. I think it should also be noted that only a minority of the South Korean population consume boshintang (보신탕). Many South Koreans abhor the idea of a dog being served as food. One of the things that I stress about when I teach my students about Korea, is that they need to be open minded about learning new cultures. This doesn’t mean that I am recommending that everyone try boshintang (보신탕); rather I want people to understand that from a different perspective, it’s all relative. For example, Hindus and Jainists would be repulsed by the American consumption of beef; for Hindus and Jainists believe that cows are sacred. Additionally, if you’re thinking that the consumption of dog meat is only carried out in Korea, I would disagree because Western countries such as France and Sweden have been known to consume dogs as well.

Lastly, I want to emphasize that boshintang (보신탕) is not a typical meal in South Korea. You will have to search hard to find places that serve this particular dish. There are also a lot of ingredients that go into making boshintang (보신탕); including red peppers, onions, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame seed. Naturally, boshintang (보신탕) does not come cheap. Reportedly a small bowl may cost $10 on up in U.S. dollars.

If the thought of boshintang (보신탕) creeps you out, don’t worry, there are plenty of other options available that don’t include dog meat. In the future, expect some post on other meat options. Until then, 안녕 or annyung (bye- informal).

Korean Pronounciation For English Words

I’ll have fries with that! “French fries 주 세요 juseyo,” I said to the cashier at 버거 킹 beogeo king. Her only response was a confused look. I repeated myself. She tried to follow my line of vision to locate what I was looking at on the overhead menu. It was written in Korean, so I went ahead and sounded it out with Korean pronunciation: 후렌치후라이 hurenchi hurai. A look of relief as she rang up my order.
I had until then been avoiding saying any words borrowed from English (and there are thousands of them!) with Korean pronunciation because I was afraid I would sound like I was mocking their accent. This French fry experience helped me to realize that Koreans regard such words as Korean, not English. To put this into perspective, Americans pronounce hors d’oeuvres and fondue nothing like the original French, and trying to pronounce it like a Frenchman while speaking English just ends up sounding pretentious. The same is true in Korean for pronouncing loan words from English. Just keep that in mind when ordering a 라지 치즈 피자 raji chijeu pija*!
*large cheese pizza!

Hwaiting 'Fighting'

Far from a battle cry, 화이팅 hwaiting is a commonly used word of encouragement, as well as a cheer. I’m told it made its way into Korean from its obvious English origin via the Japanese—and hence the unusual pronunciation. Language purists insist that it should be spelled 파이팅 paiting to reflect a closer approximation to the English word fighting. (As I typed 화이팅 above, and again here, the spell check tried to change it to 파이팅!) However, it’s universally pronounced hwaiting and so you will encounter both spellings. Although in use for decades, it’s inclusion into dictionaries has been met with some reluctance, still considered merely slang.
You’ll often hear Koreans try to translate 화이팅 as fighting, understandably, but we can actually translate it a couple of ways, depending on the situation…
At sporting events, the crowd will cheer on their team with 화이팅, sometimes preceded by 아자, 아자! aja aja! just to get pumped up, and in international matches: 대 한민국, 회이팅!! daehanmin-guk, hwaiting!! or even 코리아 화이팅!! koria hwaiting!! Go, Korea!!
To wish someone luck before a difficult endeavor, such as before a test, parachuting out of a plane or approaching a woman in a bar! 파이팅! hwaiting! Good luck!