[7/12] Korean Air flight attendants take unnecessary items out of their carry / Coming Out Changed My Life (by siron.영일)

[stylish]

Korean Air flight attendants take unnecessary items out of their carry

Less luggage: Korean Air flight attendants take unnecessary items out of their carry-on baggage to reduce the weight at Incheon International Airport, Monday. The carrier has encouraged its crew to reduce the weights of their luggage by an average 2 kilograms to fight soaring jet fuel prices, and expects to save 500 million won ($500,000) per year.

1. what do you think of this situation?

2. what are you doing in order to reduce living price?

3. do you think this happenig is Lee's failure?

4. how is the atmosphere in your working place?

'Coming Out Changed My Life'

Actor Hong Suk-chun

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Actor Hong Suk-chun is a strong man. He is strong not only because he ``came out of the closet'' eight years ago when there was nobody to support him, let alone understand, but because he has lived his life to the fullest ever since.

``There were times when it was so hard that I just wanted to give up everything. Living as the only one (to come out) in this business is hard. Harder than you can ever imagine,'' he told The Korea Times during an interview at his restaurant ``Our Place.''

Hong,37, recently finished hosting a cable television program ``Coming Out.'' Hong worked as a mentor, giving advice and supporting young homosexuals. Despite worries, ``Coming Out'' proved to be a success, opening a small, yet promising door. Six participants appeared in the show and openly declared they were gay and were happy about it.

``When we first prepared the program, the producers wanted the show to be touching and mostly sad. But I wanted it to be happy and fun. The perspective that homosexuals lead a hard life is true, but that's not everything. I told (the participants) to be confident and proud. They are young, talented and fun, and I wanted our society to see that through the program,'' he said.

How does it feel to have finished a show that was so different and somewhat shocking?

``I feel relieved and proud. I fought so hard by myself ever since I came out eight years ago. Nobody came up to me and said I made the right decision, but now I have friends who understand me,'' he said.

Hong obviously learned a lot through his journey and he was willing to pass on that wisdom.

``You have to be strong and determined. This goes for practically everybody, but for homosexuals living in Korea, you have to be stronger. Work hard and appreciate life. That's the good part about coming out. You have made a decision and now you have to be responsible,'' Hong added.

Hong knows a lot about being determined, for he has been busy with other businesses beyond acting. He currently runs three restaurants, ``Our Place,'' ``My Tai'' and ``My China,'' and a bar ``My Soul Bar,'' as well as an online shopping mall and has even appeared in several musicals. He is also preparing to publish a new book, his own clothing line and even produce performances.

``I put `my' in most of my businesses because I wanted to guarantee the quality to the customer. My work is based on my perspective, style and preferences. I hold great responsibility in everything I own so people can trust the quality. I guess it's like a guarantee seal,'' he said.

He may have a lot of things planned ahead, but his main goal was just one thing: appreciate life and work.

``I'm a workaholic. Coming out has changed my life and it has also made me think differently. It has been the drive for me to work hard, and I think now it is pointing to a new direction. Wherever I go, whatever I do, the experience will never leave me and this will continuously help me live my life to the fullest,'' he smiled.

1. what do you think of Hong?

2. do you know someone who is not straight around you?

3. can you embrace them? if so or not, why? why not?

4. what do you think of a program on a gay or a lesbian like coming out?

[Gina(진아)]

Interesting Topics!! Thanks Siron. And see u there`~

[siron.영일]

yes~ i hope to, but i'm thinking of visiting vietnam!!! it was floating, suddenly. and i called an agency and heard that one ticket is available... kkk i wanna go~~~!!!!

[Gina(진아)]

Amazing~ Looks great. Oh boy...

[siron.영일]

unfortunately, i booked it but i realized that i don't have a passport... ㅠㅠ so i can't but delay the date.... 5 days later!!! and 80,000 won more~ on 15th of this month~ kk c u upcoming sat.!!!

[Gina(진아)]

Anyhow, good for ya!! Yeah, Enjoy ur life~

[Teddy~*]

토요일에 만나요~~ ^▽^

[Timothy]

제 친구들 몇 명과 함께 참석할 예정입니다^^토요일에 뵈어요^^

[Teddy~*]

오우~ 환영합니다~ ^^ 기다리고 있겠습니다~ ^^

[Shane]

참석요~~ ^^ 듣고만 있어도.. 뭐라하기음끼~~~ ㅎㅎㅎ

[Teddy~*]

그래도 차례가 되면 조용히 한마디 외쳐 주세요! pass~~~~ ^^

[동희]

사진ㅇㅣ 시원시원스러운게 맘에 드네요.ㅋㅋ

[동희]

대머리도 머 나름 시원스럼네요.

[Teddy~*]

난 이 발언 반댈세! (-┏);;; 이반은 어색해요.. ㅠ_ㅜ

[Angie_♬]

` 참여해요 !! ㅋㅋ 저도 듣고만 있을.......래요 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 처음인데 잘 부탁드려요 !! ㅎㅎㅎ

[Teddy~*]

좋은 생각이세요~ ^^ 민들레영토 4층 1번방으로 환영합니다~~ ^^

[Hank]

will make it this week also.

[Teddy~*]

i'll wait~ ^^

[Alba(Manager)]

가고 싶지만 이번주는 직원 워크샵이라 파주를 가야해요... 모두들 열공하시길!! ^^

[Gina(진아)]

수고^-^ 담주에뵈여^-^

[bonguri]

이번 토욜날 뵐께요... 이번이 두번째 참석이네요. 저두 언제쯤 여러분처럼 영어를 할 수 있을까요^^; 부럽습니다.

[Gina(진아)]

자신감입니다. 틀리든맞든 기냥 지르세요..ㅋㅋㅋ 하다보면 늘어요~^^

[Teddy~*]

오우~ 2회연속참석! 상 드려야겠어요~ 짝~짝~짝~^^

[BigStar]

참석요...See u...

[홀릭]

한번가고 너무 오랜만 참석인데... 또 버벅댈까봐 걱정이네요..ㅎㅎ

[Gina(진아)]

걱정붙들어매세요~^^ 기다리고있겠슴다.ㅋㅋ

[조형섭]

if i possible.. i will come.. but i am not sure.. you know life is uncertain.. hee.. hee...

[Teddy~*]

꼭 오길 바래~ ^^

[내려놓기]

두번째로 참석합니다. 저두 듣기만..해야 할 것 같아요.^^*

[Teddy~*]

한마디~ 두마디~ ^^

[도르도르]

참석할게요~! ^-^/

[Teddy~*]

와우~~ 기댈리께~~ 클라크도 오는거징? ^^

[Doo ^^]

별일이 생기지 않으면...ㅋㅋ

[Teddy~*]

별일 없길~~~ ^^