TV Shows
Talk about your favorite TV shows.
Yesterday it was the finale of my favorite TV show. It’s a drama setin ancient Korea. But my taste in TV entertainment is pretty eclectic. I like all the reality shows where they follow celebrities in their daily lives. It’s like a sneak-peek into their glamorous lifestyle.
The singing contest shows totally lure me in too. I think those contestants are so talented even though some judges completely disagree with me sometimes. And some of them can be so brutal and critical! My current obsession though, is comedy sketch shows. Korean comedy is refreshingly witty but can also make you howl with laughter. I also love documentaries on EBS.
Key Vocabulary &Expressions
Finale 피날레, 마지막 부분 Set in ~을 배경으로 한 Taste 취향, 기호
Eclectic 다양한, 다방면에 걸친 Reality show 리얼리티 프로그램 Celebrity 연예인,유명인
Sneak-peek 살짝 엿보는 것 Glamorous 화려한 Lure in 유혹하다, 꾀다
Contestant 참가자 Talented 재능이 있는 Brutal 잔인한, 잔혹한 Critical 비판적인
Current obsession 현재의 집착, 푹 빠져 있는 것 Comedy sketch show 코미디 촌극, 개그 프로그램
Howl with laughter 자지러지게 웃다
Extra topics for Study Groups
1. What kind of TV shows do you like to watch?
2. What is your opinion of reality TV?
3. Would you ever be a reality TV contestant? Why or whynot?
Noryangjin Hagwon Street 노량진 학원가
Talk about the Noryangjin hagwon street.
A couple of months ago, I talked to you about the famous fish market in Noryangjin. This district is also well-known for its hagwon street.
Hagwon is a private institute or cram school in Korea. NoryangjinHagwon street has long been a place for jaesusaeng. Jaesusaeng are students who choose to study one more year for their college entrance exam. Better scores mean securing a spot at the college of their dreams.
Nowadays, there are more than 40 cram schools for adults in Noryangjin. These schools offer a wide range of certification prep classes. People attend schools here to become police officers, public officials, school teachers, and other professionals.
Key Vocabulary &Expressions
둘의, 두세 개의 a couple of 지구, 구역 district ~로 널리 알려져 있다. Be well-known for
전문 교육 기관, 연구소 institute 입시 준비 학원 cram school ~을 위한 장소 place for
대학입학시험 college entrance exam 확보하다, 보장하다 secure 자리, 위치 spot
요즘에는 nowadays 광범위한, 다양한 a wide range of 자격증, 증명서 certification
준비하는, 예비의, 준비하다 prep 다니다, 참석하다 attend 공무원 public official
Extra topics for Study Groups
1. Have you ever attended hagwon in Noryangjin? When was it? What class did you take there?
2. Why do you think there are so many certification hagwons in Noryangjin?
3. Did you ever choose to study one more year for your college entrance exam? Describe your experience.
Suicide
Talk about suicide in Korea.
It’s an alarming statistic: Korea has the highest suicide rate among 34 OECD countries. The toll of suicide deaths in Korea has doubled in the last decade. People are trying to help raise awareness of mental health issues in campaigns. There are also advocates of helping victims of bullying in school.
The reasons behind suicide are deep-rooted. Psychologists point to modern values stressing the importance of money and achievement. The pressure of Korean society is intense, and the routine is relentless. There is stigma of going to a psychiatrist for help. Mental issues are still a taboo topic. But this is already a huge problem.
Key Vocabulary &Expressions
걱정스러운, 놀라운 alarming 통계 statistic 비율 rate 사상자 수, 피해, 손해 toll
인식을 높이다. 경각심을 일깨우다 raiseawareness 정신 건강 mental health
지지자, 옹호자 advocate ~의 이유 reason behind 뿌리 깊은 deep-rooted
~을 가리키다, 지적하다 point to 강조하다 stress 압박감, 압박 pressure 일상 routine
사정없는, 가혹한 relentless 오명 stigma 정신과 의사 psychiatrist 심리학자 psychologist 금기 taboo
Extra topics for Study Groups
1. What is your opinion of people who commit suicide?
2. Have you ever felt so stressed out that you neededoutside help?
3. Why are people embarrassed to get psychiatric help inKorea?
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