11/23 Talk about the nationality of Koreans.

Korean people are very passionate, warm-hearted and generous.
ex> She is very warm-hearted and is very kind to others.

They are also known to be very hardworking, industrious and diligent.

There's a strong emphasis on respect for the elderly.
ex> We place a strong emphasis on character and interpersonal skills.

They tend to form strong and lasting bonds with others.
* form a bond with: ~와 정을 쌓다.
ex> It's not easy to form lasting bonds with your neighbors these days.

Koreans are also known for their warm hospitality.
ex> We greatly appreciate your warm hospitality.

@ That's a big no-no.  그건 절대 안 돼.

11/22 Describe your kitchen in as much detail as possible.

The dining table is usually placed right in the middle of the shared area.
ex> The picture was placed right in the middle of the wall.

A microwave and a rice cooker are the two basic staples.
* staple: a main or important element of something, ex> Greek legend was the staple of classical tragedy.
ex> Rice is the main staple of Koreans.

Many homes have a separate refrigerator solely for storing kimchi.
ex> My mother has a big cabinet solely for storing her favorite dishes.

Many kitchens are connected to a utility room in the back.
* utility room: 다용도실

Some cupboards are dedicated for the cooking oils and condiments.
* be dedicated for: ~전용으로 사용되다.
* condiment: 양념
* kettle: 주전자

@ That created quite a scene.  사람들 이목을 끌었어.

11/20 Talk about Korea's garbage disposal system.

Ten plus years age, Korea adopted the "volum-based" or "pay-as-you-go" garbage system.
* volume-based [pay-as-you-go] garbage system: 쓰레기 종량제
ex> The pay-as-you-go garbage system is considered the norm in Korea.

The more trash you produce, the more you have to pay.

Regulation garbage bags must be purchased at supermarkets or convenience stores.
* regulation garbage bag: 규격 종량제 봉투.
ex> Regulation garbage bags come in 5, 10, 20 and 50 liter sizes.

Recycling is also very well practiced throughout Korea.
* be well practiced: 잘 실천하다.
ex> It took a while for recycling to be properly practiced.

Koreans throw away food waste separately in designated outdoor containers.
* outdoor container: 실외 수거통

@ It's off-limits to animals.  동물은 출입 금지야.
* What do you have against my puppy?

11/19 Talk about when a computer breaks down.

One of the worst things that can happen to people is their computer breaking down.
* break down: 고장 나다.
ex> My car broke down, so I had it towed to a service center.

There's also the case of having downloaded a virus or some other type of malware.
* malware: 악성코드(malicious software)

You need to run a virus check to remove any spyware, malware, or worms.
* run a virus check(scan): 바이러스 검사를 하다.
ex> You must run a virus check on a regular basis.

The worst-case scenario would be having to reinstall the operating system completely.
* worst-case scenario: 최악의 시나리오
ex> In this case, the only option is to reinstall the operating system completely

If you've never backed up your computer before, this could be a huge blow for you.
* huge blow: 큰 타격
ex> The virus attack was a hugh blow for many computer users.

@ You're going to have to Take it up with him.  그 사람하고 직접 상의해 봐.

11/18 Talk about the day of the Korean college entrance exam.

More than half a million students take the Korean college entrance exam every year.
ex> Students who are late for the Korean college entrance exam even take patrol cars to the test venue.

This exam can potentially make or break a child's academic future.
* make or break: ~의 성패가 달려 있다.
ex> This project can make or break your career at this company.

Companies will often push back the start of their work day to free up the roads in the morning.
* push back: 연기하다, 늦추다.
* free up the roads: 차량 소통을 줄이다.

Airports adjust flight times so that students won't be distracted during listening comprehension sections.
* adjust: 조정하다.
* distract: 주의를 흐트러뜨리다. 산만하게 하다.

You're also bound to see throngs of well-wishers outside the test venues.
* throng: a crowd or large group of people.
ex> Throngs of fans gathered for the concert.

@ Please RSVP for the event.  참석 여부 알려줘.

* I'll be there. Count me in!  갈게, 가는 걸로 알고 있어.

11/17 Talk about instant noodles Koreans like to have.

Ramyeon in Korea comes in a variety of flavors.
ex> The new smart phone will come in two different colors.

The beauty of ramyeon is that it is very easy to cook.

You simply boil some water in a pot, add the instant noodles and the soup base and you're done!
* soup base: 라면스프
ex> I usually use only half of the soup base when I cook instant noodles.

If even that's too cumbersome for you, you can just get yourself a cup ramyeon.
* cumbersome: 번거로운, bothersome, hassle, troublesome
ex> The new method is cumbersome and time-consuming.

It is the perfect go-to snack when you're short on time or cash.
* go-to snack: 안성맞춤의 간식거리.

@ Someone rear-ended me.  누가 뒤에서 박았어.

11/16 Talk about a typical Korean wedding.

A friend of the groom usually emcees the ceremony.
* emcee: 사회를 보다.
ex> I was very nervous when I emceed a wedding for the first time.

An older distinguished acquaintance of the family officiates the wedding.
* officiate: 주례를 보다.
ex> He asked his college professor to officiate his wedding.

The man buys or rents the house and the bride-to-be the hone-soo.

Common ye-mool items are rings, jewelry, or his-and-her watches.

Yedan is basically a dowry for her future in-laws.
* dowry: 결혼지참금

@ He really stands out anywhere he goes.  그 친구는 정말 눈에 띄어

11/15 Talk about what ROTC is.

ROTC is a college-based officer-commissioning program.
* officer-commissioning: 장교를 양성하는/임명하는

It's offered as a college elective for some of the top students during their junior and senior years.
* college elective: 대학교 선택 과정, a course that students can choose to take, but they do not have to take it in order to graduate.
ex> Take elective courses that interest you and are outside of your major.

ROTC officers are required to serve (in) the military for 28 months after graduation.
ex> All healthy males are obliged to serve (in) the military in Korea.

The country gains a well-educated group of officer reserves.
* officer reserves: 예비 장교

Female applicants were accepted for the first time this fall.

@ Would you care for a drink?  뭐 마실래?
* Would you care for (snack, some food, something to chew on)?

11/13 What types of people are annoying to you?

You're bound to run into some people that get under your skin.
* run into: ~와 마주치다.
* get under one's skin: 거슬리다. to irritate, or stimulate; provoke
ex> In the summer time, there are so many mosquitoes in the house and they get under my skin.

I can't stand people who expect everything to be handed to them on a silver platter.
* on a silver platter: without work or effort.
ex> It won't be handed to you on a silver platter.

I find it hard to respect such people who aren't willing to work hard.

I also dislike two-faced people who talk about others behind their backs.
* talk behind someone's back: ~의 험담을 하다.
ex> I was shocked to hear she was talking about me behind my back!

Another annoyance is when someone doesn't keep his/her word.

@ I don't understand the rationale behind this.  논리적으로 이해가 안돼.

11/12 Talk about the spam mail and spam texts you receive.

Thank God that most email accounts can automatically screen junk mail out.
* screen out (=filter): 걸러내다.
ex> This filters screen out adult content on search engines.

A handful of them still manage to filter through.
* a handful of: a small number of people or things.
ex> I invited only a handful of my friends to keep it private.
* filter through: to pass or seep through something
ex> The water filtered through the coffee grounds and dripped into the pot.

I often get emails offering get-rich-quick schemes.
* get-rich-quick: 일확천금의

Some spam mail can install a virus onto your computer.

A general rule of thumb is to ignore any emails from senders you do not recognize.
* general rule of thumb: 대략적인 방법 ( a practical method of doing or measuring sth, usually based on past experience rather than on exact measurement)

@ I had to bend the rule.  규칙을 살짝 어겨야 했어.

11/11 Talk about the G20 summit that will be held in Seoul.

Korea reached a new milestone when it was chosen to host the G20 summit in November of 2010.
* political milestone: 정치적 이정표
ex> France has been chosen to host EURO 2016.

Korea is the first non-G8 country to host a G20 summit.

The G20 was first established in 1999 to respond to financial crises in the late 1990s.
* respond to: 대처하다.
ex> The government took various measures to respond to the financial crisis.

It is a group of the 20 largest economies in the world.

Its ultimate goal is to stabilize the global financial market and achieve sustainable economic growth.

@ It's not in his nature to do that.  원래 천성이 그런 사람이 아닌데.

11/10 Talk about diabetes.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder where the body doesn't produce enough insulin.

Diabetics have all their glucose just staying in the blood and not being used by the cells.
* diabetic[daɪə^|betɪk]: 당뇨병 환자, 당뇨병의
ex> For diabetics, it is very important to control their blood sugar levels.

Type 1 diabetes stems from the fact that your pancreas isn't producing any insulin.
* stem from: ~에서 기인하다, ~로부터 발생하다.

Type 2 diabetes is when your pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, or your insulin isn't doing its job.
* do one's job: 본연의 임무를 다하다.
ex> He was fired because he was not doing his job properly.

Treatment can range from getting insulin injections, taking medicine, exercising, to making dietary changes.

@ You should start pulling your weight.  네 몫/역할을 하기 시작해야 해.

11/9 Talk about a medical checkup you received at a hospital.

I try to get regular medical checkups at least once every two years.
* medical checkup: 건강검진

When I go in for my physical, the nurses first measure my weight, height, eye sight, hearing, and blood pressure.
* go in for a physical: 건강 검진을 받으러 가다.
cf> go in for my interview: 면접보러 가다.

A small blood sample can tell the doctors about my cholesterol, fatty liver, and blood sugar levels.


I even had to undergo a gastroscopy.
ex> I can't eat or drink tonight because I need to undergo a gastroscopy tomorrow.
I opted for sedation during my gastroscopy because I did not want to feel uncomfortable.  수면내시경

As I am pushing 50, I also get my bone density checked to look out for osteoporosis.
* look out for:~을 경계하다, 주의하다.

@ There's no way to turn back the clock.  시간을 되돌릴 수는 없어.
I was so out of line yelling at Tracy yesterday.
Yeah, you were pretty harsh on her.
I wish I could take back wiat I said.

11/8 Where do Koreans get their drinking water?

You're sure to bump into a water fountain or dispenser.
* water fountain: 식수대(분수식)
* water dispenser: 생수기, 냉온수기
* bump into: 우연히 마주치다.
ex> I bumped into an old friend on the street.

When people are on the move, they typically get bottled water from convenience stores.
* on the move: 이동 중에(on the go)
ex> I always carry bottled water when I'm on the move.

Others have a water cooler or water purifiers in their homes.
* water purifier: 정수기

The government promotes drinking tap water, but Koreans rarely do that.
* tap water: 수돗물
ex> I've heard that in some countries people just drink tap water.

Some people get their drinking water the old-fashioned way.

@ What's your main source of income?  주요 수입원이 무엇이니?

* You're juggling too many jobs.  하는 일이 너무 많잖아.

11/6 Talk about what you do for skincare.

Korean women invest a great deal of time and effort in maintaining good skin.

When we hit puberty, we often start to develop pimples and blackheads.
* blackhead: 검은 피지
* pimple: 여드름  cf> acne: 여드름이 확 번지는 것
*puberty: 청소년기

That's why it's important to cleanse and moisturize your face regularly.
* cleanse: 세안하다, 세척하다.
* moisturize: 수분을 주다.
ex> I moisturize my skin regularly, but my skin is still dry.

It also helps to put on lotions and serums.
* serum: 에센스

When you hit your late 20s or early 30s, you'll start to notice some fine lines start to form.
* fine lines: 잔주름

Eye cream can help postpone the deepening of crow's feet.
* crow's feet: wrinkles of eyes, 눈가 주름
ex> Crow's feet are wrinkles that appear on each end of the eyes.

Sunblock is essential in blocking out harmful UV rays, which can speed up aging.

Exfoliating once or twice a week will help your skin look fresh.

Some people get facials to get the skin clearer and rejuvenated.
* rejuvenate: 생기 있게 하다.
* get a facial: 피부 관리를 받다.

@ We're on a first-name basis.  서로 이름 부르는 사이예요.

11/5 Talk about how blind dates are arranged in Korea.

Being set up on a blind date is very common.
* be set up on a blind date: 소개팅 자리에 나가다.
ex> I feel so uncomfortable when I'm set up on a blind date.

Friends often hook other friends up on a casual date.
* hook someone up on a date: ~에게 데이트를 주선하다.
ex> Can you hook me up on a date with your friends?

It's customary for the guy to pay for the first date.
* customary: 관습적인, 일반적인
ex> It is customary for Koreans to use both hands when they pour a drink to seniors.

If the so-gae-ting is successful, the guy and girl will set up another date.
* set up a date: 데이트를 계획하다.

Parents get involved and arranged a formal date between a man and a woman.


@ What shall I address you as ?  제가 어떻게 부르면 되죠?

11/4 Talk about high heels and lifties.

It seems that more and more people are being height-conscious these days.
* height-conscious: 키에 신경 쓰는

It's not just the women who are looking for that extra vertical boost.
* extra vertical boost: 키를 더 커 보이게 하는 것.
ex> Getting an extra vertical boost increases my sefl-confidence.

Men have been known to wear lifties to gain a few extra centimeters.
* lifties: 키높이 구두
ex> Many grooms at weddings also wear lifties to appear taller.

It started with some of the male celebrities wearing inner soles in their shoes to appear taller.
* inner soles: 깔창

Everyday Joes are also investing in lifties.
* everyday Joe: 일반인, 평범한 사람.

@ It's long overdue.  너무 미뤄왔잖아.

11/3 Talk about the Miss Korea beauty pageant.

Finalists are selected to represent their region and vie for the ultimate Miss Korea crown.
* vie for: ~을 두고 겨루다.
ex> She had to vie for the prize with formidable competitors.

The ladies are judged by how they do in the swimsuit, evening gown, and interview categories.

The Miss Korea pageant used to be a bigger deal when it was broadcast on national television.
* big deal: 중대사
ex> She tends to make a big deal out of nothing.
* be broadcast on:~에 방송되다.
* national television: 전국 TV
ex> I remember when the Miss Korea pageant was broadcast(ed) on national television.

There were controversies over the girls being judged based on outer beauty.

Many finalists end up pursuing careers in the entertainment business.
* pursue a career in: ~에서 진로를 추구하다.

@ Let's not step on each others' toes.  서로 영역 침범하지 말자.

11/2 Talk about wisdom teeth.

Extra molars start to grow in the back of their mouths.
* molar: 어금니
* in the back of: ~의 뒷쪽에
ex> I have a cold sore in the back of my mouth.
* cold sore: a painful spot on your lip or inside your mouth that is caused by a virus.

Wisdom teeth in and of themselves aren't bad.
* in and of itself: ~의 그 자체
ex> Such diseases aren't, in and of themselves, contagious.

If they start to shift the other teeth out of place, they need to be pulled out.
* shift out of place: 위치를 변경시키다.
* pull out: (이를) 뽑다. --> grow in: 이가 나다.

Removing it could either be excruciating or a piece of cake.
* excruciating: 매우 고통스러운
* a piece of cake: 식은 죽 먹기

In cases where the tooth didn't rupture through the gums, the dentist will have to cut through and dig it out.
* rupture through: ~을 뚧고 나다.
* cut through: ~을 절개하다.
* dig out: 파내다.

After removal, the person will deal with profuse bleeding and swelling.


@ Don't burn yourself out.  너무 무리하지 마.

11/1 Talk about seafood markets in Korea.

To get the most bang for your buck when it comes to seafood, ~
* get the most bang for one's buck: 돈을 아깝지 않게 쓰다.
ex> Getting the most bang for your college buck
ex> Get More Bang for Your Buck by Using Coupons and Sales Wisely

They're always bustling with people because many Koreans love seafood.
* bustle with: ~로 붐비다.
ex> Jeju Island is bustling with tourists throughout the year.

The prices are relatively cheaper than most retail stores.
* retail store: 소매점

You can get better prices if you know how to haggle well.
* get better price: 보다 싼값에 구입하다.
* haggle [^|hӕgl]: 흥정하다 =bargain.
ex> I left him in the market haggling over the price of a shirt.

I'd recommend going to the markets at the crack of dawn.
* at the crack of dawn. 꼭두새벽에, 해가 뜰 무렵에

Another option is to have one of the nearby restaurants cook up your purchases right there on the spot.
* on the spot: 현장에서, 즉석에서


@ I don't remember a thing.  하나도 기억이 나질 않아.

10/30 What would you do if you could go back 10 years?

We can't turn back the clock and get a redo on our lives.
* turn back the clock:  시간을 되돌리다.
* get a redo: 다시 하다.

I would've worked harder in school to get into a better school.

This would've probably broadened my options when I was hunting for a job.
* broaden one's options: 선택의 폭을 넓게 하다.
* hunt for a job: 구직하다.

I would've also worked harder at my career to really make a name for myself.
* make a name for oneself: 이름을 알리다.

I would've put off getting married and having kids until I became more financially stable.

I would've also made more  investments in real estate.
* make investments in:~에 투자하다.

I want to kick myself every time I see how much housing prices went up.
* want to kick oneself: 후회하다.
* housing price: 주택가격

@  I've taken it up with him already.  이미 그 사람하고 상의해봤어.
* take sth up with sb:  (문제를 해결하거나 도움을 줄 수 있을) ~에게 ~에 대해 이야기를 하다[편지를 쓰다]
ex> They decided to take the matter up with their MP.

10/29 Tell us about the Korean college entrance exam.

This year's college entrance exam in Korea will be held on November 18th.
* college entrance exam: 대학입시

It can make or break a student's academic career.
* make or break: ~의 성패(운명)을 좌우하다.
ex> One's physical condition on the test day can make or break one's test result.

The test consists of tests on Korean, Math, English, Sciences, Social Sciences, and Foreign Languages.

Students can choose what subjects they wish to be tested on.
* be tested on: ~에 대한 평가를 받다.
ex> You will be tested on what we covered in class throught the semester.

Up until now, high school seniors were only allowed to take the exam once a year.

* pass a bill: 법안을 통과시키다.

@ I was under the impression that~  한 느낌이 오는데
 I got impression, I thought that~

11/28 How did Korea become a global IT powerhouse?

Korea has been leading the pack when it comes to the global IT industry.
* lead the pack: 선두 주자이다.
ex> Facebook and Twitter Lead the Pack as Social Media Usage Skyrockets.

One big reason Korea has become a global IT powerhouse is that Koreans are very tech-savvy.
* IT powerhouse: 정보통신 강국
* tech-savvy: 기술 적응이 빠른
ex> Korea's tech-savvy customers have been fast in getting smartphones.

Having a cell phone in Korea is considered a given.
* be considered a given: 당연하게 여겨지다, to accept that something is true or exists, especially when you are developing an idea or argument, = take sth as a given
ex> Smartphones are soon going to be considered a given.

Korea also has the fastest internet connection in the world.

The nation's high-speed Internet penetration rate is also the world's highest.
* penetration rate: 보급률.

@ Unless you think otherwise~ 네 생각이 다르지만 않다면 말이야~
* throw a party: 파티를 열어주다.

10/27 Talk about street vendors that sell food in Korea.

Sometimes I prefer eating at a street food vendor over an actual resturant.
* street vendor: 노점상
It's basically the Korean version of fast food.


On streets with busy foot traffic, you're bound to find food vendor carts lining the sidewalks.
* foot traffic: 유동인구
* be bound to: 반드시 ~하게 된다.
* sidewalk 인도, pavement (英)

There are also tent bars that are like a cross between a food vendor cart and a resturant.
* a cross between A and B: A와 B의 접목

Things like chicken gizzards and chicken feet are definitely worth giving a try.
* chicken gizzard: 닭 모래주머니
* give a try: 시도해 보다.
ex> Tasting local food is worth giving a try when you are traveling.

@ Now is the right time.  지금이 기회야.

10/26 What do you normally do at home when you are relaxing?

When I was younger, I hated being cooped up at home.
* be cooped up: ~에 틀어박혀 있다. 
ex> You can't be cooped up in a room on such a lovely day.
cf> coop: a building for small animals, especially chickens

Now that I'm older, I can't get enough of those few rare hours where I can just veg out.
* veg out: 아무것도 하지 않고 빈둥거리다. (informal) to relax by doing sth that needs very little effort
ex> I just want to kick back and veg out.

I try to get some extra Zs because I can barely get five hours' sleep on the weekdays.
* take some Zs: 잠을 자다, take a nap
ex> I'm  just going to get some Zs before we head out.

I like to catch up on all of my favorite TV dramas.
* catch up on: (밀린 것을) 보충하다.

Although I feel like I'm just killing time at home, I really need these moments to get my mind off of things.
* get one's mind off of things: 머리를 비우다.
ex> You need to get your mind off of things for a while.  너 잠시 머리를 식힐 시간이 필요해.

@ It's matter of personal choice.  개인적인 취향의 문제야.
* chop: to cut sth into pieces with a sharp tool such as a knife, cut
* chic: very fashionable and elegant

10/25 Talk about arranged marriages in Korea.

In Korea, a marriage is considered to be not just the union of two people, but two families.
ex> He needs not just finincial support but emotional support as well.

Matching two people according to their social statuses still carries heavy weight here.
* carry heavy weight: 중요성을 지닌다.
ex> His opinion on psychology carries heavy weight since he was an authority in the field.

Some families still choose to take the arranged marriage route.
* arranged marriage: 중매결혼
ex> The concept of arranged marriage can be very foreign to Western cultures

The two sets of parents will arrange a formal date for their children.
* arrange a date: 만남을 주선하다.
ex> Can you arrange a date for me with your friend?

Poople at times even turn to professional matchmaking agencies to find their spouse.
* matchmaking agency: 결혼정보업체
* spouse[spaus_z]: 배우자
* turn to: depend on, choose

@ Let's pick it up from where we left off.  중단됐던 데부터 다시 시작하죠.

10/23 What motivates you most in life?

My goal in life is to leave the world a slightly bettter place than when I entered it.

I see them as opportunities for me to help and make a difference.
* make a difference: 변화를 일으키다.
ex> I see this as a great opportunity for me to get my foot in the door.
* get one's foot in the door: 입문하다.

I've been blessed in many ways.
* be blessed: 축복받다.
ex> Busan is blessed with its beautiful beaches.

I also try to regularly do volunteer work for the underprivileged.
* the underprivileged: 소외된 계층
ex> The program aims at raising money for the underprivileged.

Constantly going over what you should be thankful for keeps your life positive.
* go over: think about or look at carefully.  검토하다. 잘 살펴보다.
ex> Let me briefly go over what was covered in the last meeting.

@ He showed up empty-handed.  빈손으로 나타났어.