2/22 Tell us about separated families in North and South Korea.

Many Korean families were ripped apart in the aftermath of the Korean War back in the 50s.
* rip apart: 찢어놓다, 분리하다.
* in the aftermath of: ~의 여파로
ex> My grandparents were ripped apart during the war.
ex> The United Nations was established in the aftermath of the World War II.

Families were unwillingly separated and remain separated even to this day.
ex> Many Korean families have remained separated for 60 years.

Sporadic family reunions and letter exchanges took place.
* sporadic: 산발적인, 간헐적인
* family reunion: 가족 상봉
ex> We have a big family reunion on New Year's Day.

They only covered a small fraction of those affected by the war.

Those reunions were halted whenever tension between the two Koreas rose.
ex> Due to the recent exchange of gunfire, tension between the two Koreas rose.

Because the survivors of the Korean War are getting extremely old, time is running out for them to reunite.
* run out: 부족해지다.
ex> I think my luck run out.

@ We were all floating on air.  우리 모두 신이 났어.
It must've really been a moment.  정말 잊을 수 없는 순간이었겠다.

1. The nation's economy was in ruins in the aftermath of the war.
2. His family remains separated for 50 years.
3. The separated families are looking forward to more often family reunion.
4. Time is running out.

2/21 Talk about English kindergartens in Korea.

The English-learning craze in Korea is gradually starting at an earlier and earlier age.
* craze: 열풍
ex> Her English skills gradually started to pick up.

Some parents these days are bending over backwards to send their children to English kindergartens.
* bend over backwards: 지대한 노력을 기울이다.
ex> He is bending over backwards because of the high cost of education for his children.

These kindergartens are notorious for their high tuition fees.
* tuition fee: 수업료, 등록금
ex> I'm afraid I can't afford the high tuition fee.

Believe or not, some places cost as much as college.
ex> College tuition cost as much as monthly wage of an average office worker.

The class rosters are largely made up of kids from families that are well-off.
* class roster: 학급 명단
* be well-off: 경제적으로 여유가 있다. = be loaded

You can see plenty of mothers lining up to get their kids enrolled.

Korean parents will do anything for the sake of their children's education.


@ I could eat.  (배가 안고플때) 뭐 먹을 수 있어.


1. I'm planning on gradually starting my workout next week.
2. He's bending over backwards to pay for his children's tuition fees.
3. The city is noctorious for its high price.
4. He emigrated to another country for the sake of his children's education.

2/19 Talk about a typical housewarming party in Korea.

When Koreans move into a new home, it's common to hold a housewarming party.
* housewarming party: 집들이
* move into: ~로 이사하다.
ex> When are you going to throw a housewarming party?

The guests don't usually come empty-handed either.
ex> I don't go empty-handed when I'm visiting someone at the hospital.

Korean housewarming gifts are rather practical such as toilet paper or laundry detergent.
* laundry detergent: 세제
ex> You need to take more of a practical approach.

Some guests will sometimes chip in to buy a more high-end item like a rice cooker.
* chip in: 돈을 조금씩 보태다.
* high-end item: 고급/고가의 물건, rather expensive
ex> If we chip in a little, we can help him out.

Housewarming parties can vary in size.

Newlyweds tend to hold bigger ones where the wife goes all out in cooking the meal.
* newlyweds: 신혼부부
* go all out: 전력을 다하다, = bend over backward
ex> She went all out to look good for him.  그녀는 그에게 잘 보이기 위해 최선을 다했다.


@ Let me whip up something for you right away.  빨리 뭐 좀 만들어 줄게.
= Let me fix something for you.  (특히 음식을) 준비하다, 마련하다.
ex> I'll fix supper.

1. We moved into a new apartment last month.
2. I came back empty-handed because I lost wallet.
3. We chipped in to buy a present for our teacher.
4. I went all out to prepare dinner for ten guests.

2/18 Talk about people who are pursuing careers as flight attendants.

Many young Koreans aspire to become flight attendants.
* aspire to: ~하길 열망하다.
ex> He aspired to be a doctor when he was young.

As flight attendants are predominantly females, there are naturally more females than males who pursue this career.
* pursue a career: 진로를 추구하다.
* predominantly: 대다수의 경우
ex> The area is predominantly agricultural.

In Korea, flight attendants are stereotypically viewed as young, beautiful, and cometent women.
* stereotypically: 전형적으로
* competent: 능력있는

The pay is very good, not to mention the perk of getting to travel all over the world for free.
* perk: 특전
ex> Getting to meet celebrities firsthand is one of the perks of volunteering at the event.

It's a cutthroat industry because there is a lot of competition.
* cutthroat: 치열한, fiercer competition
ex> The cell phone market is a cutthroat industry with so many players.

Most candidates end up working for domestic airlines.
* domestic airline: 국내 항공사
ex> I ended up landing a job at a domestic airline.


@ Was shipping and handling included?   배송비와 취급 수수료가 포함된 건가요?


1. I aspired to become an actress when I was young.
2. Interpreters at international conferences are predominantly female.
3. That is one of the perks of being tall.
4. You need to survive in the cutthroat competition.

2/17 Talk about the debate over offering free meals at schools.

One hotly-debated issue in the last elections was free school meals.
* hotly-debated issue: 주요 쟁점
* free meal: 무상 급식
ex> The issue is still hotly-debated up until now.

Scools provide free meals for students from families in the low income bracket.
* low income bracket: 저소득층
cf> bracket: (1) each of a pair of marks ( ) [ ] { } used to enclose words or figures,  (2) a category of people or things that are similar or fall between specified limits
ex> Most of the residents in the area are in the high income bracket.

Many students in need of free meals aren't coming forward out of embarrassment.

Politicians running for office pledged to provide free meals for all students.
* run for office: 공직에 출마하다.
* pledge: 공약하다.
ex> He made it clear that he doesn't have any interest to run for public office.
ex> Many candidates pledged to make life better for working class families.

Some agreed that providing free balanced meals for all students would cut down health problems down the road.
* cut down problems: 문제를 줄이다.
* down the road: in the long term, future, 장기적으로
ex> Regluar exercise and balanced meals will help cut down health problems.

Others argued that it was a waste of taxpayers' money to give away free meals to students who didn't need it.

They also noted that such a policy is unrealistic due to budget constraints.
* budget constraint: 예산상의 제약, limit, obstracle
ex> The recreational center was closed due to budget constraints. 문화센터가 예산상의 제약으로 문을 닫았다.

@ My head went blank.  머리가 멍해졌어.


1. How to address global warming is a hotly-debated issue.
2. Almost half of the students in this area are from families in the low income bracket.
3. He decided not to run for office this year.
4. You should eat a well-balanced meal to stay healthy.

2/16 Talk about professional translators and interpreters.

People who are multilingual can pursue a career in professional translation or interpretation.
* multilingual: 다중 언어를 구사하는
ex> Many restaurants in Europe offer multilingual menus.

This is a very demanding job that only a limited number of people are qualified for.
* demanding job: 만만치 않은 일, 직업. challenging, difficult
ex> It's highly demanding job that requires a lot of sophisticated skills.

Some people are blessed with the experience of naturally picking up a second language.

There are Master's programs that offer professional translation and interpretation training.
* Master's program: 석사 과정

T & I programs offer rigorous training to perfect one's skills to switch back and forth between two languages.
* rigorous training: strict, difficult, 혹독한 훈련.
* switch back and forth: 오고 가다, 왔다 갔다 하다.
ex> Youngsters go through rigorous training for many years to become a member of girl group.
ex> You should be able to switch back and forth between two languages for the job.

The demand for professional linguists has been steadily growing.
* linguist: 어학자
ex> The demand for multilingual talent is growing.


@ He's kind of a loner.  그는 친구가 별로 없어.

i

2/15 Why do Koreans study English so hard?

Many Koreans throw themselves into their English studies with much determination.
* throw oneself into: ~에 매진하다, 전념하다.
* determination: 결심

Students study English hard in school as it is one of the major subjects.
* major subject: 주요 과목

Some people simply enjoy the language and take joy in learning it.
* take joy in: ~하는 것을 즐기다.
ex> Among of all my hobbies, I take joy in listening to classical music.

Others feel that being English-savvy is important for their careers.
* English-savvy: 영어를 잘하는 것. skillful for sth.
ex> It's easy to use even if you're not tech-savvy at all.
ex> Being English-savvy may help you get ahead in your career.

They feel that being proficient in English will give them a competitive edge.
* be proficient in: fluent, ~을 유창하게 하다, 능숙하게 하다.
* competitive edge: 경쟁 우위
ex> You should be proficient in one or two foreign languages.
ex> You need to develop your English skills to get a competitive edge.

More and more students are going abroad to study where English is spoken.
ex> Many newly-weds go abroad for their honeymoons.
ex> Living in a country where English is spoken will definitely help your language skills.

For all these reasons and more, there is a whole array of English language schools in Korea.
* an array of: 일련의
* English school: 어학원

@ We blew him off.  그 친구 바람 맞혔어.

1. He takes joy in making donations.
2. He is the most English-savvy person in our office.
3. Many people want to become proficient in English.
4. I graduate from high school in a country where English was spoken.

2/14 Talk about what Koreans do for Valentine's Day.

Koreans celebrate Valentine's Day in their own unique way.
ex> I'd suggest that you deal with it in your own way.
Rather than the guys buying treats for the girls, it's typically the other way around.
* treats: 선물
* the other way around: 반대의 상황.
ex> What if it's the other way around?

This is different from the West as the males typically feel more pressure to impress the females.
* impress: 감동시키다, 깊은 인상을 심어주다.

The ladies get their turn to be treated exactly a month later on White Day.
* get one's turn: ~할 차례가 오다.
ex> You will get your turn to explain what happened later.

It's the guy's trun to reciprocate and buy the girls candy.
* reciprocate: 보답하다. 답례하다.
ex> We'd be happy to receprocate the favor you did for us.

Valentine's Day could be the perfect opportunity to profess your affection for someone.
* profess one's affection: 좋아하는 감정을 고백하다.
ex> I never had a chance to profess my feelings for him

Couples in love will usually go out for a romantic dinner.
* go out for dinner: 저녁식사를 하러 외출하다.


@ He's kind of flakey.  그 친구 막판에 마음을 바꾸는 경향이 있어.
Does he usually go against his word?  본인이 한 말을 잘 안지키니?

1. I dealt with the situation in my own way.
2. The situation was the other way around.
3. Please raise your hand to get your turn to speak.
4. I would like to reciprocate your kindness.

2/12 Talk about subway manners.

It's important to follow basic public transportation etiquette when riding the subway.
ex> You should try to follow basic etiquettes while mingling with people.

The most basic of rules is to keep the special seats reserved for the elderly vacant.
* reserved for: ~을 위해 예약된.
* vacant: 비어 있는.. keep ~ vacant: 비워 두다.
ex> There aren't many vacant seats left.

Sprawling out and taking up more than one seat is just plain rude.
* sprawl out: to sit or lie down with your arms and legs spread out in relaxed or awkward way
ex> The puppy was sprawled out on the carpet.

Reading the newspaper spread wide open is also frowned upon.
* be frowned upon: 눈살을 찌푸리게 하다.
ex> I can't understand people reading the newspaper spread wide open in a jam-packed subway.

When the subway is jam-packed during rush hour, just keep to yourself as much as you possibly can.
* keep to yourself: 남에게 피해를 주지 않다.

@ Think on your feet.  민첩하게 생각하라, 순발력 있게 대처하라.

1. It's important to follow the basic etiquettes at the workplace.
2. This room is reserved for the distinguished guests.
3. He always sprawls out when he sits on a chair.
4. The train was jam-packed with commuters.

2/11 Talk about student exchange programs at universities.

Students who want a one-of-a-kind experience should look into student exchange programs at their schools.
* one-of-a-kind: 유일무이한, the only one like this

Many colleges across the nation offer overseas exchange programs.
* across nation: 전국적으로
ex> Visitors from across the nation came and took part in the festival.

They link up Korean universities with schools all over the world.
* link up ~ with: ~와 연결시키다.
ex> We are trying to link up other charities working in the area.

You can even walk away with course credits acknowledged by your school.
        -> ... bring back course credits ...
* course credit: 수업 학점
* acknowledge: 인정하다
* walk away (with something): ~을 수월하게 차지하다. ~을 가지고 떠나다
ex> Sometimes, it's best to just walk away from certain situations.

You don't have to take time off (from) your school.
* take time off from school: 휴학을 하다.
ex> I want to take some time off work sometime next year.

Exchange programs allow students to immerse themselves in a new culture.
* immerse oneself in: ~에 몰입하여 경험하다, plunge in

@ You're like a breath of fresh air!  넌 정말 신선한 느낌이야.
I can be kind of blunt.  내가 좀 솔직해서 말이야.


1. He had the opportunity to participate in an overseas exchange program.
2. The program links up Korean students with others all over the world.
3. How many credits do you have to acquire to graduate?
4. I took time off work to go on a backpacking trip.

2/10 Talk about the city of Changwon.

In 2010, the cities of Changwon, Masan, and Jinhae were officially merged to form the Unified City of Changwon.
* merge: 통합하다, 합병하다.
ex> The two business divisions were officially merged into one.

This places Changwon within the ranks of other major cities.
* place within the ranks of: ~와 등등한 위치에 놓이게 하다.
= Changwon joined the ranks of other major cities.
ex> The Olympic Games places Korea within the ranks of other newly emerging economies.

Masan was known for its high-tech industry.
* be known for: ~로 유명하다.
ex> He is well known for his articulate speeches.

Changwon was noted for its free export zone.
* be noted for: ~로 잘 알려져 있다.
* free export zone: 수출 자유 지역
ex> He is noted for his great taste in fashion.

Jinhae was famous for being home to the Korean Navy.
* be home to: ~가 소재한 곳이다.

With each of their strengths combined, they have a stronger competitive edge.
* competitive edge: 경쟁 우위
ex> Our company has a competitive edge with our extensive experience in consumer electronics.

@ I drunk dialed him.  술 마시고 걔한테 전화했어.


1. The two banks are set to merge next year.
2. Changwon was placed within the ranks of other major cities.
3. This area was designated as a free export zone.
4. The company needs to improve its competitive edge on product quality.

2/9 Talk about migrant workers in Korea.

More and more migrant workers are crossing Korea's borders to start a life here.
* migrant worker: 이주 노동자
* cross the border: 국경을 넘다, 이주하다. = coming to Korea
ex> Many migrant workers come to Korea for job opportunities.

That's probably a conservative estimate because many migrant workers are here illegally and get paid under the table.
* conservative estimate: 보수적인 추정치
* get paid under the table: 불법으로 보수를 받다.
ex> They offered him a lot of money under the table to see the plan through.

A good number of them have their rights abused.
* have one's right abused: 권리를 침해당하다.
ex> More measures are needed to prevent the rights of temporary workers being abused.

This could be through low pay, ill treatment, or unsafe working conditions.
* ill treatment: 부당한 대우
ex> The number of reported ill treatment cases against migrant workers has declined.

The film shed some light on the plights of migrant workers in Korea.
* shed light on: ~을 조명하다.
* plight: hardship, 곤경, 궁지, 애환
ex> We need to shed light on the astrocities committed by the Japanese during the Second World War.


@ I'll get on it right away.  지금 당장 하겠습니다.


1. The number of migrant workers who come to work in Korea is increasing.
2. Many migrant workers get paid under the table.
3. Migrant workers often have their rights abused.
4. The forum will shed light on where the global economy is headed.

2/8 Talk about the rise in the number of multicultural families in Korea.

Multicultural families in Korea have been on the rise in recent years.
* multicultural family: 다문화 가정.
* on the rise: 증가하는
ex> Smart phone users have been on the constant rise.

Multicultural families are formed when a Korean native marries an immigrant spouse and have children.
ex> Many men who live in rural areas opt to marry immigrant spouses
ex> The rights of immigrant workers should be protected more thoroughly.

Currently about 10 percent of marriages in  Korea are interracial.
* interracial: 인종혼합의
ex> Interracial marriages are commonplace in America, aren't they?

This is a sign that Korea is transitioning out of being a homogeneous society.
* transition out of: ~에서 바뀌다.
* homogeneous society: 단일 민족 국가  cf> heterogeneous
cf> homogenous: 균질의, 상동의
ex> This is a sign that we are transitioning out of the first generation of mobile devices.

There are agencies that match up these women with Korean men.
* match up ~with: ~와 연결시켜 주다.

These Korean men typically live in rural areas and want to tie the knot.
* tie the knot: 결혼하다.
ex> I'm so happy to hear that you're finally going to tie the knot.

@ Stop being such a crybaby and take responsibility for your actions.
애처럼 징징대지 마.
I can't believe mom grounded me for two weeks.


1. We can easily see multicultural families in Korea nowadays.
2. The number of Korean marrying immigrant spouse is on the rise.
3. Korea is still a homogeneous society to a certain degree.
4. I think he has finally decided to tie the knot.

2/7 Talk about graduation ceremonies in Korea.

Graduation ceremonies in Korea take place during the month of February.
* graduation ceremony: 졸업식
ex> School hold graduation ceremonies around this time of year.

Graduation is an important milestone and rite of passage in one's life.
* rite of passage: 통과의례
ex> A rite of passage is a ritual or an event that marks a person's progress from one status to another.


The ceremony kicks off with the school principal giving a speech.
* kick off: 시작하다.

There are a couple of other speeches given by a graduation speaker and an underclassman representative.
* underclassman representative: 재학생 대표
cf> 수석졸업생: valedictorian, 차석 졸업생: salutatorian
ex> The graduation speaker delivers a speech on behalf of the student body.

Others even rip off the school uniforms that they're wearing or go streaking.
ex> I found that page ripped out.

There have also even been incidents where seniors violently haze the new graduates.
* haze: 신고식을 하다, 괴롭히다.
ex> Some violent hazing rituals have been the cause of controversy.


@ Don't be such a downer.  분위기 좀 망치지 마.
cf> party-pooper: 파티 분위기를 망치는 사람

2/5 Talk about a fall you had on a winter day.

Freezing temperatures leave our joints and muscles tense and stiff.
* freezing temperature: 영하권 기온
* tense: 긴장한
* stiff: 굳은, 뻣뻣한
ex> Some people prefer to stay at home in the winter because of the freezing temperatures.
ex> I went to get a massage to loosen up my stiff muscles.

Not to mention that winter-wear tends to be bulkier and harder to move around in.
* bulky: too big and taking up too much space, bulky equipment
ex> I like wearing this bulky coat because it's warm.
cf> 입고 돌아다니는 것은 사람이기 때문에 move around in 으로 전치사 in을 반드시 붙인다.
ex> The dress is so tight that I can hardly move around in it.

As if that wasn't bad enough, the ice and snow make the streets and sidewalks very slippery.
* slippery: wet, smooth or oily so that it slides easily or causes somothing to slide, 미끄러운
ex> You have to be extra careful when the sidewalks are slippery.
* as if that wasn't bad enough: 이것도 모자라서..

Last winter, I fell pretty hard in front of the bus stop near my house.

I was almost at the bus stop when I saw my bus arrive up ahead.
* up ahead: 바로 앞에

All of a sudden, I felt my feet slip out from under me and I landed on my butt on the icy snow.
ex> He fell backwards and landed on his butt.

My hands took the brunt of the fall, but I was still pretty sore.
* take the brunt of: ~의 충격을 받다.

It was humiliating because the entire bus witnessed my fall!
* humiliating: making you feel ashamed or stupid

@ Everyone's jaw dropped.  모두 놀라서 입이 쫙 벌어졌어.

2/4 Talk about public baths in Korea.

There are several different types of public baths in Korea.
* public bath: 공중 목욕탕
ex> The concept of public baths is not familiar to most Westerners.

You can think of a 찜질방 as a Korean-style mega-sauna.
* mega-sauna: 대형 사우나
ex> Some people think of hoursework as a big hassle.

The bathing areas are split up by sex.
ex> The dormitory floors were split up by sex.

There's also a common area open to both sexes to mingle and socialize.
* mingle: 섞여서 어울리다.
ex> I like to mingle with my friends after work.

You can kick back and enjoy a good TV show or movie as well.
* kick back: 편히 쉬다.

The beauty of these establishments is that many places are open around the clock.
* around the clock: 24시간 내내
ex> Convenience stores are open around the clock.

@ You're beating a dead horse.  전혀 무의미 한 짓이야.

1. You can easily find public baths in Korea.
2. Mega-saunas are very popular among young people as well.
3. I'm not good at socializing with people.
4. He works around the clocks these days.

2/3 Talk about open recruitment by Korean corporations.

Many Korean companies hire their employees through an open recruitment process.
* open recruitment: 공채
ex> Companies are coming up with various ways to hire good employees.
ex> He got the job at the company through an open recruitment process.

Large Korean companies hold yearly recruitments where many jobseekers apply.
* yearly: annually
* jobseeker: 구직자, job hunter
ex> Many jobseekers apply for positions during yearly recruitment.

There are several rounds, starting with the basic submission of one's resume.

A group of qualified applicants are selected to move on /based on the resumes that are submitted.
* move on: 계속 진행하다.
ex> He was one of the few applicants who move on to the final interview.

The next few rounds are usually interviews with different levels of management.
ex> Half of the applicants were eliminated after the first round of interviews.

Depending on the type of job, applicants may be tested on various skills.
* be tested on: ~에 대한 검사를 받다.
ex> The applicants will be tested on their English speaking skills.

There may be group discussions, mock presentations and even training camps.
* mock presentation: 모의 발표
cf> mock up: 시제품을 만들다, mock test: 가상의 시험

@ There you go.  바로 그거야. 그렇지!
You are a natural!  너 아주 타고 났구나.

1. My company holds open recruitment twice a year.
2. Jobseekers first submit their resumes to various places.
3. Only ten applicants can move on to the next round of interview.
4. Applicants are tested on their communication skills.

2/2 Talk about food delivery in Korea.

Korea's food delivery system is second to none.
* be second to none: 최고이다,
ex> This hotel is second to none in Korea.

You can order pretty much anything under the sun and have it delivered right to your door.
* anything (everything) under the sun: 거의 모든 것이든
ex> You can buy anything under the sun on the internet.

Even McDonald's delivers hamburgers door-to-door in some locations in Seoul.
* door-to-door: 집앞까지
ex> The grocery store offers free door-to-door delivery service.

You name it, they will deliver it!  말만 하면 무엇이든지 배달이 된다.

You don't necessarily have to tip the delivery person.
ex> I don't necessarily have to attend the meeting.

Most delivery people use scooters to zip around through even the busiest of streets.
* zip around: 빠르게 다니다.

While some restaurants use disposable dishware, others use reusable ones to deliver their food.
* disposable dishware: 일회용 그릇
* reusable: 재사용이 가능한
ex> We should try to use reusable dishware instead of disposable ones.

Frank and I are not on good terms.
Did you guys get into a fight?
@ He blew up at me over nothing.  나한테 폭발했어.
You know how sensitive he is about some things.

2/1 Talk about the shipbuilding industry of Korea.

One of the driving forces of the Korean economy is the shipbuilding industry.
* shipbuilding industry: 조선 업계
cf> shipyard: 조선소
The manufacturing industry has long been the driving force of the Korean economy.

Korea is home to seven out of the top ten shipbuilding companies in the world.
* be home to: ~의 소재지이다.
ex> The island is home to the largest shipyard in the nation.

Korea eventually attained leadership of the market in the late 90s.
* attain leadership: 선두를 차지하다.
ex> Experts forcast that Asia will attain leadership of the global steel industry.

The country's success was achieved through government subsidies, highly advanced technology and the strong work ethics of the labor force.
* government subsidy: 정부 보조금
* work ethics: 직업의식, 직업 윤리.

Korea's shipbuilding yards are noted to be highly productive and efficient.
* be noted to: ~로 널리 알려져 있다.
ex> Koreans are noted to be very diligent and hardworking.

Korea's still one of the top players in the shipbuilding industry.
* top player: 선두 주자
ex> We are one of the top players in the wind power industry.

@ Let's be fashionably late.  약간만 늦게 가자.

1/31 Give a detailed description of Insadong.

One of thes prime tourist sites in Seoul is Insadong, which is located right at the heart of Seoul.
* at the heart of: ~의 중심에, 의 한복판에
ex> The museum is located right at the heart of Seoul.

The underlying theme of Insadong is tradition, and this is evident right at first glance.
* underlying: 근저에 깔려 있는
* at first glance: 첫 눈에

The area is packed with traditional tea shops, galleries, museums, and antique shops.
* be packed with: ~로 가득차다.
* antique shop: 골동품점
ex> This subway line is packed with people every morning.
ex> be pack like sardine.  콩나물 시루처럼 가득찬

You can easily find trinkets and accessories that represent Korea there.
* trinket: 장신구
ex> There are many street vendors that sell traditional trinkets to tourists.

When you feel like eating something uniquely Korean, you can stop by one of the many fine resturants.
ex> The problem about this design is the lack of something uniquely Korean.

Insadong neighbors Kyungbok Palace, which used to be the royal family's home back in the day.
ex> My office neighbors a nice park that you can take a walk in.
ex> Back in the day, it was a big city.

The palace grounds are definitely another venue worth giving a visit.
* give a visit: 방문하다.

@ He's one of us.  우리 편이야, 우리 동료야.

1/29 Talk about what you think about long-distance relationships.

I have always been a firm believer that long- distance relationships are doomed to fail.
* long-distance relationship:
ex> Though it is difficult, I have been maintaining a long-distance relationship with my girlfriend.
* be doomed to: ~할 운명이다., destined to
ex> The plan was doomed to fail.  그 계획은 애당초 실패할 수밖에 없었어.

I speak from personal experience.
ex> Are you speaking from experience?

The saying "out of sight, out of mind" kicked into play.
* kick into play: happen, come into play, 효과를 발휘하다, 작용하다.

I was crushed and vowed to break things off should any of my future relationships become long-distance.
* be crushed: heart-broken, 상당히 힘들어 하다.
* break things off: 관계를 끝내다.
** If any of my future relationships should become long-distance 에서 If가 생략되고 should가 앞으로 도치되었음.

One of my co-workers is slowly softening me up towards the idea.
* soften up: 부드럽게 만들다.

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

The fact that they're apart makes their reunions all the more sweeter.
ex> Being apart makes our relationship all the more valuable.

@ There's still more to come.  아직도 많이 남았어.

1/28 Talk about postnatal care centers in Korea.

There are postnatal care centers for women who have just given birth.
* postnatal care center: 산후 조리원
ex> Postnatal care centers for mothers are very common in Korea.

These facilities help mothers recuperate after childbirth.
* recuperate: recover from illness or exertion, 기력을 회복하다.
ex> She is staying at her mother's home to recuperate after childbirth.

This is different from the U.S., where mothers recover at home with occasional out-patient visits to their obstetrician.
* out-patient visit: 통원 치료
* obstetrician: 산과의사  cf> gynecologist: 부인과 의사,

The duration of stay at postnatal care centers is usually about two weeks.
ex> During their stay, mothers are provided with any support they need.

The whole point of these centers is to help mothers get back on their feet.
* get back on one's feet: 기력을 회복하다, 재기하다.
ex> She took a year off from work to get back on her feet. 건강을 회복하기 위해 1년 동안 휴직했다.

This is achieved through basic infant-care education, relaxing massages, and nutritious meals.
* infant-care education: 신생아 육아 교육

Their quality services can come with a hefty price tag.
* hefty: 두툼한, 가격이 비싼.
ex> We paid a hefty price for this car.
ex> Renovating your entire house comes with a hefty price tag.

So, it's important to do your homework beforehand.
* do one's homework: 사전 조사를 하다. 철저히 준비하다.

@ She spilled the beans!  비밀을 다 말하고 다녔어.
= Let the cat out of the bag.

1/27 Talk about Korean females being more and more active in the workforce.

Korean women are much more active in the workforce compared to in the past.
* be active in the workforce: 직장생활을 활발하게 하다.
ex> That demographic has been the mainstay of the country's workforce.

Women are becoming increasingly more capable of standing on their own two feet.
* stand on one's own two feet: be independent, 독립하다, 자립하다.
ex> It's time that you learn to stand on your own two feet.

Their career achievements are rivaling those of men.
ex> They have been rivaling each other ever since their childhood.

Double income families are becoming the norm.
* norm: average, standard, 표준, 보편
* double income family: 맞벌이 가정
ex> E-mails have become the norm for efficient communication.

On the flip side of the coin, husbands and society as a whole will have to become more involved in childcare.
* childcare: 육아
* as a whole: 전체적으로
* on the flip side of the coin: 그 이면에는

@ It's like looking for a needle in a haystack.  헛수고하는 것 같아.