5/4 Talk about Korea's economic growth in the last few decades.

It's no understatement to say that Korea's economy went from nothing to a force to be reckoned with.
* understatement: 부족한 묘사,억제된 표현
* a force to be reckoned with: 만만치 않은 상대.
ex> That player is a force to be reckoned with, so we need to guard him extra heavily.

After the Korean War in the 50s, the country was left in ruins.
* be left in ruins: 폐허가 되다.
ex> The small town was left in ruins after the tornado hit.

Many Korean brands such as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG have become household names all around the world.
* household name: 누구나 알 만한 이름
ex> That singer is a household name all around the world.

That's not to say that there weren't a couple of serious hiccups along the way.
* hiccup: 딸꾹질, 난관

Korea's economy posted a minus growth of 6.9% in 1998.
* post minus growth: 마이너스 성장을 하다.
ex> Having posted minus growth for the first time, she felt the pressure to bring sales back up.

The country bounced right back (up) to grow 9.5% in 1999 and 8.5% in 2000.
* bounce back: 반등하다, 회복하다.
ex> The kid bounced back (up) after he fell off his skateboard.

In the aftermath of the global recession that hit 2008, Korea recovered relatively quickly.
* in the aftermath of: ~의 여파 속에서

@ It's an oldie, but a goodie. 옛날 것이지만 정말 멋진 작품이야.


1. They are a force to be reckon with in the political arena.
2. The area that tsunami swept through was left in ruins.
3. My company is hardly household name yet.
4. The country's economy posted minus growh for two straight years.