4차 산업혁명

Korean Reading Material #3 for Advanced Korean Learners


4차 산업혁명

인공지능과 빅데이터, 만능해결사 못돼
사회양극화·인간소외 문제에 대비해야

다보스라는 스위스의 작은 마을에서 시작된 '4차 산업혁명'이 우리 사회 최고의 화두가 돼버렸다. ICT를 기반으로 하는 인공지능·사물인터넷(IoT)·모바일·로봇·드론이 세상의 모든 것을 네트워크로 연결시켜주는 시대가 시작된다는 것이다. 인공지능의 위력은 빅데이터와 딥러닝으로 무장한 '알파고' 덕분에 확실하게 확인했고, 모바일의 위력도 충분히 경험했다. 그런데 4차 산업혁명의 장밋빛 청사진보다 현재의 교육이 무용지물이 되고, 일자리의 절반이 사라져버릴 것이라는 위협적인 주장이 많은 사람들의 신경을 건드리고 있다.

기계화(1784)와 대량생산(1870)의 직접적인 영향은 생산현장에 한정된 것이었다. 물론 그런 변화만으로도 인류 문명 전체가 완전히 달라졌다. 농경과 목축에 의존하던 인류가 대도시로 몰려들었고, 소비가 미덕이라는 전대미문의 구호도 등장했다. 엄청난 부를 축적한 선진국도 등장했지만 많은 국가들이 식민지의 극심한 고통을 겪어야만 했다. 그럼에도 불구하고 오늘날 인류는 역사상 가장 화려하고, 안전하고, 풍요롭고, 민주화 된 삶을 누리고 있는 것은 사실이다1969년에 정보화를 기반으로 시작된 3차 산업혁명 경우에는 사정이 달랐다. 인터넷과 스마트폰이 직접 소비자의 품을 파고들었다. 개인용 컴퓨터가 일상화 되었고, 휴대폰과 SNS가 인류의 삶을 통째로 바꿔놓았다. 사회적 소통의 방식이 근본적으로 달라졌고, 거대한 규모의 닷컴 기업이 등장했다. 개방·혁신·효율로 상징되는 SNS가 독재정권을 무너뜨린 재스민 혁명의 기폭제가 되기도 했다. 지구촌이 하나라는 세계화·시장경제·자유무역의 거센 열풍도 시작되었다. 비록 대중문화에 한정된 것이지만 뜨거운 한류의 열풍도 정보화의 산물이다.

ICT 기반의 4차 산업혁명은 훨씬 더 큰 변화를 예고하고 있다. 산업현장에서의 변화는 이미 '인더스트리 4.0'의 형식으로 진행되고 있다. 생산기기와 제품을 IoT로 연결함으로써 제조 과정 전체를 자동화·최적화한 '스마트 팩토리'(지능형 공장)가 목표다. 단순한 노동력보다 창의적인 기술개발과 혁신이 기업의 경쟁력을 결정하게 된다. 이제 값싼 노동력 기반의 경쟁력을 고집하는 사회는 더 이상 살아남지 못하게 된다. 인더스트리 4.0의 구현에 성공하는 사회가 미래의 선진국이 된다. 국가적 차원에서 산업구조의 적극적인 변화를 시도할 수밖에 없다.

우리의 일상생활도 적지 않게 변화할 것이다. 인공지능으로 무장한 다양한 로봇과 드론의 출현은 기정사실이다. 고령화 사회에 큰 역할을 할 휴머노이드도 속속 개발되고 있고, 원격으로 조정하는 가전제품으로 채워진 스마트 홈도 실현단계에 있다. 자율주행 자동차들이 스마트 고속도로의 혼잡과 정체를 어떻게 극복하는지를 확인하게 될 날도 멀지 않았다. 이제는 인간이 로봇과 대화를 해야 하고, 사물인터넷으로 연결된 기계들이 서로 대화하는 놀라운 세상이 시작되고 있다.

인공지능과 빅데이터가 만들어줄 새로운 세상에 대한 긍정적인 기대는 당연한 것이다. 세상의 모든 것과 실시간으로 연결되는 세상에서의 삶이 모험적이고 신선할 수도 있다. 그렇다고 무작정 새로운 세상에 대한 환상에 젖어 있을 수는 없다. 과거에도 그랬듯이 4차 산업혁명이 현대를 살아가는 우리 모두에게 기적을 가져다 줄 가능성은 크지 않다. 앞으로도 빈부의 격차와 지역·세대·인종·종교·이념의 갈등은 계속될 것이 분명하다. 인조인간과 빅데이터가 사회 문제를 모두 해결해줄 것이라는 기대는 버려야 한다.

4차 산업혁명의 그림자에 대한 준비도 필요하다. 인더스트리 4.0에 적응하지 못한 사회는 몰락의 길을 걸을 수밖에 없다. 개인적으로도 재앙적인 상황이 벌어질 수 있다. 일자리가 줄어들면 양극화가 더욱 심화될 것이고, 인간 소외의 문제는 더욱 심각해질 가능성이 크다. 누구나 기적같은 창조적 기술을 개발하고 즐기는 창의적 인재가 될 수는 없다. 평범한 사람들도 함께 더불어 살아갈 수 있는 대안을 마련해야 한다. 4차 산업혁명 시대를 위한 교육의 구체적인 내용에 대한 깊은 고민도 필요하다.

이덕환 서강대 과학커뮤니케이션 교수, 탄소문화원 원장

출처: 디지털 타임스

셀카, 셀카봉 그리고 SNS

Korean Reading Material #2 for Korean Learners (Intermediate)

셀카, 셀카봉 그리고 SNS

스마트폰 카메라가 널리 보급되면서 새롭거나 의미 있는 순간을 만나면 당연한 듯 자신의 모습을 찍는 사람들이 늘어났다. 놀이공원에 놀러 간 학생들부터 국제 행사에 참가한 세계 각국의 지도자들까지 남녀노소 신분과 지위에 상관없이 누구나 카메라로 자신의 모습을 찍는다. 젊은이들은 흔히 '셀카'를 찍는다고 말하는데, 이는 '셀프 카메라(self camera)'의 줄임말이다. 영어로는 '셀피(selfie)'라고 하는데 이런 신조어들이 나타날 정도로 자기 자신의 모습을 찍는 현상이 너무나도 자연스러워졌다.
특히 카카오톡이나 페이스북 등 소셜미디어에서 셀카 사진은 문자와는 다른 메시지 전달력으로 많은 사람들과 공유되고 있다. 인스타그램에는 하루 평균 7,000만 장의 사진이 게시되고 있는데, 친분이 없는 사람들도 관심사가 같으면 언제든지 소통할 수 있어 점점 더 큰 인기를 끌고 있다. 이처럼 소셜미디어 속 사진들은 스마트 시대의 가장 강력한 사회적 소통 수단, 즉 또 하나의 '언어'가 되고 있다.
긴 막대기 끝에 카메라나 스마트폰을 달아 셀카를 쉽게 찍을 수 있게 해 주는 기구인 '셀카봉'은 스마트폰이 낳은 최고의 발명품이라고 할 수 있다. 최초의 셀카봉은 1925년에 개발되었다고 하지만, 그 당시 카메라들은 너무 무거워 셀카봉에 장착하기 힘들었고, 결국 널리 보급되지 못했다. 2014년 우리나라에서 스마트폰을 이용한 셀카 붐이 일면서 셀카봉은 많은 사람들의 필수품이 되었다.
하지만 셀카 열풍에 따른 부작용도 만만치 않다. 사생활 노출로 피해를 입거나 사진 촬영에 지나치게 몰입하다가 사고를 당하는 경우도 많아졌기 때문이다. 몇 달 전 페루의 한 폭포에서는 한국인 관광객이 셀카를 촬영하다가 떨어져 사망하기도 했다. 무엇이든 지나치면 문제가 되는 법이다. 그러나 셀카는 자신의 매력을 드러내고, 사회적 관계를 형성하는 데 중요한 수단이 된다는 점에서 앞으로 그 열풍이 쉽게 사그라들지는 않을 듯하다.


Vocabulary
- 셀카: selfie
- 셀카봉: selfie stick
- 남녀노소: 남자와 여자, 늙은이와 젊은이란 뜻으로, 모든 사람을 이르는 말
- 열풍: 매우 세차게 일어나는 기운이나 기세를 비유적으로 이르는 말
- 붐이 일다: 어떤 사회 현상이 갑작스레 유행하거나 번성하다
- 사그라들다: 삭아서 없어져 가다



출처: 중학 독서평설 11월호(VOL.275)

헬조선, 대한민국의 현주소?

Reading Material #1 for Korean Learners (Intermediate)


헬조선, 대한민국의 현주소?

요즘 어딜 가든 심심찮게 들을 수 있는 말이 하나 있다. 바로 '헬조선'이다. 헬조선은 우리나라의 옛 이름인 '조선'에 지옥이란 뜻의 영어 단어 '헬(hell)'을 붙인 합성어이다. 풀이를 하자면 '지옥 같은 대한민국'인데, 왜 '헬대한민국'이 아닌 '헬조선'일까 하는 의문이 있을 수 있다. 사람들은 이렇게 해석을 한다. 조선시대에는 지금과 달리 신분제 사회였는데, 현재 대한민국의 현실을 들여다보면 그때와 비슷하다는 것이다. 재산이나 소득에 따라 사람들의 삶이 나뉘고, 아무리 노력해도 자기 삶의 수준을 벗어날 수 없는 세상. 그것이 바로 헬조선이라는 신조어가 탄생한 배경일 수 있다.
전문가들은 대한민국이 이렇게 갑갑한 신분 사회처럼 느껴지는 이유를 심각한 '양극화'에서 찾는다. 양극화란 서로 다른 집단이 점점 더 달라지고 멀어진다는 뜻이다. 경제적 양극화가 심해지면 사회적인 양극화까지 나타난다. 돈이 많은 사람과 돈이 없는 사람 사이에 벽이 생긴다는 말이다. 그런데 정말 심각한 문제는, 이 벽이 넘기 어려울 뿐만 아니라 시간이 흐를수록 점점 더 견고해지고 높아진다는 것이다. 예전에는 개천에서 용 난다는 말이 있을 정도로, 풍족하지 않은 형편이라도 열심히 노력하면 더 나은 삶을 기대해 볼 수 있었지만, 이제는 이 말이 옛말이 되어 버린 듯하다.
특히 소득에 따라 교육비 지출에 큰 차이를 보인다. 통계청이 조사한 올해 1분기 고소득 계층의 교육비 지출은 66만 5,461원이다. 반면 소득이 가장 낮은 계층은 8만 3,297원으로 무려 8배나 차이가 난다. 이러한 교육비 지출 격차가 학력 차이로 이어지고, 그것이 빈부 격차로 이어지면서 부도 가난도 대물림되는 사회가 만들어 지고 있는 것이다. 이렇게 양극화된 헬조선 사회에서는 갈등이 많을 수밖에 없고, 사회 통합은 그림의 떡일지도 모른다.
헬조선이란 말이 유행처럼 쓰이는 지금, '헤븐(heaven) 대한민국'으로 나아가기 위해서는 어떤 노력이 필요할까? 무엇보다 국가나 기업이 적극적으로 나서서 좋은 정책을 마련하고 시행해 나가야 한다. 특히 교육으로 인한 불평등을 줄이기 위해 저소득층 학생들을 위한 복지 혜택을 늘리고, 경쟁과 성과를 강조하는 교육에서 벗어나 학생들의 희망과 행복을 위한 교육이 이루어져야 할 것이다. 그러한 교육의 기회가 누구에게나 공평하게 주어질 때, 개천에서도 용이 나는 행복한 나라가 될 것이다.



Vocabulary

- 신조어: 새로 생긴 말

- 개천: 시내보다는 크지만 강보다는 작은 물줄기

- 분기: 일 년을 4등분 한 3개월씩의 기간 (1분기: 일 년 중 첫 3개월)

- 풍족하다: 매우 넉넉하여 부족함이 없다

- 대물림: 사물이나 가업 따위를 후대의 자손에게 남겨 주어 자손이 그것을 이어 나감

- 마련하다: 갖추다

Proverb

- 개천에서 용난다

: 가난한 부모에게서 훌륭한 인물이 남

- 그림의 떡

: 아무리 마음에 들어도 이용할 수 없음

출처: 초등 독서평설 11월호 (VOL.132)

Hotels in Jinju (진주의 호텔)

1. 동방호텔
2. 아시아 레이크사이드호텔
3. J Square 호텔
4. 골든 비즈니스호텔

Foreign Foods in Jinju (진주의 외국 음식)

1. Japanese Food
Japanese restaurants are quite easy to find in Korea, but it is hard to find a decent one that everyone will like. Of course it depends on the food you would like. For me, what first comes to mind when I think of Japanese food is ramen―not sushi actually 'cuz I don't like raw fish that much. Thankfully, a new Japanese ramen place opened this year near the GNU back gate. The owner used to run a food truck. I think I'm a little unlucky because I missed the chance to eat at the truck. But anyway, I could finally try its famous ramen on a hot day a couple of months ago. I really recommend their Tongotsu ramen, or pork broth ramen, and cold ramen if it's a hot summer day. The shop also serves some other dishes like a rice bowl dish, fried noodles, or some Japanese side dishes. These would go well with a glass of beer as well.

- 김씨네 라멘트럭 (Mr. Kim's Ramen Truck)
   Tongotsu ramen, Cold ramen, Yaki soba , etc
   Gajwadong area (300m from the GNU back gate towards MBCine)

2. Vietnamese Food
Because there are some migrant workers from southern asian countries in Jinju, foreign shops began to pop up in their densely populated area Sangpyeongdong. The majority of the workers is actually Vietnamese, so you can find a few Vitnamese restaurants whose owners are from Vietnam. Though Pho, the Vietnamese rice noodles, is quite popular in Korea, I couldn't find a Vietnamese restaurant in Jinju after the trend faded a few years ago. (There's such a food trend in Korea..I guess these days it is take-out steak) So when I found this shop where the owner is actually from the food's homeland, I was really happy, thinking I could eat authentic Vietnamese foods. The shop has actually a large menu, but I was there to eat Pho, not anything else!!! For me, I really liked the soup and the pepper sauce. If you miss kimchi to go with noodles, don't worry. They serve it too.

- 베트남 식당 (Vietnamese Restaurant)
   Pho (쌀국수)
   Sangpyeongdong (300m from the 공단광장 사거리 bus stop)

3. Spanish Food
Spain...I'm still interested in this country, but it is spiritually too far a country for me. Jinju and Spain, the two words together also sound a bit awkward. However, after an international couple of a Korean woman and a Spainish man started their married life here in Jinju, things are changing. They are trying to intoduce Spanish culture to the people here, giving some Spanish classes as well. Recently, even a Spanish restaurant opened in Chiramdong area. It is very pleasing for me because someone else other than the couple is trying to do something that is related to Spain. I haven't been there yet, but I'd like to go sooner or later.

- Hola Jinju
  Spanish bistro pub & cafe
  Chiramdong 500-3 (near Gyeongnam Culture & Art Center)


Below are the lists of other foreign foods in Jinju. Hopefully, I will write something about them too in a near future.

4. Mexican Food
- 홈리스 (Homeless)
  Downtown (near Galleria)

- 행그리 케이브 (Hangry Cave)

5. Indian Food
- 아그라 (Agra)
   Pyeonggeodong 916

6. Chinese Food

-  여기다 양꼬치 (Lamb Skewers Here)
    Sangdaedong

- 북경장 (Pukyeongjang)
   Downtown

7. American Food

- 핫도그 브라더스 (Hotdog Brothers)
  GNU back gate and Chungmugongdong area

8. French Food

- 빠리지엔느 (Parisian)
  쿠스쿠스 (55,000won), 라클레르(60,000won), 프랑스가정식파스타세트(18,000won)
  신평공원길 61-1

Transportations in Jinju (진주의 대중교통 / Bus&Taxi)

When you travel around Jinju, what you'll use most will be a bus or a taxi. What most tourists here do is to take a taxi rather than a bus, because the taxi fare is pretty cheap, and almost all bus drivers here are too aggressive. But if you'd like to go out of your way and blend in with the locals, a bus would be a better option for you.

Here is how the bus system works in Jinju.

- Bus Fares: Adults 1,300 won(1,250) / Adolescents 900(850) / Children 650(600) *Cash(Card) 

- Payment: Cash or card (T-money, Cashbee, Hanaro, and all sorts of deferred payment cards)

- Bus Numbers:

Taxis here work almost the same as other cities in Korea. The starting taxi fare is 2,800 won for the first 2km, unless it is between midnight and 4am, when the fare goes up 20%. If you go beyond their business areas, which are usually "dong" areas, the extra charge will also apply. (20%)

When you take a taxi, you just say your destination followed by the honorific ending "-yo(요)." For example, "Homeplus-yo(홈플러스요)." If you want to sound more polite, you can say, "(Your destination)-lo kajuseyo(로 가주세요)."

Reference: 나무위키

Temple stay in the vicinity of Jinju

Whether you are a foreigner or a Korean, staying a night at a temple will be a special experience for anyone who is bound by busy city life. You can not just get some fresh air of the secluded mountain, but also have some peaceful moments over meditations and temple eating service called kongyang (공양).

There are as many temples as churches in Korea, but I recommend you to visit to a larger one that provides translation.

Temple stay might be a little tiring for some of you because you have to get up at three in the morning and vow deeply a hundred times. But you will definitely feel that you will become healthier and more relaxed.

My recommendations are on the list below.

1. Haeinsa Temple, Hapcheon (해인사, 경남 합천)

- Distance: 1.5 hour from Jinju

- Fee: ₩60,000 (3 meals included)

- Rooms: Family type(3-4ppl), Group type(up to 25ppl) with floor heating system

2. Ssanggyesa Temple, Hadong (쌍계사, 경남 하동)

3. Songgwangsa Temple, Suncheon (송광사, 전남 순천)

The pictures below were taken when I visited to Haeinsa with my buddies last month. 

<Temple adventurers from Korea, US, and Japan>

<after making yeomju, or Buddhist prayer beads>

<a pagoda in front of the main hall, or Daeungjeon>

<Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks>

<Mt. Gaya, in which Haeinsa Temple is nested>

Jinju (NO Jeonju) bibimbap (진주 비빔밥)

Well, Jeonju(전주) is well-known for bibimbap in Korea, but Jinju also has a different kind of bibimbap. When people from other cities hear about Jinju bibimbap, they ask back "Is there such a thing in Jinju?" Then the question gets on my nerves. It's like hometown pride.

Jinju bibimbap is special in that raw beef is topped on rice. There's a long history about why Jinjuities started to add raw beef to bibimbap. If I'm not mistaken, the origin has to do with the Imjin War. Another characteristic is that vegetables are usually seasoned after parboiled rather than fried, which is more common in Jeonju bibimbap. In addition, the vegetables are usually chopped in the size of a bite.

Anyway, then do local people really go to eat Jinju bibimbap? Perhaps nah. Most of the customers are tourists. This isn't because it's not tasty but because it's kind of small dish for the price. (￦8,000~) However, as a visitor, raw beef bibimbap will be a unique cuisine that you can taste in Jinju.

Here are a few restaurants that are well-known for bibimbap.

Jinju yukwoi bibimbap at Seolya (설야)

- 제일식당 

- 천황식당 

- 망경식육식당
- 하연옥

- 갑을가든
- 설야 

Museums and Art Galleries in Jinju (updating)

Museums
1. Jinju National Museum (국립진주박물관)

2. Jinju Bronze Age Museum (진주 청동기문화 박물관)

3. Land and Housing Museum (토지주택 박물관)
개관시간 : 10:00 ~ 17:00
휴관안내 :
매주 일요일, 공휴일, 10월 1일(창사기념일),
5월 1일(근로자의 날)
관람료 : 무료
[주소] 경상남도 진주시 충의로 19
[노선]내리실 정류장명: LH본사/LH4단지ㆍ110번 : 진주역 → LH본사 → 시청 → 연암공대ㆍ111번 : 연암공대 → 시청 → LH본사 → 진주역ㆍ152번 : 초전동차고지 → LH본사 → 진주역 → 경상대학교ㆍ296번 : 진양호삼거리 → 시청 → LH본사 → 진주노인요양병원
http://museum.lh.or.kr/info/info.asp

4. GNU Museum (경상대 박물관)

5. Jinju Water Museum (진주 물문화관)
이용시간:10:00~17:00

쉬는날: 매주 월요일, 1월 1일, 설/추석 연휴, 기타 물문화관 운영상 사정에 의한 휴관

이용요금: 무료
Address: 경상남도 진주시 내동면 삼계로 455-46

Art Galleries
1. Gyeongnam Culture and Arts Center (경남문화예술회관)

2. Jinju Municipal Lee Seongja Gallery (진주시립 이성자미술관)

3. Jinju Gallery (진주미술관)
Address: 경남 진주시 명석면 관지리 신촌 466-3번지 [진주 미술관 누룽지백숙 작은동물원] 

4. Kkotgol Art Gallery (꽃골아트갤러리)
Address: 경상남도 진주시 정촌면 화개리 968

5. Jinju Garosu-gil (진주 가로수길)

6. Insadong Antique Street (인사동골동품거리)

Vacation cabins in Naechon Lake Village(내촌호수마을)

If you go beyond the city center, there's a beautiful lakeside village called Naechon-ri. There some vacation cabins, locally called 'pension'(펜션), are nested just steps away from crystal clear waters of Jinyang Lake.

Source

There are ten or so pensions in the village. Some of them share a large playground, so you can play with a ball as well. Also, since a cosmos festival is being held nearby these days (late September), I guess you can feel fall is finally in the air. In other words, now is the best time to take a picture with the flowers in the back. Like other vacation cabins you can see in your country, you can cook inside or have barbecue outside too.

The pensions have different sizes of rooms from a double room to a large room for a group of people. The prices differ depending on the rooms. I guess they are a bit expensive: a double room is around ￦80,000-100,000. So you need to check each house before booking. They don't usually provide English service on the websites or on the line, I think you better ask your Korean friend to make a reservation. The list of pensions are below.

Source

Reservation: 

솔하우스앤갤러리 www.solgallery.kr/

내촌호수마을 www.hosutown.com/

피노키오 www.ppen.kr/

로만티카 http://www.로만티카.kr/ 

언덕위에하얀집 www.hayanzip.net/

달강 www.dalgang.kr/

허브향펜션 www.herbchon.com/

해여울펜션 www.clhouse.kr/

가을동화 www.schoolfarm.co.kr/

Address: Naechon-ri, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

How to get there: It's a bit far away from the city center, so you need to drive there. If you don't have a car, you can take a taxi for less than 15,000 won. If you want to save money, the village bound bus(343) is also in operation four times a day.

How to learn Korean on your own

These days, many foreigners who speak Korean very fluently appear on multiple TV programs. Particularly, Tyler Rasch, who appears on 'Non-summit Talk(비정상회담)' as the representative of America, often surprises viewers for his Korean skills.

How can you become such a successful Korean learner as him? Maybe the only key is practice over and over. Here's some tips for learning Korean on your own.

1. Learn hangeul using fun applications for starters.
Hangeul is the Korean alphabet system. Sometimes people mix it with the language itself. But it's not. Hangeul is pretty easy to learn. Once you learn the basic consonants and vowels, you can read and write most of the Korean words. If you just decided to learn it, I recommend you the smartphone application PopPopping Korean. You can learn everything about hangeul from the creation principle of the consonants and vowels to the sound of each letter.

Download it here. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.kr.co.eduhansol.poppingKorean

2. Use Korean learning websites or blogs

If you're not in Korea, the best way to learn Korean is to use lots of contents on the internet. For starters, Talk to me in Korean provides different types of free learning materials from grammar instructions to Korean news articles, and you name it. Because the team always tries to teach Korean in a fun and creative way, you will be able to learn a lot of things not taught in a textbook like everyday Korean expressions. And it's also good that they try to interact with the site users using lots of SNS instruments. 


King Sejong Institute is also a well-developed website to learn Korean online, which is operated by Korean government. It offers services in multiple languages such as Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mongolian, Thai, Indonesian, Russian and French. And you can use or download many materials on the site for nothing. This site is especially good to learn not only Korean language but also Korean culture: Korean lifestyle, pop culture, etc. It recently started to post webtoons of Korean folk stories in different languages. 

If you are a big fan of Running Man, try Wiseinit. You can find many posts about words from the popular variety show. Not only that, it also has lots of posts about hanja (Chinese characters), which is very useful when learning advanced Korean words. The posts are all written in English.

- Talk to me in Korean  http://www.talktomeinkorean.com
- King Sejong Institute  http://www.sejonghakdang.org/sjcu/home/main.do

- Wiseinit http://wiseinit.com - KoreanClass101  http://www.koreanclass101.com

- Sogang University  http://korean.sogang.ac.kr
- K-Pop Korean  http://study.korean.net/servlet/action.app.KpopAction?p_menuCd=m201

3. Subscribe fun Youtube channels

If you like to watch videos on Youtube, subscribe these channels teaching Korean. Talk to me in Korean shares lots of video clips about Korea and Korean language, which are mostly recorded in English. And they make some podcasts spoken in Korean, too.

Another channel that I recommend is Korean Englishman (영국남자), which is immensely popular with young Koreans. The Youtuber is from London, and he's been making videos about his life in England and his love for Korea in fluent Korean. When I fist watched his video, I was really surprised at his fluent Korean since it was still uncommon for me to see non-Asians speak such good Korean. The topics he addresses in his videos are also really interesting, and show current trends of Korea very well. So I guess you can get the sense of many things about Korea from a foreigner's point of view in his videos.

Koreal Story is about Korean culture and the experiences of the foreigners who live in Jinju, Korea. Culture is a very important factor in learning a new language, so the videos of Koreal Story will help you understand Korean culture from the point of view of foreigners.

- Talk to me in Korean https://www.youtube.com/user/talktomeinkorean

- Korean Englishman (영국남자) https://www.youtube.com/user/koreanenglishman

- Koreal Story https://www.youtube.com/user/korealstory

4. Use Korean learning infographic
Learning a new language steadily is not easy. But why don't you break down things into small pieces like infographics? When you don't have time and energy to open your book or laptop, just scroll down your smartphone. 

Dom&Hyo is a blog about a Korean and American couple's relationship and their life in Korea. Thankfully, they give away a ton of interesting infographics, and if you want, you can buy them in a form of poster. Since they draw webtoons, their materials are all cute.

Another site I recommend is Korea Times, which is a Korean English newspaper. It also provides a daily infographic every day. I guess their expressions are quite difficult for beginners. But they are all very useful and everyday expressions, so why not learn them as well?

- Dom&Hyo  http://domandhyo.com/
- Korea Times (Easy Korean)  www.ktimes.com/EasyKorean

5. Watch Korean shows

Korean shows are the best source in learning Korean, I think. They're easy to find, and they're very fun to study with. When I was in Australia, I used to attend a language exchange. I still remember an Aussie guy learning Korean watching Korean dramas. I thought our drama is a bit different from Western culture's, but he really liked it. So my first recommendation is his favorite back then, Secret Garden(시크릿 가든).

Other hit dramas that I recommend you

- Full House (풀하우스, 2004)

- Dream High (드림하이, 2011)
- My Love From the Star (별에서 온 그대, 2013)

- Misaeng (미생/an incomplete life, 2014)
- She Was Pretty (그녀는 예뻤다, 2015)
- Reply 1997, 1994, 1988 (응답하라 1997, 1994, 1988)
- Cheese in the Trap (치즈인더트랩, 2016)

If you go into the site below, you can learn some useful expressions intensively, watching video clips from Korean hit dramas.

- Pit-a-pat Koren

Drama Fever provides free streaming services of Korean dramas, but unfortunately you cannot watch the videos in Korea.

- Drama Fever http://www.dramafever.com

If you'd like to learn a lot of slangs or everyday expressions, variety shows are more useful than dramas because actors in dramas tend to try to speak only exact expressions and pronunciations, which is what people don't usually do.

Current variety shows that I recommend you

- Running Man (런닝맨)

- Infinite Challenge (무한도전)

- Nonsummit Talk (비정상회담)
- Please Take Care of  My Refrigerator (냉장고를 부탁해)
- My Little Television (마이리틀텔레비전)

6. Join language exchange groups

Getting a Korean friend is also a great way to learn Korean. If you want to meet a native speaker of Korean, how about locating a language exchange group around you first. If you live in Jinju, there are a couple of meetings that take place every week.

- Further information

The Jinju's best places to see fall colors

The air is cooling and the sky is so clear these days. It's a bit early to post this, but the trees around us will turn red soon. Jinju's fall is especially beautiful, and lots of festivals take place in this season. Here are the best places to see the leaves change colors this fall.

1. Gyeoongnam Arboretum (경남 수목원)

Located in the outskirts of Jinju, Gyeongnam Arboretum is locally called as Banseong Arboretum (반성수목원). It is the place where Jinjuities like to go to spend their weekend with their significant others on and off. Since it is a little far away from the city center, people think all the way to the place is also good to drive.

The arboretum is quite huge. It has various exhibition facilities, gardens, and forest museum. The small zoo halfway through the arboretum is also very popular for kids. My favorite spot is the metasequoia-lined road in the picture. Walking along the road is quite romantic, so I strongly recommend you to visit there, especially if you're dating someone.

>>Source

• When: late October
• Where: Yibanseon-myeon (30 mins from the city center)
• How to get there: The best way is to drive. If you take a bus (280,281,283,283,380), you have to transfer at the Banseong terminal to the shuttle bus.

2. Jinju Castle 

Jinju Castle is good to visit every season, but my favorite is definitely fall, when the leaves of trees turn yellow and red. I like to chill out sitting on the benches or the grass there while feeling the cool air. If you go up the hill in there, you can also look down the river flowing along the castle.

3. University campuses
Jinju is sometimes called an educational city since there are relatively many schools considering the size of the city. There are a few places where I like to pay a visit in fall.

- Gyeongnam Science and Technology University (경남과기대)












Located in Chiramdong area, GNTech University has a very nice park in the campus. The most beautiful place, I think, is the metasequoia-lined road. Some couples visit for wedding photoshoot.

- Gyeongsang National University (경상대학교)
The largest university in Jinju has a beautiful campus with lots of different trees and buildings. After a walk there, the front gate area is also good to hang out with your friends.

4.Daepyeong cosmos festival

Driving around Jinyang Lake, which is the best driving course in Jinju, you will finally get to the large field with cosmos in full bloom. The blue sky and different colors of the flower will become a perfect background for your pictures.

Daepyeong Cosmos Festival (Jinyang Lake)  >>Source

• When: From late September through the beginning of October
• Where: Naechon-ri, Daepyeong-myeon

5. Jinju Chrysanthemum Festival 

Along with cosmos, the representative flower of fall is chrysanthemum. In November, Jinju Stadium starts to give out the strong fragrance of chrysanthemum due to the annual chrysanthemum display. It is held with Jinju International Agriculture and Food Expo every year, so there will be a ton of things to see.

>>Source

• When: the beginning of November
• Where: Jinju Stadium

Shopping in Jinju

I'm not much a fan of shopping, so I don't know many shops in Jinju. But here's brief information about shopping in Jinju. 

1. Galleria (Department store)

First off, people usually go downtown to get some clothes and stuff. Around Daean-dong, many clothes and shoes shops are lined up along streets. I personally prefer to go to Galleria because I don't like to move around different places in the sun. 

>>Image credit

Address: 195 Pyeongan-dong Jinju-si Gyeongsangnam-do

Operating Hours: 10:30-20:00

2. Rodeo street (Pedestrianized street 차없는 거리)

If you like unbranded stuff, there are many shops in Rodeo Street or the main roads. I guess you will encounter more brand shops than unbranded ones, but it's quite interesting to stroll around to find a local shop selling cute clothing. Frankly speaking, however, Jinju's Rodeo street is not that distinctive. But occasionally you will also be able to see some groups of people perform there, or conduct a campaign. 

Shops on Rodeo Streets

- Uni Qlo, Nike, New Balance, Top 10, etc

- ABC mart, Les More

- other general clothing and shoe stores

3. MODA Outlet

Last year, a large shopping complex opened in a suburban area called Jeongchon-myeon. MODA is the biggest one with more than 150 brand shops, and on the huge shopping complex are also some other outlet shops like Orange Factory or LF Fashion. So I think if you have a car, MODA is the best place to buy clothes for less at the moment (a bigger outlet is under construction in Innovation City). The price ranges are average I guess. And it has larger collection of last season clothes than any other places in the downtown area, so chances are you can get the sizes you want.

Address: 1276-1 Yeha-ri Jeongchon-myeon Jinju-si

Operating Hours: 11:00-21:00 (weekdays), 10:30-21:30(weekends)

Inquiries: 055-923-1100

Directions: Bus 123, 126, 134 (5 min walk from the Jeongchon-myeon Office stop), 

Bus 133, 150 (10 min walk from the Hoiwon-maeul stop)

4출] 모다아울렛 진주점 위치|작성자

 모다아울렛 진주점

>>Image credit

4. Jinju Joong-ang Market

>>Image credit

If you fancy shopping in a traditional market, visit to Jinju Joong-ang Market in downtown. Most clothes shops are usually for older people, but a few shops like Seoul Apparel(서울의류) have clothes for younger people too. In addition to clothes, there are lots of interesting things to see like a food street, creative handmade lanterns and so on.

Address: 8-1 Jinyangho-ro 547-gil Jinju-si Gyeongsangnam-do

Operating Hours: 04:00-19:00ish

Inquiries: 055-741-2151

Homepage: http://yudeungmarket.com

5. Underground shopping mall

In downtown, there's an  underground shopping center. Unfortunately, all the shops are closed now for renovation, which is expected to begin soon. 

Under construction

6. Home Plus Jinju Branch

Home plus Jinju branch is technically a supermarket, but it has outlet-like clothes shops on its first and second floors. I guess it's good to look around briefly when you go grocery shopping there. On the 8th floor there is also a public bath and a gym.

Address: 304 Daesin-ro Jinju-si Gyeongsangnam-do

Operating Hours: 09:00-24:00

Inquiries: 055-771-8000


7. Lotte Mall

A big shopping mall opened recently in Inno City. ... (updating w/ pics soon)

8th Golmokgil Art Festival (제8회 골목길아트페스티발)

Details>> https://www.facebook.com/Golmoggil

8th Golmokgil Art Festival is just around the corner. I remember the festival used to be held in late August, but this year it has held off a little bit. I guess the weather will be much better to look around the festival than before.

The festival is organized by Golmokgil People (골목길 사람들), which is mostly composed of many local artists. It's not been that long since it started, so I'm really afraid that not many people are aware of its existence. I myself participated in the 6th festival as part of a group guitar performance. Back then, I also didn't know much about the festival except that something happens during the time of the year. However, this festival is actually what makes Jinju a real "cultural and artistic city", which I grew up hearing so often although I didn't understand why Jinju is so.

As indicated in the name, the main venue is the Golmokgil, or an alley, stretching from the Jinju Post Office to Jinju Educational Office. There the main performances are supposed to be held on Wed. 9th and 12th September. Not only that, a variety of events are held throughout the city. (Please check details below.)

What I recommend you is the finale performances which is held on the 12th night. Looking back on the festival I took part in two years ago, I was very impressed by the fact that a small side street could become a nice concert hall. My favorite (except for my team) was the parade in the beginning. Luckily, it seems that the parade is going to open the night again.

Also, Uslung Market, a flea market which is held every second and fourth Saturday in downtown, will be temporarily open on the 9th at 4 PM, in addition to its regular opening on the 12th.


And I bet kids will go crazy when they see the dreamy bubbles a Japanese ajeossi makes at the finale.

Anyway, I hope you won't miss the exciting festival. :)

■ PROGRAMS
(I just translated the information on the poster into English on my own. So there could be misunderstanding in the translation and I didn't put a few of them here because they were a little tricky to translate. Please understand that.)


◆ Main Program 1 (시민 광장 프로그램 1) (9/9, Wed. / Jinju Educational Office)
- 마당극(itinerant folk entertainers)<남남북녀 혼례판굿> / 큰들문화예술센터 / 7:30 PM
- <꿈꾸는 아이들의 전시회> / 꿈꾸는 미술학원 아이들
- Uslung Market (어슬렁 마켓, a flea market) / 4-8PM





◆ Main Program 2 (시민 광장 프로그램 2) (Sat. 9/12, 6PM / Jinju Post Office)
- Golmokgil Parade / Saenori (새노리)
- 사겨딴스 / dance / Im Mi-kyeong, Lee Ji-hye, Hwang Eun-hee
- 징기자끼 / group acoustic guitar performance / 시민통기타연주단
- Comic Mime Show / Ko Jae-gyeong
- <ENDAND> / acoustic performance / 서미이샘, S.N.B.
- <Bubble Bubble> / bubble Mime / 오꾸다 미시시 (a Japanese mimer)
- Golmokgil Art Market

◆ Exhibitions

-  <노닐다> / Kim Hye-young / Fine art / Sep. 7-13 / Witches (brunch cafe), Gajwa-dong(가좌동)
- <낭만> / Kim Dae-yeol / Photography / Sep. 7-20 / 더 공감 (cafe), Gajwa-dong(가좌동)

- <풍경에 스며든 색> / Lee Han-woo / Oil painting / Sep. 7-13 / 진주 아이클생협 자연드림 카페 (cafe), Pyeonggeo-dong(평거동)
-  <눈빛발사> / Seo Hye-jeong / Fine art / Sep. 1-30 / 안카페 (cafe), Chiram-dong(칠암동)
-  <김연우 개인전> /  Kim Yeon-woo / Fine art / Sep. 7-30 / 커피포트, Manggyeong-dong(망경동)
- <Art Book Collection> / Lee Mi-kyeong / Book art / Sep. 7-13 / E su Dcrart, JungAn-dong(중안동)
- <플레이링> / Sep. 7-13 / 까사오띠모, JungAn-dong(중안동)
- <풀냄새> / Kim Soo-yeong / Illustration /  Sep. 7-13 / 목요일오후네시, JungAn-dong(중안동)
- <습작-해바라기> / Shin Yong-gi / Illustration / Sep. 7-13 / Recycle Diary, JungAn-dong(중안동)
- <프리지베드> / Lee Hyeon-seo / 플라워영구보존 / Sep. 7-13 / Flower Island(플라워아일랜드), Yihyeon-dong(이현동)

◆ Performances
- <그녀에게> / Libera ensemble / Thu. Sep. 10, 8PM / Witches (brunch cafe), Gajwa-dong(가좌동)
- <Pop jazz pario> / Lee Seo-yoen / <Saxophone> / Jang Joo-hak / Sep. 11, 8PM / 커피포트, Manggyeong-dong(망경동) 

- Acoustic performance / Seo Chan-woo, Son Song-yi / Sep. 8, 2PM / 진주 아이클생협 자연드림 카페 (cafe), Pyeonggeo-dong(평거동)
- <벌레> / Lee San / Mime / Sep. 11, 8PM / Da Won (다원), Dongseong-dong(동성동)
- 가족극<책책책> / 극단 현장 / Sep. 13, 7PM / Hyeongjang Art Hall (현장아트홀), Dongseong-dong(동성동)

◆ Workshop
- Making a country clock / Sep. 9-10, 11AM-2:00PM / 팜, JungAn-dong
- Hand-made chocolate / Sep. 7-10, 10:30AM-12-30PM & 7-9PM / CHOCO SUP, JungAn-dong

[source]

Pic.2, 5 http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002018573

Pic. 3 http://m.idomin.com/?mod=news&act=articleView&idxno=456800

Pic. 6 http://hanisaje.tistory.com/m/post/8

Night View Spots in Jinju (진주 야경)

To be honest, Jinju is kind of a dark city at night unless it's the festival period. So it is hard to say that there's a stunning and wow night view here. But there are a few places local people (usually couples) visit to see the night view.

1. Mangjinsan(Mt.) Bongsudae(Beacon)

Shinan-dong area from the Mangjinsan(Mt.) Bongsudae(Beacon)

This place is in Manggyeong-dong area. If you're new to Jinju or just a visitor, it is a little hard to get there without a car. But you may be able to spot a tower-looking object lighted up on a mountain quite easily from everywhere in the downtown area. It's the lookout point of Mangjinsan Bongsudae. Though a few trees may obstruct your view, the place is pretty good to chill out with your significant others.  By the way, please don't judge the view by this picture. My terrible photography ruined the view actually. ^^;

• How to get there: The best way to get there is to drive or take a taxi. Some people ride a bike up to the top. If you dare to walk from around the Cheonsugyo(Brdg.), it will take you at least 30 minutes.

2. Seonhaksan(Mt.) 

The sunset from the top of Seonhaksan(Mt.)

The top of Sunhaksan was recently renovated, so now you can catch a bird's eye view of the city very clearly. From the lookout spot, you can see the most parts of the city, and when the weather is good, you can even see the Mt. Jiri, which is the highest mountain in South Korea.

• How to get there: For this place, you have to hike a little bit. The shortest course to get there is to start from near Dong Bang Hotel. There you can find a sign guiding you to the top of the mountain.

3. Sky lounge of GNTech University

Chiram-dong area from Sky Lounge of GNTECH University  >>Source

Except a number of apartments across the city, there are not many tall buildings which have a sky lounge. But if you go up to the highest floor of the Centennial Memorial Building of Gyeongnam Science and Technology (GNTech) University, you will encounter a restaurant on the one side and a cafe on the other side. The views from either side are great, but I prefer the cafe side because the houses and the lights along the river create a magnificent atmosphere at night. The food and coffee there? The food there is not recommended, and the coffee is so so I think.

• How to get there: If you drive, parking is not a problem. If you take a bus, you will get off right in front of the building, which is located by the main road.

Jinju Castle - Must-go Place in Jinju (진주성)

You can't say that you've been to Jinju unless you went to Jinju Castle(진주성). It is translated into a castle, but it is a fortress actually.

>>Source

The best part of the fortress is Chokseongnu Pavilion, arguably one of the most beautiful ‘nugaks’ (multi-storied building without walls) in Gyeongsang-do Region. It was once used as a stronghold in the times of Jinju Daecheop(a great battle between Korea and Japan in the period of Joseon Dynasity).

As the building is now open to everyone, so you can go up to the second floor. If you get into the pavillion, you can catch the view of the river that runs under the building, and the surrounding area. What I like most about the place is the cool air that grazes my skin when I got up there. Amazingly, no matter how hot the outside is, the old building is always cool.

>>Source

Getting out of the pavilion, you will see a broad park. And along the walls, you will see many historical relics. If you're not much a history explorer, you can just take a stroll talking to your company.

Walking along the walls, you will get to Jinju National Museum. It is based on Imjin Waeran (Japanese Invasion in 1594) so there are a lot of relics about the war at the museum.

The best season to visit the castle is "fall", I think. The colors of the trees are really amazing, and it is when the lantern festival is held! So you will see the castle filled with lots of beautiful lanterns.

And the fortress covered with white snow displays a different view as well. When it snows (though it rarely does), many photographers don't miss the opportunity to contain the extraordinary scenery of the white Chokseongnu in the camera lenses.