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Living Alone or Together? Korea’s Changing Families!

Introduction

Hello! This is [Daily Korean], here to upgrade your Korean skills to the next level! 👋

Today, we are going to talk about a very important topic in our modern world: Global Citizenship and Diverse Family Forms.

Recently in Korea, the definition of “family” is changing rapidly. Have you noticed the trend? It’s no longer just about a mom, dad, and children. From the explosive popularity of the TV show I Live Alone (나 혼자 산다) to news about “chosen families,” society is buzzing with discussions about how we live.

As a global citizen, being able to explain and respect these different lifestyles is a crucial skill. Let’s learn how to discuss this sophisticated topic in Korean!

Today’s Key Expressions

Here are 4 essential expressions to help you talk about modern families like a pro.

1. 1인 가구 (One-person household)

• Pronunciation: [Ir-in ga-gu]
• English Meaning: One-person household / Single-person household
• Detail: This is a formal term used in news or reports, but also commonly in daily conversation to describe people living alone. It is much more specific than just saying “혼자 살아요 (I live alone).”
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  • Look closely at 1인. It is written as il-in, but it is pronounced [ir-in].
  • This is due to the Liaison rule (연음 법칙). When a final consonant (batchim) is followed by a vowel, the sound travels over to the next block. So, 일 (il) + 인 (in) sounds like 이린 (irin). Smoothly connect them!

2. 존중하다 (To respect)

• Pronunciation: [Jon-jung-ha-da]
• English Meaning: To respect
• Detail: This is a key verb for B2 level learners. You use this when you want to say you respect someone’s opinion, lifestyle, or choices. It is slightly more formal than just “liking” something.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  • Pronounce the J in Jon and jung clearly.
  • Sometimes, in fast speech, the ㅎ (h) in 하다 becomes weak, sounding almost like [jon-jung-a-da], but for clear communication, keeping the h sound is good practice!

3. 편견 (Prejudice)

• Pronunciation: [Pyeon-gyeon]
• English Meaning: Prejudice / Bias
• Detail: To be a global citizen, we need to get rid of this! You often use it with the verb “to have” (편견을 갖다) or “to throw away/discard” (편견을 버리다).
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  • This word uses the yeo (여) sound twice. Make sure your mouth is open enough.
  • It is not [pyun-gyun]. It is [Pyeon-gyeon]. Keep your jaw relaxed!

4. 받아들이다 (To accept / To embrace)

• Pronunciation: [Ba-da-deu-ri-da]
• English Meaning: To accept / To embrace
• Detail: This is used when you accept a new culture, a different idea, or a change in society. It implies actively taking something in.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  • Liaison again! 받아 is read as [bada]. The ㄷ (t/d) sound moves to the empty circle placeholder.
  • So, don’t say bat-a. Say [ba-da]. It sounds like the Korean word for “sea” (바다)!

Real-Life Conversation

Let’s see how these words are used in a conversation between two friends, Minji and Alex. They are discussing a recent documentary about changing family trends.

Minji: 알렉스, 어제 그 다큐멘터리 봤어? 요즘 한국에도 1인 가구가 정말 많아졌대.
(Alex, did you see that documentary yesterday? They said there are really a lot of one-person households in Korea these days.)

Alex: 응, 봤어! 결혼하지 않고 친구랑 사는 사람들도 나오더라. 정말 신기했어.
(Yeah, I saw it! People living with friends without getting married were on it, too. It was fascinating.)

Minji: 맞아. 예전에는 이상하게 생각하는 사람도 있었지만, 이제는 다양한 삶의 방식을 존중해야 한다고 생각해.
(Right. In the past, some people thought it was strange, but now I think we need to respect diverse lifestyles.)

Alex: 동감이야. 가족에 대한 편견을 버리고, 서로의 다름을 받아들이는 게 중요한 것 같아.
(I agree. I think it’s important to get rid of prejudice about family and accept our differences.)

Culture Tip & Trend Analysis 🇰🇷

Did you know? The rise of the “Normal Family” debate.

In the past, the “Normal Family” (정상 가족) in Korea strictly meant a married couple with children. However, this concept is being challenged by the MZ Generation.

• Hon-jok (혼족): This is a slang term for people who enjoy doing things alone (eating, drinking, traveling). It has evolved into a proud lifestyle choice.
• Living with Pets: Many people now consider their pets as their only family members, calling themselves “Butlers” (집사) to their cats!
• Dramas: Recent K-Dramas like The Atypical Family or Search WWW often show characters who choose not to marry or who live in non-traditional setups.

Using the word “존중하다” (to respect) when discussing these trends will make you sound very sophisticated and culturally aware!

Wrap-up & Practice

Today, we learned how to talk about diverse families and global citizenship in Korean. Remember, language is not just about words, but about understanding the changing culture!

📝 Mini Quiz:
Fill in the blank with the correct word from today’s lesson.

“우리는 다른 사람의 생활 방식을 ( ________ ) 태도가 필요해요.”
(We need an attitude that respects other people’s lifestyles.)

1. 편견 (Prejudice)
2. 1인 가구 (One-person household)
3. 존중하는 (Respecting)

Leave your answer in the comments! Also, tell us about the family trends in your country using today’s expressions!

See you in the next lesson! 안녕! 👋