The Hidden Journey: Fashion Supply Chains & Ethics

1. Introduction

Hello! This is [Daily Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills to a professional level!

Today, we are going to dive into a topic that goes beyond simple daily conversation. Have you ever looked at the tag on your T-shirt and wondered, “How did this get here?”

We are going to trace “The Global Supply Chain of a T-shirt.”

Nowadays in Korea, “Value Consumption (가치 소비)” is a massive trend. People don’t just buy clothes because they are pretty; they care about the environment and human rights involved in the process. Understanding the vocabulary related to this complex journey will allow you to participate in high-level discussions about economics, society, and ethics in Korean.

Let’s unravel the story behind the fabric!

2. Key Expressions

Here are 4 advanced expressions to help you discuss the fashion industry and global economics.

1. 공급망 (Supply Chain)

• Pronunciation: [Gong-geum-mang]
• English Meaning: Supply Chain
• Detail: This refers to the entire network of entities, directly or indirectly interlinked and interdependent in serving the same consumer or customer. In the context of a T-shirt, it covers everything from the cotton farm to the retail store.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  • Did you notice the pronunciation is [Gong-geum-mang], not ‘Gong-geup-mang’?
  • This is due to Nasalization (비음화). When the ending consonant ‘ㅂ(p/b)’ meets the nasal sound ‘ㅁ(m)’, the ‘ㅂ’ changes to the ‘ㅁ’ sound for smoother flow.
  • Rule: ㅂ + ㅁ → [ㅁ + ㅁ] (e.g., 업무 [eom-mu]).

2. 원자재 (Raw Materials)

• Pronunciation: [Won-ja-jae]
• English Meaning: Raw Materials
• Detail: These are the basic materials from which a product is made. For a T-shirt, the won-ja-jae would be cotton (면) or synthetic fibers.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  • Pronounce each syllable clearly. The ‘재(jae)’ sound is similar to the ‘ja’ in “jazz” but with an ‘eh’ ending.

3. 노동 착취 (Labor Exploitation)

• Pronunciation: [No-dong chak-chwi]
• English Meaning: Labor Exploitation
• Detail: This is a heavy but necessary term when discussing the history of fashion. It refers to treating workers unfairly for one’s own benefit. It is often discussed alongside “Fair Trade” (공정 무역).
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  • ‘착취’ can be tricky. The ‘ㄱ(k)’ in 착 meets ‘ㅊ(ch)’ in 취.
  • While there is no sound change rule here, make sure to pronounce the ‘ch’ sound in ‘chwi’ sharply. It requires a burst of air (aspiration).

4. 지속 가능성 (Sustainability)

• Pronunciation: [Ji-sok ga-neung-seong]
• English Meaning: Sustainability
• Detail: This is a buzzword in the Korean corporate world (ESG management). It refers to the ability to exist constantly, specifically regarding environmental conservation in fashion.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  • Linking sound (Liaison): When ‘속(sok)’ meets ‘가(ga)’, the ‘ㄱ’ sound carries over naturally. However, here we pronounce them relatively distinctly to emphasize the meaning of the compound word.

3. Real-Life Dialogue

Let’s see how these advanced terms are used in a conversation between two friends discussing a new purchase.

Min-ji (A): Wow, did you buy a new shirt? The fabric feels amazing.
Hyun-woo (B): Yeah, I bought it from a brand that focuses on sustainability.
Min-ji (A): Oh, is it one of those eco-friendly brands?
Hyun-woo (B): Exactly. They disclose their entire supply chain transparently. They guarantee there is no labor exploitation during the manufacturing process.
Min-ji (A): That’s impressive. It seems like raw materials are important, but the process matters even more these days.

(Korean Translation)
민지 (A): 우와, 셔츠 새로 샀어? 원단이 정말 좋다.
현우 (B): 응, 지속 가능성에 중점을 둔 브랜드에서 샀어.
민지 (A): 아, 그 친환경 브랜드 말하는 거야?
현우 (B): 맞아. 거기는 공급망을 투명하게 공개하더라고. 제조 과정에서 노동 착취가 없다는 걸 보증해 줘.
민지 (A): 대단하다. 요즘은 원자재도 중요하지만, 과정이 더 중요한 것 같아.

4. Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive

“Value Consumption” (가치 소비) and the MZ Generation

In Korea, the “MZ Generation” (Millennials + Gen Z) is driving a major shift in the market. They don’t just buy products; they buy values.

• Don’t Buy “Fast,” Buy “Right”: The term “Fast Fashion” (패스트 패션) is often criticized now due to environmental concerns. Conversely, brands that emphasize “Upcycling” (업사이클링) or “Vegan Fashion” (비건 패션) are gaining huge popularity.
• Checking the Label: Just like in our dialogue, many Koreans now check if a company practices ESG management (Environmental, Social, and Governance). If you use the word “지속 가능성 (Sustainability)” or “윤리적 소비 (Ethical Consumption)” in a debate or an essay, you will sound like a highly educated and socially aware speaker.

Using these words shows that you understand not just the Korean language, but the current mindset of Korean society!

5. Conclusion & Practice

Today, we followed the journey of a T-shirt to learn high-level vocabulary related to the economy and ethics. These words are essential for C2-level proficiency, allowing you to read news articles and participate in social debates.

📝 Mini Quiz:
Fill in the blank with the correct word we learned today!

“To protect the environment, many companies are trying to improve their _________ to reduce carbon emissions.”
(환경을 보호하기 위해, 많은 기업들이 탄소 배출을 줄이려고 [ _______ ]을/를 개선하고 있습니다.)

1. 노동 착취 (Labor Exploitation)
2. 공급망 (Supply Chain)

Answer: (Scroll down to check!)
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The answer is 2. 공급망 (Supply Chain)!

Did you get it right? If you want to sound like a native intellectual, try making a sentence using “지속 가능성” in the comments below!

See you in the next post! 👋