Contents

Acknowledgments

Understanding and Interacting with Koreans

A

Abeoji 아버지 The “Father” Culture

Adeul 아들 The “Son” Culture

Aeyok 애욕 Eroticism in Korean Life

Anae 아내 Wives: The Inside People

Anshim 안심 Peace of Mind

Arirang 아리랑 The Korean Soul Song

B

Baduk 바둑 A Learning Game

Baek Il 백일 The Hundredth Day Party

Bipyeong 비평 The Pitfalls of Criticism

Bohojuui 보호주의 Protectionism Korean Style

Bojeungkeum 보증금 Paying “Key Money”

Bok/O-Bok 복/오복 Blessings from the Spirits

Boksu 복수 The Need for Revenge

Bulgyo 불교 The Buddhist Wave

C

Chaebeol 재벌 The Industrial Colossi

Chae-myeon 체면 Saving Everybody’s Face

Chakeupjajok 자급자족 The Self-Sufficiency Syndrome

Chameulseong 참을성 You Gotta Have Patience!

Changpi 창비 The Shame Culture

Chebeol 체벌 Collective Punishment

Chimsul 침술 Needling Cosmic Power

Chingu 친구 Cultivating Friends

Chung Loyalty in a Korean Setting

D

Dabang 다방 Coffee Shops and Cafés

Dangol 단골 Creating Special Customers

Dodeok 도덕 Circumstantial Morality

Dojang 도장 Sealed with a Chop

Dong Ari 동아리 Hobby Groups

Dongchang Hoe 동창회 Alumni Groupism

Dongnip 독립 Independence vs. Tradition

E

Eumju 음주 The Great Equalizer

Eunhye 은혜 Social Indebtedness

H

Haekgajok 핵가족 Two-Generation Families

Haengbok 행복 The Pursuit of Happiness

Haksaeng 학생 The World of Korean Students

Hallyu 한류 The Korean Wave

Han The “Force” Is with Them

Han Yak 한약 The Herbal Way to Health

Hanbok 한복 People in White

Hangeul/Hanja 한글/한자 Korea’s Writing Systems

Hanguk 한국 The Korean Nation

Hanguksaram 한국사람 The Korean People

Hanguk Yeoksa 한국역사 Korea: A Historical Saga

Hanjeong Shik 한정식 A Korean Meal

Hankuk Mal 한국말 The Korean Language

Him A Passion for Power

Hoesa 회사 The Korean Company

Hwa Striving for Harmony

Hwangap/Jingap 환갑/진갑 Celebrating Sixty/Seventy Years

Hyo The Power of Filial Piety

I

Ilbonsaram 일본사람 The Japanese Factor

In’gan Kwan’gye 인간관계 Interpersonal Relations

Injong 인종 Affection and Compassion

Innae 인내 A Culture of Enduring

Insa 인사 Rounds of Greetings

Insam 인삼 The “Man-Root”

Ireum 이름 What’s in a Name?

Isangajok 이산가족 The Divided Families

J

Jayu 자유 The Power of Freedom

Jeol The Versatile Bow

Jeomjaengi 점쟁이 The Fortune-Tellers

Jeong Ties That Bind

Jeongbu 정부 Big Brother

Jeongmal 정말 The Color of Truth

Jeongshik 정식 Doing Things by the Book

Jeongui 정의 Justice Korean Style

Jeontu/Ssa-um 전투/싸움 Fighting at the Drop of a Hat

Jip Getting Family Approval

Jiwi 지위 Paying Attention to Rank

Jiyeok Kaldeung 지역갈등 The Scourge of Regionalism

Joguk 조국 The Mother Country

Jok The Korean Clan System

Jolbu 졸부 The Suddenly Rich

Jonggyo 종교 Faces of Korean Religions

Jongyeong 존경 Paying Proper Respect

Jonjung 존중 Deferential Honor

Josang Sungbae 조상숭배 Ancestor Worship

Joseon 조선 Land of Morning Calm

Juche 주체 Searching for Self-Reliance

Jungjaein 중재인 The Go-Betweens

Jungmae 중매 Arranged Marriages

Juso 주소 Finding the Right Place

K

Kajok 가족 The Korean Family

Kamdong 감동 When Emotions Were Taboo

Kanan 가난 Taking Comfort in Poverty

Kateun Sosui Bap 같은 솥의 밥 Eating from the Same Rice Bowl

Keomdo 검도 The Way of the Sword

Ki The Cosmic Force

Kibun 기분 Feelings Come First

Kidokyo 기독교 Christianity in Korea

Kimchi 김치 The Spice of Life

Kisaeng 기생 The Pleasure Girls

Komun 고문 Getting Good Advice

Kongja 공자 The Master of Masters

Kongpyeong 공평 Korean Fairness

Kongson 공손 Courtesy vs. Morality

Kosa 고사 The Good Spirits

Kukje Kyeolhon 국제결혼 International Marriages

Kukkajuui 국가주의 Korean Nationalism

Kunsa Munhwa 군사문화 The Military Culture

Kwageo 과거 Selecting the Brightest

Kwalli 관리 “Management Korean Style”

Kwallyojui 관료주의 Bureaucratic Authoritarianism

Kye The Group Approach

Kyeolhon 결혼 Marriage Customs

Kyeong Controlling the Mind

Kyeongjaeng 경쟁 Competition Korean Style

Kyojesul 교제술 Business Drinking

Kyoseop 교섭 Korean Negotiating

Kyoyuk 교육 Education and Power

M

Mangshin 망신 Avoiding Shame

Matbeoli bubu 맞벌이 부부 Two-Income Families

Mi Worshiping Beauty

Mudang 무당 The Spirit Mediums

Munhak 문학 Literature and Culture

Myeongham 명함 Playing Your Name Cards

Myeongye 명예 The Need for Honor

N

Namja/Nampyeon 남자/남편 The Outside Person

Ne/Anio 네/아니요 Yes and No

Noemul 뇌물 Bribery vs. Gift Giving

Nolli 논리 Beware of Being Logical

Nongbu 농부 The “Good” People

Norae 노래 Singing Your Way to Success

Noye 노예 The Pre-modern Slave Culture

Nunchi 눈치 Korea’s Cultural Telepathy

O

Oegugin 외국인 Encounters with Foreigners

Omeoni 어머니 Mothers as Saints

Ondol 온돌 Hot Times on the Floor

P

P’a The Faction Syndrome

Pi Si Bang (“PC Bang”) 피시방 Getting Online

Pongnyeok 폭력 The Violent Side

Po Teol 포털 Korean Internet/Portal Sites

Pulda 풀다 Eliminating Office Stress

Pumjil 품질 Quality as a Cultural Thing

Pungsu 풍수 Keeping in Cosmic Harmony

R

Room Salon 룸살롱 Sex in a Glass

S

Sagwa 사과 The Role of the Apology

San Korea’s Sacred Mountains

Sayang 사양 Keeping a Low Profile

Segyehwa 세계화 Korean-Style Globalization

Seodo 서도 Writing as a Cultural Discipline

Seonbae/Hubae 선배/후배 Seniors and Juniors

Seong Sexual Mores

Seonmul 선물 Gift Giving as “Social Oil”

Seulpeum 슬픔 Sadness in Korean Culture

Shigan 시간 On Fast Time

Shilpae 실패 Avoiding Failure

Shinyong 신용 Operating on Trust

Shipiji 십이지 Living by the Numbers

Shisaem 시샘 The Jealousy Taboo

Silhak 실학 The Coming of Practical Learning

Sogae 소개 Limiting Introductions

Sogaejang 소개장 Letters of Introduction

Sokdam 속담 Wisdom in Proverbs

Sonnim 손님 Honorable Guests

Ssireum 씨름 Korean Wrestling

Sujupeum 수줍음 The Shyness Syndrome

T

Tae Kwon Do 태권도 Hand-and-Foot Combat

Taedo 태도 Manners as Morality

Tong Il 통일 The Great Reunification Dream

U

Uimu 의무 Duty and Morality

Uiri 의리 The Burden of Obligations

Uishik 의식 Contents of the Korean Mind

Ujeong 우정 Friendships in Korean Life

Unmyeong 운명 The Demise of Fate

Uri Nara Saram 우리나라사람 Our Country’s People

W

Wieom 위엄 Dignity Comes First

Wonmang 원망 The Grudge Syndrome

Y

Yangban 양반 The Mandarins of Korea

Yatpoda 앝보다 Underestimating Koreans

Yeobo/Yeoboseyo 여보/여보세요 Hey There, Darling, Hello!

Yeoja 여자 Korean Women

Yeoldeunguishik 열등의식 The Fading Inferiority Complex

Yeolshimhi Hapsida 열심히 합시다 Let’s Do Our Best!

Yeon/Yeonjul 연/연줄 Relationships and Connections

Yeongeo 영어 The Language Burden

Yeonse 연세 Venerating Age

Yeui Beomjeol 예의범절 Etiquette as Morality

Korean-English Glossary

Index