For these last two week of SDLAP 112 lecture, I met with my language partner Somyung and Joon over Zoom on Friday. We started off our lesson by talking about how our weeks were in Korean. This was in an effort to start practicing one of our goals for this semester which is to speak in only Korean to help retain the language and keep practicing our skills. We also started off last week by watching a few video clips from the show 슈퍼맨이 돌아왔다 which translates literally to “The Return of Superman” and is also known as “Superman is Back.” It was a nice way to start to watch a little bit of 예능, a korean variety show, and see Korean used in a normal setting talking about day-to-day life in a parent and child relationship and to be able to continue interpreting Korean so my skills could improve. Right after that, we also started reading articles in our lessons to improve our literacy skills and practice Korean comprehension. The articles I read about in Korean were surrounding “Show me the Money” korean hip hop show, one about the nation’s MC Yoo Jae Suk and his success, and another about Korea’s response in tightening restrictions as there has recently been another surge in COVID-19 cases in Korea.
This time around, we practiced speaking about Korean traditions that we have in mind as we have been getting closer to our first break of this semester so that we could practice our Korean language skills and vocabulary that is not as normally used. It was a time to reflect and kind of catch up which was nice especially during these last two hectic weeks. After the second week’s class, I also checked in at home by calling my mom and we held our whole conversation in Korean like I usually do with her. This was another very beneficial experience for me because it helped me further practice Korean language and the practice that was done in class really helped with my enunciation and making fluid conversation as well.
This week we also continued to watch the Korean drama 응답하라 1988 which translates to Reply 1988. It revolves around a family and friends who live in the same neighborhood of Ssangmun-dong, Dobong District, Northern Seoul. After watching this episode we were tasked with reflecting on the episode and writing a reflection on the episode so that we could talk about it next week, in addition to being able to practice hearing korean, and using Korean language skills to practice interpreting the Korean language/culture. I mentioned this drama on a call again with my mom and she was very enthusiastic about it because it was a pretty solid representation of her childhood and she was happy that I continued to learn more about how she grew up. We followed the life stories of all the main 8 characters in these episodes and got to experience the character dynamics as Taek loses a match, Deok Sun and Dong Il grieved for the loss of a loved in different ways, Deoksun practiced her dancing for the talent show, and Deok Sun declares that she wants to go to college.
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Reply 1988 is also my favorite Korean Drama! I really enjoyed watching it during the winter with my family. I have never watched 슈퍼맨이 돌아왔다 though. I will probably watch it during the winter break. Watching a drama/variety show is a really effective and interesting way to pick up a language. When I watch I Live Alone and Knowing Brothers, I improve my listening skills a lot. But, to be honest, it is kind of hard for me to understand Kang Ho-dong's accent.
I hadn’t realized that there was a surge in COVID cases Korea, that’s terrible to hear. I thought they were doing well after they controlled it the first time around. But that’s so cool that your mom related that strongly to the drama! Do you have a favorite variety show or Korean drama that you’ve enjoyed watching?
My favorite variety shows these days has been Knowing Brother or 아는 형님, it is a fun show and I have picked up a lot of slangs and new vocab from that show since it is more "hip" to Korean culture
I also really enjoyed watching the Korean Drama, Reply 1988. It brought back good memories of when I used to live in South Korea. And I also agree that it is nice catching up with people during these hectic times! Also, I talk to my mom in Korean over the phone as well to practice Korean.
That's so awesome, I am glad that you were able to enjoy the drama and catch up with family!