Journal Entry 3
This semester, another key strategy I used to improve both language and cultural understanding was watching Korean content, specifically dramas, variety shows, and culinary competitions. One show that stood out was Culinary Class Wars (흑백요리사), which I watched with Jason during one of our meetings. This show became more than just entertainment. It was also a resource that gave me insights into modern Korean vocabulary, honorific speech levels, slang, and cultural values surrounding food, hierarchy, and respect.My goal was to improve my cultural fluency being able to understand how and why people speak the way they do in real-life Korean contexts. I hoped that watching Korean shows would help me internalize patterns in speech, such as sentence endings, casual vs. formal registers, and culturally embedded expressions. At the same time, I wanted to expand my vocabulary in areas I wouldn’t typically encounter in a classroom, like cooking, competition commentary, or interpersonal banter. Jason and I used these shows as a jumping-off point for conversation. After each episode, we’d talk about moments that stood out; how the judges used polite forms like “-세요” when addressing contestants, or how the hosts used humor and casual banter. We also paid attention to nonverbal cultural cues like bowing, sharing food, and the way dishes were presented. Sometimes I’d ask Jason questions like “Why did he use that honorific form?” or “Is this kind of humor common in Korean media?” These discussions helped me contextualize language in real-life situations. One of the most fun (and helpful) activities was writing down food-related vocabulary. I learned words like 볶다 (to stir-fry), 지짐이 (a regional term for Korean pancakes), and 간장 (soy sauce). Learning vocabulary in context helped me remember it better than just memorizing a word list. I even started a “K-content vocab journal” to track these new words and expressions. It’s something I plan to keep using beyond this course. In terms of effectiveness, I was surprised by how much passive input from TV could turn into active conversation practice. By watching the shows with Jason and discussing them afterward, I was able to use new vocabulary in context and get feedback on my pronunciation and usage. We also talked about the broader cultural elements. For instance, how food is tied to identity in Korea, how regional pride shows up in dishes, and even how Western influence is shaping Korean cuisine today.To build on this learning, I’ll keep watching Korean content, but I plan to be more intentional. I’ll take notes, pause to repeat lines, and perhaps even subtitle short clips myself. I also want to explore other genres like documentaries or interviews to expose myself to different registers of Korean speech.
This semester, another key strategy I used to improve both language and cultural understanding was watching Korean content, specifically dramas, variety shows, and culinary competitions. One show that stood out was Culinary Class Wars (흑백요리사), which I watched with Jason during one of our meetings. This show became more than just entertainment. It was also a resource that gave me insights into modern Korean vocabulary, honorific speech levels, slang, and cultural values surrounding food, hierarchy, and respect.My goal was to improve my cultural fluency being able to understand how and why people speak the way they do in real-life Korean contexts. I hoped that watching Korean shows would help me internalize patterns in speech, such as sentence endings, casual vs. formal registers, and culturally embedded expressions. At the same time, I wanted to expand my vocabulary in areas I wouldn’t typically encounter in a classroom, like cooking, competition commentary, or interpersonal banter. Jason and I used these shows as a jumping-off point for conversation. After each episode, we’d talk about moments that stood out; how the judges used polite forms like “-세요” when addressing contestants, or how the hosts used humor and casual banter. We also paid attention to nonverbal cultural cues like bowing, sharing food, and the way dishes were presented. Sometimes I’d ask Jason questions like “Why did he use that honorific form?” or “Is this kind of humor common in Korean media?” These discussions helped me contextualize language in real-life situations. One of the most fun (and helpful) activities was writing down food-related vocabulary. I learned words like 볶다 (to stir-fry), 지짐이 (a regional term for Korean pancakes), and 간장 (soy sauce). Learning vocabulary in context helped me remember it better than just memorizing a word list. I even started a “K-content vocab journal” to track these new words and expressions. It’s something I plan to keep using beyond this course. In terms of effectiveness, I was surprised by how much passive input from TV could turn into active conversation practice. By watching the shows with Jason and discussing them afterward, I was able to use new vocabulary in context and get feedback on my pronunciation and usage. We also talked about the broader cultural elements. For instance, how food is tied to identity in Korea, how regional pride shows up in dishes, and even how Western influence is shaping Korean cuisine today.To build on this learning, I’ll keep watching Korean content, but I plan to be more intentional. I’ll take notes, pause to repeat lines, and perhaps even subtitle short clips myself. I also want to explore other genres like documentaries or interviews to expose myself to different registers of Korean speech.
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