https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0
This is the link to the song Gangnam Style that came out a couple years ago and got really popular in the U.S. I thought it would be a good artifact to show my listening skills because this came out when I was in high school and didn't know any Korean. Now I can read the translation of the title (Gangnam Style / 강남스타일) and even though I can't understand the lyrics I now recognize that (Oppa / 오빠) which is sung a lot in the song is the word for older brother, but also used for male friends or boyfriends in Korea. Also he sings about a girl a lot and uses the word (Yeoja / 여자) which I now recognize as well.
Comments
This is a great post, Jessica! As you continue to study Korean, I think you'll gain new appreciations of other songs, poems, and artistic productions.
I remember when I first began to recognize random words in Kpop songs, it was very encouraging! In high school, I memorized the lyrics and full dance to Gangnam Style and I was the only student who could sing the actual words. Listening to Kpop is a great way to practice listening to the language and as you continue to study, you'll gradually hear more and more words or maybe even a phrase that you can understand. From time to time, I hear phrases that I don't understand the meaning of, but I've heard them so often that I can distinguish them. Keep it up! :)