Jjim Jil Bang-Korean Souna 찜질방 한국 사우나

Picture from My lovely Sam Soon
Watch My lovely Sam Soon
(내 이름은 김삼순)

A typical jim jil bang consists of various sauna rooms, some dry and some full of steam, ranging in temperatures from room temperature to 90 degrees. There is almost always a "cold" room as well, where customers can recover from a rapid increase in body temperature. The saunas scratch only the surface of what the typical jim jil bang has to offer. There are often computer rooms, sleeping rooms, game rooms, movie rooms, a restaurant and snack bar, "nora bang" or singing rooms, massage rooms and massage chairs. Bookworms can also check out the latest comic books. While some customers visit the jim jil bang strictly for medical reasons, many people look at a visit as a chance to get out of the house, chat with friends, watch a movie and eat a meal. Some adventurous souls are known to spend the entire night relaxing at the jim jil bang. Most jim jil bangs are open 24 hours a day and cost only 5,000 or 6,000 won from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and slightly more during the evening. There is no time limit for a customer's stay. more stories

교실 용어 (敎室用語)

1. 선생님(을) 보세요. Please look at the teacher.
2. 말하세요. Please speak.
3. 크게 말하세요. Please speak loudly.
4. 들으세요. Please listen.
5. 읽으세요. Please read.
6. 쓰세요. Please write.
7. 알아요? Do you know?
8. 몰라요. I don’t know.
9. 알겠어요? Do you understand?
10. 질문(이) 있어요? Do you have a question?
11. 대답하세요. Please answer.
12. 책(을) 덮으세요. Please close your book.
13. 숙제하세요. Please do your homework.
14. 연습하세요. Please practice.
15. 외우세요. Please memorize.
16. 다시 하세요. Please do it again.
17. 잘 했어요! You did good job!
18. 좋아요. It is good.
19. 안 좋아요. It is not good.
20. 맞아요. It is correct.
21. 말하기 Speaking
22. 듣기 Listening
23. 쓰기 Writing
24. 읽기 Reading
25. 예. Yes.
26. 아니요. No.
27. 1과 (課) Chapter 1
28. 1급 (級) Level 1
29. 선생님 Teacher
30. 학생 Student

from Basic Conversational Korean Textbook.

Korean must save face: 체면 (Chae Myeon)

사진: 양반탈 (Picture: Hahoetal)
Most Koreans are concerned about what others think of them that’s why they try to dress up , look good to keep up with the Jones’. We call this 체면(Chae Myeon). (한국사람한테 체면이 아주 중요해요). Chae Myeon mens “to save face". It can be translated as "maintain dignity in the presence of others.
It might sound a little strange or overly self conscious but it’s a part of Korean culture. Some people even get loans to buy fancy cars or the latest cell phons so as to show that they are not less than their peers. In Down town Korea, we often see many well dressed women who look like cook wherever shoe goes. As you can see, Korean culture is probably some what different from all over the world, there are cultural differences from historical and social, so consider theym carefully with an open mind. When you begin to accept and understand the differences between the Korean culture and that of your own, you will meet a whole new world the warm-hearted Korean people. Source

I am embarrased by Koreans!

Picture from

Koreans are asking so many personal questions!!

Yes, I understand this. Ha ha, It is natural to some Westerners to say hi to strangers with a smile. Some Korean people may misunderstand that you like them. You are saying "Hi~" to them whenever you see them and they think that you are interested in them. Then they may start to ask some questions to get to know you better. Many Koreans are really thoughtful and caring people so if they get to know someone, they want to become closer by asking about the person's personal life. For instance, you may have questions such as "How old are you?", "Do you have a religion?", or "Do you have a boy or a girl friend?". Do not be embarrassed! Koreans regards asking these kinds of questions as a way of getting to know you more closely and being a friend. Especially Koreans care so much about a person's age. Korea maintains the strong hierarchical relationship between the olds and youngs. If Koreans know that you are older than them, they will treat you in a more respectful way. Therefore, the question "how old are you?" originates from cultural and historical reasons. Source

Koreans eat from the same dish!

Koreans eat all together from the same dish!

It may be really shocking and strange for you to discover that Koreans share their food from and eat out of the same dish without using serving spoons or individual plates. It is a Korean custom to share their food in this matter. For the Koreans, having a meal together is not merly eathing but also a sharing of the mind and a chance to get closer to one another. If you feel uncomfortable eathing out of the samedish, you can ask the host to give your individual plate before hand the start of the meal. They will be delighted to do that. Nowdays, the wester style eathing culture has caught on in Korea. So Korans understand that eating out of the same dish can be unacceptable to Wester Culture and even some Koreans! So, do not hesitate to say” Mai I have my own palte?” (개인 접시 좀 주시겠어요?) before the start of the meal. However if you have an advaenturous sprit, you are always welcomed to try meal together the Korean way, be close to them and experience a new culture. 출처

김치찌개는 조금 맵지만 아주 맛있어요. (Kim Chi Jji gae is a bit spicy but it is delicious)

Culture Shock in Korea : A toilet paper on the table

1. A toilet paper on the table?

You might be shocked see toilet rolls in the living room or even on the dining table. You might be more shocked when your Korean friends suggest that you could use the toilet paper or to wipe your mouth or face. In Korea, toilet paper is used everywhere in homes, offices and classrooms. Please don't think it is dirty or unhygienic, after all the paper comes form the same factory as he tissue boxes and it’s just matter of presentation. This toilet roll has never been in the bathroom before. Each culture has different ideas about what is acceptable or not acceptable. So don't prejudge that this practice is unhygienic but rather, try to understand the thinking behind this social practice with an open mind. Source

티슈: Tissue, 물 티슈: Wet Tissue, 화장지: Toilet paper or bathroom paper, 휴지: Waste paper

Korean Greetings

Picture from left: Casual Greeting, Common Greeting, Formal Greeting

한국 인사말

1. 안녕하세요?
2. 안녕히 가세요. Good bye.
3. 안녕히 계세요. Good bye.
4. 드세요. Please try. (this food)
5. 잘 먹겠습니다. Thank you for the food. (Before the food)
6. 잘 먹었습니다. Thank you for the food. (After the food)
7. 천만에요. You are welcome.
8. 안녕히 주무세요. Good night. (Respective form)
9. 감사합니다. Thank you.
10. 고맙습니다. Thank you.
11. 축하합니다. Congratulations.
12. 미안해요. I am sorry.
13. 또 만나요. See you again.
14. 실례합니다. Excuse me.
15. 만나서 반갑습니다. Nice to meet you.

Cultural Note: Korean Greetings

There are many greetings in Korea. When you greet someone, it is polite to bow your head down. However, you may have to give a bigger bow when you greet your elders. There are two ways of saying “goodbye” in Korean. 안녕히 가세요 is said to the person who is leaving. On the other hand, 안녕히 계세요 is said to the person who is staying or not leaving, to the host.


from page 10, Basic Conversational Korean Textbook