#Korean blog

[koreaguides]

Side Dishes in Korea

Why do we get served so many each meal? 

1. Background Information 

One of the most appealing things about eating out in Korea is the unlimited free refill on the side dishes, known as banchan. 

This practice is deeply rooted in Korean history and character as a nation 

2. Kimchi 

There are hundreds of different types of kimchi, but the signature cabbage banchan is offered at pretty much every restaurant. 

Koreans have for generations been storing vegetables in pots to ferment so that they will have food available for the winter. 

3. Common Banchans 

Other than kimchi, there are bean sprouts, cucumber vegetables, and sesame leaves pickled in soy sauce. 

Some of the more luxurious Korean restaurant sever egg rolls, tteokbooki, and ganjang gejang. 

4. Banchans At Restaurant 

Eating at a Korean restaurant is always an exercise in how to maneuver all the dishes to actually fit on the table. 

It is not uncommon to receive 3 or more different banchan dishes alongside the main course that you order. 

5. Homemade Banchans 

During a kimchi-preparation event called kimjang, a large amout of kimchi is laid out for all members of the family work on. 

This practice is less common these days, but parents still like to prepare kimchi and distribute it to their children as a show of affection. 

6. Why Are Banchan Unlimited? 

One reason is that white rice was much more expensive than kimchi and banchan during difficult times in the Korean economy. 

It was too expensive for restaurants to give refills of rice, but in order to make sure you were full, they offered you a second helping of banchan. 

7. How Is Banchan Served? 

In order to reduce operating costs, some restaurants have suggested limiting or removing the unlimited banchan options, which many Korean people weren’t happy about. 

To meet in the middle, many Korean restaurants these days have adopted a self-service system in which you can eat as much as you like, but you have to approach the food station and fill your own bowls. 

[koreanstudygram]

-(으)ㄹ까 말까”, ” -(으)ㄹ수록”, ” -(으)면 -(으)ㄹ수록”

Let's break down each grammar pattern with examples:

1. -(으)ㄹ까 말까

This grammar has two meanings.

-(으)ㄹ까 말까 “shall I or shall I not, whether or not,”

The first meaning is hesitation such as “shall I or shall I not, whether or not.”

Usage: This pattern expresses uncertainty or indecision about an action or situation. It presents a dilemma or a decision-making process where the person is contemplating an action, often translated as "whether or not to…"

Example Sentences:

축구를 할까 말까 고민하고 있다. (I'm debating whether or not to play soccer.)

여행을 가볼까 말까 생각 중이에요. (I'm thinking about whether or not to go on a trip.)

그 결정을 할까 말까 망설이고 있어요. (He/she is hesitating about whether or not to make that decision.)

When it has this meaning, Korean people often use this grammar with some particular verbs expressing thoughts and concerns, such as

망설이다 “to hesitate” 고민하다 “to consider” 고민 중이다 “to be considering” 생각하다 “to think” 생각 중이다 “to be thinking”

The second meaning is to express “uncertainty about an amount or quantity if it reaches a certain line.”

When it has this meaning, Korean people use it in the form of -(으)ㄹ까 말까 하다, or in the form of nouns + (이)가 될까 말까 하다 “(it) is just enough or a bit short.”

About the usage of -(으)ㄹ까 말까, you mainly use it for verbs.

For a verb, which does not have a final consonant, you attach ㄹ까 말까 to the stem.

For example, 가다 “to go” does not have a final consonant, so you attach ㄹ까 말까 to make 갈까 말까 “shall I go or not.”

If a verb has a final consonant, you attach -을까 말까 to the stem.

For example, 먹다 “to eat” has a final consonant.

So, you attach 을까 말까 to the stem to make 먹을까 말까 “shall I eat or not.”

Example sentence for the first meaning “whether or not.”

이 옷을 살까 말까 망설이는 중이에요. I am thinking about whether I should buy these clothes or not.

Here, 사다 “to buy” does not have a final consonant.

So, you add -ㄹ까 말까 to make 살까 말까 “whether I should buy or not.”

You can see hesitation through this expression, 살까 말까.

Example sentence for the second meaning, “just enough or a bit short” to express an amount.

작년에 심은 나무가 내 키를 넘을까 말까 할 정도로 자랐다. The tree I planted last year has grown up to the height which just barely exceeds my height.

Here, 넘다 “to exceed” has a final consonant.

So, you add -을까 말까 to make 넘을까 말까 “barely exceeds.”

Then, let’s read a sample sentence in the form of a noun + 이/가 될까 말까 하다.

강의가 시작한 지 1시간이 될까 말까 해요. It has been just one hour or less since the lecture started.

Here, 1시간 means “one hour.” 1 시간 has a final consonant, so you add 이 될까 말까 하다 to make 1시간이 될까 말까 하다 “the time just barely reaches one hour.”

2. -(으)ㄹ수록

-(으)ㄹ수록 “as you do smth~”

Usage: This pattern indicates that as something happens or progresses, another situation intensifies or becomes more pronounced. It's used to describe a proportional relationship between two events or states. It's translated as "the more… the more…"

Example Sentences:

더 많이 연습할수록 실력이 더 좋아진다. (The more you practice, the better your skills become.)

시간이 지날수록 그 사건을 잊을 수 없었다. (The more time passed, the more unforgettable that incident became.)

더 많은 경험을 쌓을수록 자신감이 생길 거예요. (The more experience you gain, the more confidence you will have.)

You use this when you notice that one situation changes to some degree, then another situation also changes.

To apply this grammar for verbs and adjectives, you attach -ㄹ수록 to the stem.

If a verb or an adjective does not have a final consonant, you attach ㄹ수록.

For example, 가다 “to go” does not have a final consonant. So, you attach -ㄹ수록 to make 갈수록 “as (I) go.”

If a verb or an adjective has a final consonant, you attach 을수록.

For example, 먹다 “to eat” has a final consonant.

So, you attach -을수록 to make 먹을수록 “as (I) eat.”

For nouns, you attach -일수록 regardless of a final consonant.

Besides, if you attach -(으)ㄹ수록 to 가다 “to go” to make 갈수록, you can sometimes translate it to “as you go”, but Korean people often use it as the meaning of “gradually.”

There is an idiom, 갈수록 태산이다, and this means “Gradually, you will see bigger mountains.” which means “Something is getting worse and worse.”

그때 일은 생각할수록 분해. The more I think about it, the more I get angry.

Here, 생각하다 “to think” is a verb which does not have a final consonant.

So, you add -ㄹ수록 to make 생각할수록 “the more (I) think.”

날씨가 더울수록 건강에 각별히 주의하세요. As the weather gets hotter, please take good care of your condition.

Here, 덥다 “to be hot” is an adjective which has a final consonant.

So, you add -을수록. However, you apply ㅂ irregular rule for 덥다.

So, 으 changes to 우, and it becomes 더울수록 “as (it) gets hotter.”

Then let’s look at the next sentence.

친하고 가까운 사이일수록 서로 예의를 잘 지켜야 돼. As a relationship is more intimate and closer, you should be more courteous to each other.

Here, 사이 “relationship” is a noun. So, you add -일수록 to make 사이일수록 “as a relationship is more ~.”

Then, let’s read a sample sentence of 갈수록 which you translate it as “gradually.”

회원 수가 처음에는 열 명뿐이었는데 갈수록 늘어나고 있어요. The number of members was only ten at first, but it gradually went up.

Here, if you translate 갈수록 into “as you go” the meaning of the sentence becomes “the number of members went up as you go”, and it sounds weird.

In these cases, 갈수록 means “gradually” or “more and more.”

3. -(으)면 -(으)ㄹ수록

-(으)면 -(으)ㄹ수록 “the more ~, the more ~.”

Usage: This pattern is an extension of -(으)ㄹ수록 and adds a conditional clause using -(으)면 (if) to indicate that as a particular condition is met or event occurs, another related outcome intensifies or changes correspondingly. It means "the more… (if/when) …, the more…"

Example Sentences:

더 열심히 공부하면 공부할수록 성적이 오를 거예요. (The more you study harder, the better your grades will get.)

날씨가 추워지면 추워질수록 집에서 더 오래 있게 되죠. (If the weather gets colder, you end up staying home longer.)

팀원들과 더 잘 협력하면 협력할수록 프로젝트가 더 잘 진행될 거예요. (The more you cooperate well with your team members, the smoother the project will progress.)

When you use the same verb or adjective repeatedly, you can express a gradual change such as “the more ~, the more ~.”

To apply this grammar for verbs and adjectives, you attach -(으)면 -(으)ㄹ수록 to the stem.

If a verb or an adjective does not have a final consonant, you attach -면 -ㄹ수록.

For example, 가다 “to go” does not have a final consonant.

So, you attach -면 -ㄹ수록 to the stem to make 가면 갈수록 “the more (I) go, the more~.”

If a verb or an adjective has a final consonant, you attach -으면 -을수록.

For example, 먹다 “to eat” has a final consonant.

So, you attach -으면 -을수록 to the stem to make 먹으면 먹을수록 “the more (I) eat, the more~.”

For nouns, you attach (이)면 일수록.

Example sentence:

이 영화는 보면 볼수록 빠져들어요. About this movie, the more you watch it, the more you will be into it.

보다 “to watch” does not have a final consonant.

So, you add -면 -ㄹ수록 to make 보면 볼수록 “the more you watch it, the more ~.”

빠져들다 “to be into smth” is a useful word in this case.

이 꽃은 기온이 높으면 높을수록 빨리 자란대. They say this flower grows faster as the temperature is higher.

Here, 높다 “to be high” has a final consonant.

So, you add -으면 -을수록 to make 높으면 높을수록 “the higher ~, the more ~.”

Explanation:

-(으)ㄹ까 말까: This pattern emphasizes indecision or uncertainty about whether to proceed with a particular action.

-(으)ㄹ수록: Indicates that as one situation progresses, another situation intensifies or changes accordingly.

-(으)면 -(으)ㄹ수록: Builds on -(으)ㄹ수록 by adding a conditional clause (-(으)면) to describe a scenario where the intensity or frequency increases depending on a certain condition being met.

These patterns are useful for expressing varying degrees of change or uncertainty in Korean sentences.

Grammar explanations and sentences from web page link below

[rsumaiya]

Let's check out some best Korean traditional food

Kimchi: The Heart and Soul of Korean Cuisine

It would be impossible to discuss Korean cuisine without discussing kimchi. This traditional Korean food has a history extending back more than 2,000 years to the Shilla Dynasty. People usually use cabbage or radishes for kimchi. All the ingredients are usually seasoned with salt, chili pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, and other herbs and spices. The end result is a dish that Koreans adore with every meal because it is sour, hot, and pungent. Due to its probiotic nature, kimchi is not only delicious but also has several health advantages.

Korean Fried Chicken: The Crispy Delight of Traditional Korean Food

Korean fried chicken recreates the classic American fast food in its own special way. Unlike its American equivalents, double-fry the chicken in vegetable oil before covering it in a sweet-spicy sauce. As a result, the inside of the meat is extremely moist. And the lightly battered skin is crispy and low in fat. Korean Fried Chicken is a famous late-night treat with beer.

Tteokbokki- Red Rice Cakes

Tteokbokki is a beloved traditional Korean food that has become a popular street food dish across the country. It features chewy rice cakes, known as tteok, cooked in a spicy sauce, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal. Tteokbokki is known for its unique combination of heat, sweetness, and umami flavors.

[madeinkorea-blbambeyond]

MADE IN KOREA

PARK SEO HAM

PARK JAE CHAN

[coldcasescenario]

looking for more blogs to follow, if u post any of the following like/interact w this post!! if u post similar stuff to me i’ll folllow back (from my main, @heroescomehome)

-thinspo

-plant based diets

-kpop

-fashion

-music

-language learning (mainly korean, french, portuguese, japanese but honestly anything!!)

-memes

-ed (mostly ana)

[belovedapollo]

diving into Han Kang, who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 2024 📖 reblog is ok, don’t repost/use

[sweetbunnytears]

cr: misstada

[thelailasblog]

[foodshowxyz]

Kimchi Jeon (Savory Kimchi Pancakes)

Yields: 4 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 10-15 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup well-fermented kimchi, roughly chopped

1/4 cup kimchi juice

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup potato or corn starch

1/2 cup cold water

1 large egg, lightly beaten

3-4 scallions, thinly sliced

1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil or neutral-flavored cooking oil

Optional additions:

1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) for extra spice

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

Other vegetables: thin strips of carrot, onion slices

Dipping sauce ingredients:

Soy sauce

Rice vinegar

A pinch of sugar

Toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions:

Make the batter: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, potato/corn starch, kimchi, kimchi juice, egg, water, and scallions. (Include any optional ingredients you'd like). Mix until a slightly thick batter forms.

Heat the pan: Heat a large skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat. Add a thin layer of oil to the pan.

Cook the pancakes: Pour about 1/2 cup of batter into the hot pan, spreading it into a thin, even circle. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.

Repeat: Repeat the cooking process with the remaining batter, adding more oil as needed.

Make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar. Add sesame seeds if desired.

Serve: Slice the pancakes into wedges and serve immediately with the dipping sauce.

Tips:

Well-fermented kimchi: Using older, well-fermented kimchi provides the best flavor and acidity.

Consistency check: The batter should be the consistency of a slightly thick pancake batter. If it's too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water. If it's too thin, add a bit more flour.

Don't overcrowd the pan: Cook one or two pancakes at a time to achieve the best crispiness and an even cook.

Experiment: Feel free to add seafood, thinly sliced pork, or other vegetables to your pancakes.

[bl-bam-beyond]

THE TIME OF FEVER (2024, SOUTH KOREA)

Post 2 of 2

The kiss between "brothers" Hotae (WON TAE MIN) continues until DongHee (DO WOO) suddenly horrified (or so it seems) stops...and leaves Hotae feeling feelings.

@pose4photoml @just-another-boyslove-blog

[koreaguides]

K-Dramas Based on True Stories

1. Fight for My Way 

This rom-com drama stars Park Seo Jun and Kim Ji Won. It is loosely based on the life of a real mixed martial artists Choo Sung Hoon and his wife Yano Shiho. The writer of the series had once mentioned in an interview that he saw Shiho crying while watching her husband in a match. 

2. Move to Heaven 

This drama was inspired by the non-fiction essay “Things Left Behind” by Kim Sae Byul. He had mentioned before in an interview that he cleaned the house of a man in his 70s who died alone and was only found many weeks later. It was in the form of different and was only found many weeks later. It was in the form of different characters but an exact setting was featured in one of the episode. 

3. Signal 

The top-rating K-Drama Signal stars Lee Je Hoon and Kim Hye Soo. The crimes shown in the series were derived from real cases in South Korea. This includes the Park Chorong Bitnari kidnapping case and also the Hwaseong serial murders that took place in Gyeonggi province. 

4. Reply 1988 

The series of K-Drama was loved by many viewers. One of the characters from the story was inspired by a real person. Taek played by Park Bo Gum was actually inspired by a real-life Baduk player, Lee Chang Ho which won lots of local and international Baduk tournaments. 

5. Crash Landing on You 

The writer of this drama revealed that her inspiration came from South Korean actress Jung Yang’s real-life even where the actress and her friends rose a leisure ferry boat and sail across Incheon’s shores but was swept away to the Northern Limit Line due to bad weather. The writer then proceeded to write a similar story.

[felic2q]

everything is gonna be fine

[sikfankitchen]

Mandu (Korean Dumplings) filled with Pork, Garlic Chives & Glass Noodles. 🥟

[madeinkorea-blbambeyond]

MADE IN KOREA

PARK JAE CHAN

PARK SEO HAM

[floor3a]

Day 1/100 of productivity

November 14th, 2024

Re-learning Korean again after 5 years... Staring from the basic.

p.s. also if you are studying Korean please like/reblog this so I can follow you guys :D