Before Kpop there was Pansori

In KWOW episode 107, we learned about the music scene in Korea that existed before Kpop: pansori. To say pansori is the Korean version of opera is not completely accurate. It's the traditional storytelling told in musical form, performed by one singer and one drummer.

Listen to some pansori performances with subtitles in many languages:

What’s the difference between pansori and Western music? How different do pansori singers’ vocal cords look compared to Kpop singers? How are people modernizing pansori these days?

Pansori Masters' Battle!

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18 Epic Fail Konglish

On KWOW episode 85, we talked about why it's important to know your Konglish (Korean + English). It'll save you from tragic yet hilarious misunderstandings!

Here's some epic fail Konglish seen in the world of Korea.

Which smoody would you like to order? (photo by lets.book)

Buy a car and get dinged by the bills. (photo by v15ben)

New adjective! Creative translation. 빵 actually means "bread." (photo by just_a_cheeseburger)

30 years experties of seasoned raw crap. Yes. Just what I came to Korea for! What they really mean to say: 30 years experience of seasoning raw CRAB. (photo by Paul Matthews)

Here we go again with the most infamous Konglish word! (photo by dj_saunter)

Where's the nearest totlet? Can't wait to see the Konglish in the bathroom stalls! (photo by Hovs)

Just the comedy relief one needs after a long day of looking for totlets. (photo by acleman)

Gacina, survire, suality, clistingais... New words of fashion? How avant-garde. The dictionary has major catching up to do! (photo by Stacy Martin)

The R sound doesn't exist in the Korean language. Thus why Koreans replace it with L. (photo by Candice Lee)

While cock does mean rooster, "stir-fried chicken" may have had a more accurate depiction. They get the last laugh; got your attention and now you're having dinner there! (photo by Brent Poole)

Yogurt in Korea be so gangsta. (photo by Timothy Friesen)

S'more gangsta Konglish. (photo by Steve Mohundro)

Ill fates after staying at Qookmotel. All of a sudden Hanjin Hostel starts to sound more friendly... (photo by ketuzin)

FYI: Black refers to the jjajangmyeon. (photo by Young Yun)

And white refers to... refined carbs? (photo by Shannon Aston)

The correct translation would've been: It's black like a demon, hot as hell, beautiful like an angel and sweet as love. But perfect English doesn't always guarantee a good laugh :) (photo by Laura Maria)

Dennis Rodman seems to be quite popular amongst the Koreans. (photo by Meg D.)

There's a ton more epic fail Konglish, but this post gotta end someday. Last sign just for you!

(photo by Marisa Burton)

See you next KWOW Wednesday! Until then, have yourselves a delicious love week :) Try not to smoke too many cigalettes, but do drink many veggie smoody!

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Do Koreans celebrate Christmas?

Happy holidays! Many of our viewers were curious about how Koreans celebrate Christmas or if they even celebrate it at all. The answer lies in KWOW episode 70:

Professor Oh and friends had a conversation in Korean regarding their trip to the North Pole. When watching a video in a foreign language, there’s only time to read the subtitle. Here is the conversation written text for you to study at your own personal pace :)

BILLY JIN:
와~! 드디어 집에 왔다!
Wah~! Deudiyeoh jibeh watdah!
Yay~! We’re finally back home.

PROFESSOR OH: 빌리, 내 소중한 친구야!
Beel-lee, nae sojoonghan chingooya!
Billy, my precious friend!

보고싶었어.
Bogoshipuhssuh.
I missed you!

여행은 어땠어?
Yeohaengeun uhddaessuh?
How was your trip?

어서 다 말해줘.
Uhsuh da malhaejwo.
Tell me everything.

BILLY JIN:
북극은 진짜 추워.
Bookgookeun jinjja chuwuh.
The North Pole is really cold.

그리고 노래방이 하나도 없었어.
Geurigo noraebangi hanado upsussuh.
And there were no *noraebangs.

*Noraebang = karaoke.

TAEKWON DO:
하지만 고기 집이 딱 한개 있더라고.
Hajiman gogi jeepi ddak hangae eetduhrago.
However there was just one barbeque restaurant.

산타 할아버지랑 갈비를 맛있게 먹었어.
Santa harabuhjirang galbireul massheetgeh mugussuh.
I deliciously enjoyed Korean BBQ with Santa Claus.

배가 너무 불러서 움직이질 못해서 스타크래프트를 했지.
Baega nuhmu boolluhsuh oomjigijil mothaesuh seutakeuraepeuteureul haetji.
We were so full we couldn’t move, so we played Starcraft.

산타 할아버지가 나보다 더 잘하시더라.
Santa harabuhjiga naboda duh jalhashidurah.
Santa Claus is better at it than me.

나보다 더 한국사람 같으셔!
Naboda duh hangooksaram gateushyeo!
He seems more Korean than me!

GRANNY BONGJA:
난 산타 할머니랑 친한 친구가 됐어.
Nan Santa halmonirang chinhan chingooga dwaessuh.
Grandma Claus and I became close friends.

나만큼은 아니지만 머리에 볼륨이 꽤 있으시더라고.
Namankeumeun anijiman muhriae bollyoomee ggwae isseushiduhrago.
Though not as much as me, her hair has quite a lot of volume.

근데 나보단 쿠키는 잘 굽더라… Geundeh nabodan kookineun jal goopduhra. She bakes better cookies than me though…

GRANNY KIM:
난 미스터 그린씨를 절대로 잊지 못 할거야.
Nan meseutuh geureensshireul jeoldaro eetji mot halguhya.
I will never forget Mr. Green.

그 요정 양반이 파티를 좀 할줄 알더라.
Geu yojung yangbanee pahteereul jom halkool ahlduhra.
That elf knows how to party.

미스터 그린씨를 내 크리스마스 선물로 달라고 산타 할아버지 한테 부탁했지롱!
Meseutuh geureensshireul nae keureeseumaseu sunmoollo dallago santa harabuhji hanteh bootakhaessjirong!
I asked Santa Claus to get me Mr. Green for Christmas!

PROFESSOR OH:
모두들 즐거운 시간 보내셨군요.
Modoodeul jeulguhoon shigan bonaeshyeotgoonyo.
Sounds like you all had good time!

다음엔 제가 꼭 따라가겠어요.
Daeumehn jega ggok ddaragagessuhyo.
Next time I’m going with you for sure.

BILLY JIN: 선물 갖고 왔어. 열어봐.
Sunmool gatgo wassuh. Yeoluhbwa.
I brought you a present. Open it.

너가 좋아할 것 같아. 싫으면 나한테 줘.
Nuhga joahal gut gata. Shireumyun nahanteh jwo.
I think you will like it. If you don’t like it, then give it to me.

PROFESSOR OH:
와~ 참 귀엽다! 산타 할아버지 모자네.
Wah~ Cham gwiyeopda! Santa harabuhji mojaneh.
Wow~ It’s very cute! It’s a Santa Claus hat.

고마워, 빌리. 어때? 나한테 잘 어울려?
Gomawo, Billy. Uhddae? Nahanteh jal uhoollyu?
Thanks, Billy! What do you think? Does it suit well with me?

BILLY JIN:
응, 아주 아주 잘 어울려!
Eung, aju aju jal uhoollyu.
Yes, it suits very, very well on you.

입을 때 마다 내 생각해!
Eebeul ddae mada nae saenggakhae!
Think of me when you wear it.

Hope you enjoyed this latest episode of KWOW. Stay cozy and spend lots of quality time with family and friends this winter! 메리 크리스마스! Merry Christmas! See you in two weeks :)

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