Seoul becomes citywide stage for BTS comeback

진행자: 최정윤, Tannith Kriel

기사 요약: 21일 광화문에서 열릴 예정된 BTS 컴백 무대를 앞두고 서울 전역에서 호텔과 주요 관광지, 상점들이 손님 맞이 준비에 나서고 있다.

[1] As K-pop supergroup BTS prepares for its long-awaited comeback, Seoul is turning purple as hotels, landmarks and shops gear up for the group’s return.

long-awaited: 오래 기다리던, 고대했던

gear up: 채비하다

[2] Across the capital, businesses are rolling out themed experiences tied to “BTS The City Arirang Seoul,” a citywide initiative developed with the group's entertainment company Hybe that invites fans to experience the comeback beyond the concert venue.

roll out: 출시하다, 내놓다

initiative: (특정한 문제 해결·목적 달성을 위한 새로운) 계획

[3] Public institutions and city landmarks are also joining the celebration, turning large parts of Seoul into a temporary cultural playground, from Friday through April 12.

turn A into B: A를 B로 바꾸다

temporary: 일시적인, 임시의

[4] Several landmark events are scheduled for the album’s release day, Friday. Media facade displays will illuminate historic sites such as N Seoul Tower and Sungnyemun, one of Seoul's historic Four Great Gates, starting at 7 p.m. Later in the evening, a 15-minute drone light show will light up the skies above Ttukseom Hangang Park beginning at 8:30 p.m.

facade: (파사드) 건물의 정면, 표면

illuminate: 불을 비추다, 밝히다

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10694511

진행자: 간형우, Devin Whiting

The women behind Korea’s fight for equality

기사 요약: 한국 사회에서 성평등을 위해 활동해 온 여성 활동가·변호사·운동가들의 역할과 노력

[1] Alongside South Korea’s rapid modernization, women's lives have been profoundly transformed.

rapid: 빠른

modernization: 현대화

profoundly: 깊이, 완전히

[2] Korean women continue to face structural barriers, including one of the widest gender pay gaps among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and persistent gender-based violence.

structural: 구조적인

persistent: 끈질긴

[3] The push for equality has also fueled intense debates over feminism and gender relations in Korean society.

fuel: 부채질하다

intense: 치열한, 극심한

[4] Yet there have been major gains in education, employment and political participation. Across literature, law, politics and social movements, generations of women have challenged entrenched norms and risked their livelihoods to expand the boundaries of opportunity.

gain: 개선, 증가

entrenched: 견고한, 확립된

norms: 규범

boundary: 경계

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10687862

진행자: 간형우, Devin Whiting

Revenge for hire spreads via Telegram

기사 요약: 텔레그램을 통해 돈을 받고 타인의 집을 훼손하는 등 ‘보복 대행’ 범죄가 잇따라 발생하자 경찰이 관련 수사를 확대하고 있다.

[1] Concerns are growing over a recent string of so-called “revenge for hire” crimes, most of which involve the vandalism of apartment doors.

string: 끈, 일련

vandalism: 기물 파손 행위

[2] A man in his 20s was recently taken into custody on suspicion of property damage after smearing waste and paint on a stranger’s apartment door for money, news reports said Monday.

custody: 유치, 양육권

suspicion: 혐의, 의심

smear: 마구 바르다

[3] The incident occurred at around 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 at an apartment building in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, where the suspect allegedly spread food waste and sprayed red lacquer paint on the front door of a unit on the 15th floor, according to the Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station.

allegedly: 추정되는

lacquer: 광택제, 래커

[4] He also scattered dozens of leaflets defaming the resident and even left human excrement at the scene. He was apprehended on Feb. 26, with the court issuing a formal arrest warrant that day.

scatter: 뿌리다

defame: 헐뜯다

excrement: 배설물

apprehend: 체포하다

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10685031

진행자: 박준희, Chelsea Proctor

'Woman as 1st customer is bad luck': Jeju restaurant sparks sexism complaints

기사 요약: 제주도의 한 식당이 “첫 손님이 여성이면 재수 없다”는 이유로 여성 고객에게 차별적으로 응대했다는 주장이 제기돼 공분을 사고 있다.

[1] A controversy has been brewing over an alleged sexual discrimination of a popular beef soup joint on Jeju Island, where the owner was accused of making disparaging comments about female customers.

controversy: 논란

brew: (차·맥주 등을) 끓이다, 우려내다. (논란 등이) 점점 커지다.

discrimination: 차별

disparage: 폄하하다, 깔보다, 헐뜯다

[2] Those who visited the restaurant, which specializes in gomtang, a Korean-style soup made by boiling beef bones and intestines, said the elderly woman who owned the place discriminated against women. One person said she was forced to wait outside for an hour because the owner insisted it was bad luck for the first customer to be a woman.

specialize in: (~을) 전공하다; 전문적으로 다루다

elderly: 연세가 드신

be forced to: ~를 하도록 강요받다.

insist: 우기다; 주장하다

[3] Another woman said the elderly owner scolded her for applying her makeup after the meal, while another person said the owner claimed they were out of ingredients, but served the male customers who arrived after her.

scold: 야단치다; 꾸짖다

meal: 식사; 한 끼

claim: (~이 사실이라고) 주장하다

ingredient: 재료; (~을 이루는 데 중요한) 구성 요소

[4] The restaurant in question is currently being run by the owner's son and his wife, who are said to be kind to all consumers. Recent visitors of the joint said the owner, who occasionally makes an appearance, is kinder to women than in the past, but only asks men if they are enjoying their meal.

in question: 문제의; 논의가 되고 있는

consumer: 소비자

occasionally: 가끔; 때때로

make an appearance: 얼굴을 비추다

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10683774

[코리아헤럴드 팟캐스트 구독]

아이튠즈(아이폰):https://itunes.apple.com/kr/podcast/koliaheleoldeu-paskaeseuteu/id686406253?mt=2

네이버 오디오 클립(아이폰, 안드로이드 겸용): https://audioclip.naver.com/channels/5404

팟빵 (안드로이드): http://www.podbbang.com/ch/6638

진행자: 박준희, Chelsea Proctor

How 'The Art of Sarah' recalls real-life luxury fraud even 'Squid Game' Lee Jung-jae fell for

기사 요약: 넷플릭스 시리즈 “레이디 두아”의 흥행을 계기로 2006년 한국 사회를 뒤흔들었던 이른바 ‘빈센트앤코’ 가짜 명품 사건이 재조명되고 있다.

[1] As the show's buzz builds, it has reignited interest in an infamous, real-life fraud case from Korea a decade ago that bears striking similarities to its central premise: counterfeit luxury goods falsely marketed as elite, European-made products, which reaped astronomical profits.

buzz: 화제성; 입소문

fraud: 사기; 가짜

counterfeit: 위조의, 모조의

astronomical: 천문학적인; 어마어마한

[2] "The Art of Sarah" centers on Sarah Kim (Shin Hye-sun), a master con artist who operates under a series of aliases while building her handbag label, Boudoir, into what appears to be the pinnacle of the luxury world.

center on: ~에 초점을 맞추다

con artist: 사기꾼

alias: 가명

pinnacle: 정점

[3] Although the series states that its characters and events are fictional, its storyline inevitably recalls the notorious real-life scandal from mid-2000s Korea, pushing it back into the public discourse alongside the show’s rising success.

fictional: 허구적인

inevitably: 필연적으로, 불가피하게

notorious: 악명 높은

public discourse: 공개 담론

[4] Known as the "Vincent & Co." case, the 2006 incident involved a watch brand that seemingly emerged overnight, claiming a century-long Swiss heritage and an elite clientele that allegedly included members of the British royal family.

heritage: 유산

elite: 엘리트; 사회 각 분야에서 결정적 영향력을 가진 소수 집단

clientele: (어떤 기관·상점 등의) 모든 의뢰인들; 고객들

royal family: 왕족

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10682151

[코리아헤럴드 팟캐스트 구독]

아이튠즈(아이폰):https://itunes.apple.com/kr/podcast/koliaheleoldeu-paskaeseuteu/id686406253?mt=2

네이버 오디오 클립(아이폰, 안드로이드 겸용): https://audioclip.naver.com/channels/5404

팟빵 (안드로이드): http://www.podbbang.com/ch/6638

진행자: 홍유, Chelsea Proctor

BTS' big comeback show puts some wedding plans on edge

기사요약: 3월 광화문광장에서 열릴 BTS 무료 컴백 공연에 최대 26만 명이 몰릴 것으로 예상되면서, 당일 인근에서 결혼식을 앞둔 예비부부들의 볼멘소리가 커지고 있다.

[1] Fans around the world are counting down to March 21, when K-pop supergroup BTS is set to take over Gwanghwamun Square for its long-awaited comeback show.

For some couples planning to marry in central Seoul that same day, however, the global event is a source of anxiety. With little over a month left, some said they even considered significant changes to their wedding plans, including moving the date or venue.

anxiety: 불안, 걱정, 근심

significant: 중대한, 상당한, 중요한

[2] Song, who is scheduled to hold her ceremony at a wedding hall near Seodaemun Station — just one subway stop from Gwanghwamun Square — said Wednesday that she recently considered doing exactly that.

“Traffic around Gwanghwamun is always chaotic on weekends due to rallies. I already felt bad about that. And now there’s a BTS concert? I honestly don’t know why this has to happen on my wedding day,” she told The Korea Herald.

chaotic: 혼란스러운, 무질서한

due to: ~ 때문에, ~로 인하여

[3] Since wedding venues are typically booked six months to a year in advance, news of the concert, first reported in mid-January, has left couples like Song caught off guard.

typically: 일반적으로, 보통

catch (someone) off guard: ~의 허를 찌르다. (기대하지 않았던 일로) 깜짝 놀라게 하다

[4] Some anxious couples are even discussing the possibility of seeking compensation for disruptions they say the BTS concert could cause, arguing that the scale of the event goes beyond what consumers could reasonably foresee or prepare for.

compensation: 보상, 배상

disruption: 방해, 차질, 혼란을 초래하는 상황

기사원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10677822

진행자: 홍유, Chelsea Proctor

Grades dominate parent talks with elementary students

기사요약: 초등학생과 부모 간 대화가 적성이나 진로보다 성적 중심으로 집중되는 경향이 심화되는 가운데, 초등학생 우울 지수도 함께 상승한 것으로 나타났다.

[1] Conversations between parents and elementary school children in South Korea are increasingly centered on academic performance rather than aptitude or future aspirations, coinciding with rising levels of depression among younger students.

aptitude: 특정 분야에 대한 적성, 소질, 타고난 능력

aspiration: 이루고자 하는 열망, 포부, 장래 희망

coincide with: ~와 동시에 발생하다

[2] According to a recent report by the Ministry of Education, the proportion of elementary school students who said they discuss their grades or academic performance with their parents every day rose to 30.5 percent in 2025, up from 25.7 percent five years earlier.

proportion: 비율

discuss: 논의하다

[3] By contrast, the share of students who reported talking daily about their aptitude, dreams or future school choices remained relatively low, standing at 15 percent and 15.7 percent, respectively.

The survey was conducted in 2025 among 6,751 sixth-grade elementary students nationwide as part of the ministry’s annual student assessment.

relatively: 비교적, 상대적으로

respectively: 각각, 순서대로

[4] The report noted that conversations about children’s long-term direction remain limited, revealing a tendency among parents to place greater emphasis on short-term academic outcomes than on broader future pathways.

tendency: 어떤 방향으로 기울어지는 경향, 성향, 추세

기사원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10677777

Soaring gold prices reshape Korea’s rituals

진행자: 최정윤, Tannith Kriel

기사 요약: 오르는 금값에 오랜 기간 한국의 전통이었던 돌잔치 등의 모습이 바뀌고 있다.

[1] Gold has long been woven into the fabric of Korean life. The precious metal has traditionally marked key rites of passage, from births and marriages to other major milestones.

-weave into: 깊이 스며들다.

-fabric: 사회 등의 구조

-rite: 의례

[2] But soaring gold prices are reshaping customs, prompting cutbacks and substitutions in traditions once taken for granted.

-cutback: 삭감, 감축

-take for granted: 당연한 일로 여기다, 대수롭지 않게 여기다

[3] The spot price of gold in Korea hovered at around 245,000 won ($168) a gram as of Thursday, representing a roughly 80 percent increase from 138,000 won a year earlier, according to the Korea Exchange. Before a sharp sell-off earlier this week, the metal had peaked at 269,810 won.

-spot price: 현물 가격

-sell-off: 매각

[4] Zooming out, the scale of the rally becomes even clearer. Gold prices have climbed more than threefold over the past five years and are now over five times higher than levels seen a decade ago. As prices soar, Koreans are increasingly moving away from gold at key life events, rethinking long-held customs amid mounting costs.

-zoom out:

-mounting: 증가하는

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10671172

After 'Culinary Class Wars' craze, its bake-off version comes out — and it's much worse

진행자: 최정윤, Tannith Kriel

기사 요약: 흑백요리사의 전성기가 가고 새롭게 등장한 빵 대결 넷플릭스 프로그램 "천하제빵"이 또 다시 음식 경연 열기를 높이고 있지만, 심사위원 선정과 제작 과정 등의 한계로 논란이 되고 있다.

[1] Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars" swept South Korea last year with its high-drama face-offs between chefs, pairing visually striking dishes with the deeply personal philosophies of its contestants. More than an entertainment show, the series captured hearts and quickly evolved into a cultural phenomenon.

-high-drama: 신나는 사건, 긴박한 상황.

-face-off: 대결

[2] Riding that momentum, and with the second season of "Culinary Class Wars" wrapping in January, broadcasters have rushed to capitalize on the food survival boom.

-wrap: 끝나다

-capitalize: 자본화하다

[3] Among the wave of new entrants, Korean cable network MBN's "Cheonha Bakery: Bake Your Dream" has emerged as the most prominent. A baking-centric spin on the competitive formula, the series debuted Feb. 1 and quickly climbed into Netflix Korea’s Top 10 TV shows after just one episode, as of Sunday.

-entrant: (경주,대회의) 출전자, 참가자

-prominent: 중요한, 유명한

[4] From its opening episode, "Cheonha Bakery: Bake Your Dream" follows a familiar blueprint. Acclaimed professionals and amateur bakers alike compete under aliases rather than their real names, presenting signature creations for a first-round evaluation that mirrors the structure of "Culinary Class Wars." As with the Netflix show, half the field is eliminated in the opening round following panel judging.

-acclaimed: 환호, 호평을 받고 있는.

-alias: 가명

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10672043

진행자: 간형우, Devin Whiting

3.6 million young Koreans don't own homes — most on record

기사 요약: 2024년 기준 무주택 20·30대 가구주가 역대 가장 많은 361만 명을 기록하며 청년층 주거 불안이 더욱 악화되고 있다.

[1] A record-breaking 3.61 million heads of households in their 20s and 30s did not own homes here in 2024, data showed Sunday, with nearly a million of them residing in Seoul.

household: 가구

reside in: ~에 거주하다 (*resident: 거주하는 사람, 주민)

[2] The number of household heads under the age of 40 who did not own homes reached the highest figure since the government started its official tally in 2015, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.

reach: 닿다

tally: 기록, 총계

[3] The number of young Seoul residents who do not own homes has been trending upward since an initial tally of 799,491 in 2015, as has the figure in the greater Seoul area, which includes Gyeonggi Province and Incheon.

trend upward: 상승세를 보이다

greater Seoul area: 수도권

[4] Just 1.29 million Koreans under 40 owned homes -- 666,640 of them in the greater Seoul area and 216,129 in Seoul itself. All figures were the lowest on record.

on record: 기록 상, 기록되어 있는

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10671963