진행자: 박준희, Chelsea Proctor

What were the best K-dramas of 2025?

기사 요약: ‘중증외상센터’, ‘폭싹 속았수다’부터 ‘서울 자가에 대기업 다니는 김 부장 이야기’까지, 올 한 해 큰 사랑을 받은 한국 드라마를 되짚어본다.

[1] The year began strongly with Netflix’s January release of “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call.” The medical drama follows genius surgeon Kang-hyuk (Ju Ji-hoon), balancing heroics with authentic surgical intensity. The drama gained traction by pairing its weighty, human-centered storylines with fantastical depictions of a hero doctor, which added moments of levity to the tension.

strongly: 강하게 *strong: adj. 강한, 힘센

genius: 천재; 특별한 재능

authentic: 진본인; 정확한

gain traction: 주목받기 시작하다

[2] If “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” set the tone, Netflix’s “When Life Gives You Tangerines” may have delivered one of the year’s biggest breakouts. Anchored by the Hallyu sensation pairing of IU and Park Bo-gum, the series was the cultural touchstone of the first half of 2025 — creating buzz as well as viewership with a story that resonated across ages and borders.

set the tone: 분위기를 정하다; 기조를 제시하다

anchored by: ~에 의해 진행되는, 닻을 내린, 핵심적 존재가 중심을 잡는 역할을 하는

sensation: 큰 반향을 일으킨 사람, 사건, 콘텐츠

touchstone: 기준

[3] Other streaming titles also left their mark. Disney+’s “Tempest,” starring Jun Ji-hyun and Kang Dong-won, ranked second worldwide among the over-the-top service's originals during its run. Domestically, though, the series struggled to sustain momentum, facing stiff competition and fading post-release discussion despite its some 50 billion won ($34 million) budget and A-list cast.

worldwide: 전세계적인

struggle: 힘겹게 ~하다

momentum: (일의 진행에 있어서의) 탄력; 가속도

stiff: 뻣뻣한, 딱딱한 *stiff competition 치열한 경쟁

[4] Later in the year, “The Dream Life of Mr. Kim,” starring Ryu Seung-ryong as an everyman facing unemployment, family life and office politics, struck a chord with viewers. It topped Netflix Korea’s TV chart while logging peak ratings of 7.6 percent with its grounded, relatable storytelling.

everyman: 평범한 사람

unemployment: 실직; 실업

strike a chord: 심금을 울리다, 공감을 불러일으키다

relatable: 공감 가능한; 연관있다고 느끼는

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10643642

[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: 간형우, Devin Whiting

When wealthy call themselves poor

기사 요약: 최근 소셜 미디어에서 유행하는 ‘가난 챌린지’를 두고, 실제로는 부유한 삶을 살면서 스스로를 가난하다고 표현하는 게시물들이 빈곤을 희화화한다는 비판이 제기되고 있다.

[1] A new South Korean social media trend that pairs conspicuous displays of wealth with ironic references to poverty is drawing backlash for trivializing economic hardship.

conspicuous: 두드러진

trivialize: 사소하게 만들다, 하찮아 보이게 만들다

[2] Dubbed the "poverty challenge," the trend involves users sharing photos or videos showcasing a luxurious lifestyle — including high-end cars, designer goods and expensive travel — while captioning the posts with phrases such as "this unbearable poverty" or "this exhausting life of poverty."

poverty: 가난

unbearable: 견딜 수 없는

exhausting: 진을 빼는

[3] Recent posts circulating online include images of instant noodles eaten in first class airline cabins described as “severe poverty,” a 15 million won ($11,000) Dior baby stroller framed as a purchase that left a family “broke,” and photos taken from the driver’s seat of luxury sports cars with designer watches visible, accompanied by captions lamenting the lack of money for fuel.

circulate: 순환하다, (소문 등이) 유포되다, 돌다

lament: 슬퍼하다, 한탄하다

[4] Online reaction has been largely negative. Many users questioned whether poverty should be used as a joke, saying the posts cross a line.

cross a line: 선을 넘다

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10644199

진행자: 간형우, Devin Whiting

Coupang’s W1.7tr payout plan fails to quell public anger

기사 요약: 쿠팡이 최근 발생한 대규모 고객 정보 유출 사건과 관련해 1조 6,850억 원 규모의 보상안을 내놓았지만, 소비자 단체들은 이를 소비자를 기만하는 조치라며 비판했다.

[1] Coupang said Monday it will roll out a 1.685 trillion won ($1.2 billion) compensation package — worth roughly 10 percent of its quarterly sales — in an effort to restore customer trust after a major data breach.

compensation: 보상

restore: 회복하다

breach: 파기, 위반

[2] Starting Jan. 15, the company will distribute 50,000-won vouchers to 33.7 million users whose personal data was compromised in late November.

distribute: 나누어 주다

voucher: 상품권

compromise: 타협하다, 훼손하다

[3] Coupang’s compensation plan, however, drew sharp criticism from the Korean National Council of Consumer Organizations, which dismissed it as a superficial gesture aimed at easing public backlash rather than offering meaningful redress.

dismiss: 일축하다

superficial: 표면적인

backlash: 반발

redress: (n) 보상, 배상 (v) 바로잡다, 시정하다

[4] With a large portion of the vouchers usable only on less frequently used services, the group said the plan effectively pushes customers to spend more on Coupang’s platforms rather than providing substantive restitution for the breach.

substantive: 실질적인

restitution: 보상, 배상, 반환

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10645026

When 'oppa' becomes '-ssi': linguistic markers of K-drama

기사 요약: "오빠"와 "-씨" 라는 호칭의 미묘한 간극으로 바뀌는 드라마 속의 관계, 호칭의 언어학으로 풀어내는 K-드라마

[1] If you've ever felt a K-drama relationship quietly recalibrate without a clear blowup, the explanation is often linguistic rather than plot-driven.

recalibrate: 다시 조정하다

blowup: 폭발, 큰 싸움

linguistic: 언어의

[2] Korean is a language that prioritizes relationships and social context over individual identity, and the way one person addresses another often betrays how they truly feel. In this regard, titles and honorifics frequently do the storytelling in K-dramas that the script doesn't explain in detail. Certain titles recur so often across K-dramas that recognizing them becomes a form of essential viewing literacy.

address: 호칭하다. ~에게 말을 걸다.

recur: 되풀이 되다, 재발하다

[3] "Hyung" is literally translated as older brother, but that definition goes deeper in the K-drama context. In practice, hyung operates as a linguistic shortcut to chosen family. When used outside of blood relationships, it establishes a bond rooted in deep friendship and intimacy. When Nak-soo in "The Dream Life of Mr. Kim" refers to his workplace superior as hyung rather than by an official title, the atmosphere shifts. The hierarchy largely disappears, with the title signaling personal intimacy that exists beyond workplace ranks.

in practice: 실제로는

operate: 가동하다, 작동하다

shortcut: 지름길

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10637471

진행자: 최정윤, Tannith Kriel

From loneliness to rebuilding identity: Inside lives of expat spouses in Korea

기사 요약: 남편을 따라 한국에 살게 되면서 유망한 커리어를 포기해야 했던 국내 체류 외국인 여성들. 한국에서의 삶과 그 속에서 다시 찾아가는 성장의 이야기

[1] On a weekday morning in Seoul, a group of women introduced themselves in a mix of accents: Indian, Danish, French, American, German and more. Some wheeled strollers. Others arrived straight from school drop-off.

stroller: 유모차

drop-off: 차로 내려줌

[2] Nearly all of them, at some point in their lives, had been the person at the center of a meeting room, a project or a team. In South Korea, many now find themselves identified first as something else: someone’s mother or someone's wife -- an "expat spouse.”

identify A as B: A를 B로 규정, 확인하다, 설명하다

expat: (고국이 아닌 곳에 거주하는) 국외 거주자 (expatriate)

[3] One of them is 43-year-old Yolekha Mallier, who arrived in Seoul from Seattle two years ago. With two young children, she carried with her a decadelong career leading product teams at Amazon. She always had a certainty that work — meaningful, stimulating work — would anchor her idedntity.

decade-long: 10년 간의

anchor: 닻을 내리다, 근간이 되다

[4] For Inger Winther Johannsen, the free fall came unexpectedly.

Back in Denmark, Winther Johannsen had a career she loved rooted in public welfare. With genuine passion, she developed programs for families and children in vulnerable situations, supported advocacy groups and led nonprofit teams.

free fall: 자유 낙하, 갑작스러운 하락

advocacy: 변호. 지지

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10637423

진행자: 간형우, Devin Whiting

Officetel, a unique form of living that has its ups and downs

기사 요약: 한국의 도심에서 쉽게 찾을 수 있는 거주 형태인 ‘오피스텔’은 단기 거주에 편리하지만, 계약 구조상의 한계 등 단점이 있어서 입주 전 꼼꼼한 확인이 필요하다.

[1] As in many countries, South Korea’s single-person households often choose studio or small apartments — commonly called “one-room” or “two-room” here, depending on their size.

commonly: 흔히

depend on (something) : ~에 의존하다

[2] One of the most popular alternatives is the officetel, a hybrid commercial-residential unit classified as quasi-housing under the Housing Act.

alternative: 대안

quasi- : 유사의

[3] As its name suggests, it can be used for both work and living, though most units are occupied solely as residences.

occupy: 사용하다, 차지하다

solely: 오로지

[4] An officetel building typically combines offices, retail spaces and residential units under one roof, functioning as a self-contained microliving environment.

function: 기능하다

self-contained: 자립적인, 자급자족하는, 독립적인

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10634719

진행자: 간형우, Devin Whiting

Marathon coach in viral finish-line video receives heavy penalty

기사 요약: 인천국제마라톤 결승선에서 삼척시청 소속 육상 감독과 선수의 모습이 담긴 영상이 온라인에서 논란이 된 가운데, 해당 감독은 직무 태만과 직권 남용 등을 이유로 1년 6개월간 자격 정지 처분을 받았다.

[1] Coach Kim Wan-ki of the Samcheok City Hall marathon team, whose attempt at postrace care of a marathoner at the finish line sparked heated debate online last month, has been heavily penalized.

spark: 촉발시키다

debate: 토론

penalize: 처벌하다

[2] The Samcheok Sports Council said Thursday that Kim has been suspended from duties for one year and six months for negligence of duty, abuse of authority, human rights violations and workplace harassment

suspend: 중지하다

negligence: 태만

abuse: 남용

harassment: 괴롭힘

[3] Controversy erupted after a video of Kim making what some viewers interpreted as “inappropriate” physical contact with marathoner Lee Su-min at the 2025 Incheon International Marathon went viral.

erupt: 분출하다

inappropriate: 부적절한

[4] Lee, a 33-year-old runner with the Samcheok City Hall track team, won the women’s elite division at the 2025 Incheon International Marathon on Nov. 23. As she crossed the finish line, Kim approached her and attempted to drape a towel over her upper body. Lee grimaced and pushed him away. The moment, captured in the live broadcast, quickly spread online.

drape: 걸치다

grimace: 얼굴을 찡그리다

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10634891

진행자: 박준희, Chelsea Proctor

How a Shinsegae heiress became K-pop’s most-watched rookie

기사 요약: 대부분의 K팝 아이돌이 평범한 가정에서 오랜 연습생 생활 끝에 데뷔하는 것과 달리, 신세계 가문 출신인 애니는 ‘재벌가 아이돌’이라는 이색적인 이력으로 특별한 주목을 받고 있다.

[1] Born into the Shinsegae family, which controls one of South Korea’s largest retail empires, Annie is the granddaughter of Shinsegae Group chair Lee Myung-hee and the eldest daughter of company president Chung Yoo-kyung. Lee, the youngest daughter of the late Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul, is also the aunt of current Samsung chairman Lee Jae-yong.

*retail: 소매

*empire: 제국

*eldest: 가장 나이가 많은

*current: 현재의; 지금의

[2] Annie, the first known chaebol heiress to enter the K-pop industry, drew widespread attention long before her official debut. News that she was training under The Black Label went viral in February 2024, putting her in the public eye months ahead of schedule.

*heiress: (특히 상당한 재산의) 여자 상속인, 상속녀

*widespread: 광범위한, 널리 퍼진

*viral: (인터넷을 통한) 입소문의, (인터넷을 통해 바이러스처럼) 급속히 번지는

*public eye: 대중의 시선, 관심이 집중되는 상태

[3] She has been active as a performer for a little over a year, and appears to have made a strong entry — particularly in South Korea, where chaebol families have long been viewed with skepticism over their wealth, influence and tight control of corporate management.

*active: 활동하는, 활동적인

*performer: 공연하는 사람

*skepticism: 회의론

* wealth: 부, 재산

[4] Unlike most K-pop rookies — who begin training in their childhood or early teens, come from modest backgrounds and spend years in rigorous training -- Annie's upbringing was different. She received an elite education -- as other chaebol kids do -- but her passion for K-pop was the same as ordinary would-be idols.

*rookie: 신인

*modest: 겸손한, 수수한

*rigorous: 엄격한

*upbringing: 양육, (가정) 교육, 성장 과정

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10628757

[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

'Endangered Love' sets Lee Chan-hyuk apart in a trend-obsessed K-pop music scene

기사 요약: 포화된 K팝 시장에서 대중성과 예술성의 균형을 잡은 이찬혁의 ‘멸종위기사랑’은 분명한 메시지와 탄탄한 스토리텔링으로 대중의 마음을 사로잡았다.

[1] In South Korea's highly saturated music scene, similar tunes and repetitive hooks dominate the mainstream, and a song's popularity is often measured by the size of its singer's fandom. Lee Chan-hyuk of indie pop band AKMU took a different approach.

*saturated: 포화된; 흠뻑 젖은

*repetitive: (계속) 반독되는; (지루할·단조로운 정도로) 반복적인

*dominate: 지배하다; ~의 가장 중요한 특징이 되다

*mainstream: (사상·견해 등의) 주류; 대세

[2] Many K-pop releases tend to place heavy emphasis on photo concepts and universe storylines. But the 29-year-old's second album "Eros," released in July, delves into the emotional void and inner turmoil that follow the loss of another person. It extends the thematic arc of his first album "Error," where he first explored the concept of death.

*emphasis: 강조; 주안점

*delve into: ~를 자세히 탐구하다, ~를 깊이 파고들다

*void: 공허감; (커다란) 빈 공간

*turmoil: 혼란; 소란

[3] In a big swerve from the usual fluffy, performance-driven loud beats, Lee's album cuts through the noise with a bold mix of genres layered over a distinctly 1980s retro synth-pop base. At first, the songs may not grab listeners the way other K-pop tracks do, but his self-crafted, nine-track album doesn't just aim to entertain listeners with good visuals. It wants to be heard.

*swerve: 방향을 바꾸다(틀다)

*genre: 종류; 유형; (문학·예술의) 장르; 양식

*retro: 복고풍의

*entertain: 즐겁게 해주다

[4] The album explores love -- yes, a familiar theme in music -- but goes further, diving into the emotions of emptiness, numbness and the surreal disorientation of youth in a society that pressures you to conform, inviting music listeners to his unique artistic flair. Its reflections linger, resonating long after the music ends.

*explore: 탐험하다; 탐구하다; 분석하다

*familiar: 익숙한; 친숙한

*disorientation: 방향 감각 상실; 혼미; (disorient: 혼란스럽게[갈피를 못 잡게] 만들다)

*conform: (관습 등에) 따르다; (규칙·법 등에) 따르다

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10625066

[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

From 'soft no's to hidden anger: Why Koreans communicate indirectly

기사 요약: 한국의 집단 중심적이고 계층적인 문화에서 직설적인 표현을 피하려는 경향이 강하게 나타나며, 이로 인해 분노나 불만을 간접적이고 수동적으로 표출하는 경향이 있다.

[1] A few weeks ago, Kim working for a government agency was reprimanded by his boss after a misunderstanding spiraled out of control. The boss, fresh from being scolded by his own superior, turned to Kim with anger in his eyes and demanded, “Do I have to go through this because of you?”

reprimand: 질책하다

spiral: (상황이) 악화되다

[2] Kim froze. He knew the situation had been caused by an unforeseen complication, not by any mistake on his part. He wanted to say, “It wasn’t my fault,” but the words wouldn’t come out.

unforeseen: 예기치 않은

complication: 복잡한 문제

[3] “If I talked back, I thought his voice would get louder. I didn’t want a scene in the office. It would have been even more humiliating,” he said. “So I stayed silent.” But his silence left a mark.

to cause a scene: 큰 소란을 일으키다

humiliate: 창피를 주다

[4] Before the incident, Kim and his boss occasionally stepped out for a smoke together. Afterward, Kim started pulling away emotionally. When the boss asked him to join him, he lied that he had already gone. His motivation for work also deteriorated. He slowed down his work on purpose and left the office exactly at six, even if tasks were unfinished.

motivation: 동기

deteriorate: 악화되다

기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10626473