The Most Intense Taekwondo Fight Ever

The Most Intense Taekwondo Fight Ever. Too bloody for my taste. http://ow.ly/89hMu

Let's Have a Korean Sunday Lunch! - Dec 18, 2011

One of the old members of KoreanLA, George Ulmer, is hosting a Korean lunch in Koreatown. Please join him!

Waking up like a Korean: Sunrise Hiking & Breakfast

This event may be the last one of the year for this group. So please come join us to bring out your inner Korean!

Click here to read about
Andrew's first Hiking Experience
in Seoul, South Korea

Did you know that hiking is #1 activity amongst Koreans, both in Korea and overseas? So just for this morning, let's pretend that we're Koreans; if you're a Korean/Korean-American, let's pretend that we're in Korea.

THE WALK:
We will walk to the top of Santa Monica Mountain trail, welcome the sunrise, then enjoy the traditional Korean breakfast in the heart of Koreatown. Bring your windbreakers, walking shoes, a bottle of water, a few bucks for breakfast and your cameras to take pictures of you, of Hollywood sign on the top of the world, and of your Korean breakfast! The walk will be 40-60 minute long.

THE BREAKFAST:
If you never had traditional post-hiking Korean breakfast before, here's your chance to try it. Our KoreanLA's activity resource guru Soo Yun Kim suggested not only the trail but also introduced the restaurant we will be heading out to. I did R&D by visiting this restaurant; and I felt like I was in Korea!

IF YOU CAN'T JOIN THE WALK:
Join us at the breakfast anyway! Korean breakfast does not taste the same when not preceded by "Sunrise Hiking," so others say. So if you can, please re-consider and walk with us. Breakfast will be at about 8:30 am, give-and-take 1 hour. Please follow us on Twitter (@KoreanLA), and we will Tweet when we leave the parking lot. Note: We may "Check-in" via Meetup app too, but Twitter is faster, accurate, and all-inclusive.

IF YOU PLAN TO DRINK SOJU & PARTY THE NIGHT BEFORE:
There's nothing like Korean breakfast that can ease your hangover.

RAIN OR SHINE!
If it rains, we will choose an alternative path for a relaxing stroll before heading out for the breakfast.

RSVP is not required but strongly recommended.
Due to the restaurant's capacity, we'd appreciate if you RSVP

Charari - '차라리'

Question today comes from 민들레 who asked about "차라리."

"차라리' 어떡해 써도 돼요?

Google Commemorates Hangeul Nal

Google doodle today, commemorating and celebrating the 565th Hangeul Day (제525돌 한글날) on Oct 10, 2011, Korea time (http://google.co.kr).

Hangeul is the name of Korean writing system, and the day falls on Oct 10 each year.

And, of course, the message is an addition by yours truly, not by Google. :)

Special thank-you to everyone, and farewell to Mijoong Yoon

We've had many volunteer instructors who never ceased to amaze us with their eagerness to help us and their smiles. Without them, we couldn't host free classes and workshops for you. Without them, we wouldn't be having Norebang'ean (learning Korean through Korean songs) and study groups assisted by Korea native speakers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to respond to your requests and organize workshops that fits your needs. Without them, we won't be having a professional mixer, attend concerts, have picnics, and and get good deals on Korean stuff.

I want to borrow this space to send special thank-you's to all and every man and woman who've been with us, both KLCX and KoreanLA. Thank you for all your time, time, money, and passion you've given out freely without asking for anything in return.

In no particular order, including office staff, instructors, teachers assistants, organizers, event hosts, IT advisers, marketers, and everyone in every capacity:

Jini Sun, Thomas Lim, Jeong Myung Jang, Keum Oak Hong, Myoungsu Park, Hongjin Chi, Scarlet O'Hara, Gammy Anon, Gammy Anon, Jr., Dolores Espie Hernandez, Suzie "Joyous" Walker, Lorenzo Kim, Lorenzo Lee, John Kim, Soo Yun Kim, JiHyeon Rim, Mijoong Yoon, Jamie Jin, Shihoon Park, YoungHyeon Huh, Hana, Kim, James Kim, Christopher Esser, Grace Lee, Hyobin Hwang, Andree Valdry, David Cho, Nathan Cho, Don, Kim, Goerges Aintablian, Susan Weintaub, William B, Joy Kim, Kang Kim, Caren Kimm, Miranda Weiss, Warren Kim, John Chang, Soo Chang, Ziyoung Hong, Jiyoung Lee, Serom Hana Na, Jung Min Hwang, Christina Kim, Christine Moon, Ami Son, Suwon Son, Myunghwan Kang, Sung Kim, Sang Kim, Ho Myung Suh, Jin Hwa Do, and Minson Nam.

If I missed anyone, please let me know.

Today I send special thank-you to Mijoong Yoon, who moved to Texas two weeks ago. Mijoong joined KoreanLA in 2008. She taught intermediate Korean every 4-6 weeks, and we all know how hard she worked to get the information and resource to you. I am sure she and her husband will enjoy their new lives together in Texas; We will all miss her!

By the way, Yoon is not related to yours truly - we just have the same last name. :)

Thank you again, everyone!

If you have a talent or a skill, and can support KLCX/KoreanLA, please email us your ideas and suggestions. Our goal is to make sure we all have fun while making things happen for others too. Thank you!

Please welcome Andree Valdry, our newest Event Organizer

To many, Andree is not a new face. She's been a member of KoreanLA since 2008. She's also an Organizer of Korean Food Connoisseurs (old Korean BBQ Groupies).

I'm delighted that Andree accepted our request to step up as an Event Organizer and to organize foodie events for KoreanLA. Many of us are big foodies, and I have no doubt she (and her group's AO's) will bring so much to KoreanLA! Please join our future foodie events.

Andree, thanks and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Hanjeongsik: Formal & Traditional Meal of Korea

A couple of months ago, someone asked me what Hanjeongsik (한정식) was. Last week upon announcing the detail about our 2011 Korean Thanksgiving Dining-out, someone asked me about its price that's more than what people are used to.

Friends, it's time we talked about Korean food - but not the one you've known all this time!

I may not be a certified culinary expert, but my knowledge comes from my own experience, growing up in a family with one of the most old-school and traditional values, observing traditional occasions and courtesy at our best abilities in changing times. So here is a "real life" knowledge that I lived, not just an expert's explanation who had to learn and hear about it from some other source written by someone who had to research it. So pardon the subjectivity as this is not from a textbook. But it is as close to the truth as it can get.

2011 Hangawi (Thanksgiving) Dinner Mixer

Fit for a Korean Noble (well, close enough.)

~ 더도 말고 덜도 말고 한가위만 같아라 ~

Hangawi is also known as Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving Day. This year it falls on Monday, Sept 12. Your KoreanLA is taking this special day as our opportunity to meet and get to know each other!

We are also inviting members of EnglishLA (English for Busy People in Los Angeles), a group of native Koreans who are learning and practicing English language.

What is so special about this dine-out event? We will have Hansik (한식 | 한정식), which is a modern version of traditional course-meal the nobles and the riches had way back when in Korea. This is not a do-it-youself tabletop Korean BBQ, folks!

So come join us!

'-(으)니' in Seung Ki Lee's song '지금부터 사랑해'

Question today comes from Tan in Malaysia.

I'm now trying to understand the song "지금부터 사랑해" by 이승기,
and of course.. I'm facing some problems. :( Please help!!!

"지금 와서 보니 추억도 많더라"

- I'm eager to know how to use "보니", I know "보다" means "to see", but I wonder its usage right here means:

→"looking back"??? as there is an "오다" [back] before it... OR,

→ the "보니" is actually a grammar point which indicates "After doing..., I found out that...", or only the "-니" is having this indication, not the whole "보니"?

Many thanks!

Extreme Taekwondo Performance

Like I said, Korea invented Bboy. :p

How many characters can Hangeul create?

Hangeul (Korean writing system) has only 14 consonants and 10 vowels. Combining them, you can create virtually limitless sounds and characters.

So just out of curiosity, how many characters can Hangeul create?

What's African-American in Korean? How's it different from 흑인?

Question today comes from K.B. Ansari about the term "African-American."

I was watching Korean television and I came across someone talking about black culture, hip-hop and so forth. I never knew of a way to say "black" in Korean (other than the color) and always used 아프리카 미국인. To see this other way caught my attention and I wanted to see if it has any other meanings behind it before I started to use it.

Does '흑인' mean anything else? I don't want to start referring to myself and say something degrading. Not to say that I believe it will, but just to be on the safe side.

정말 감사합니다! ^^

Reminder to Members

Hello Polyglots and Hallyu fans!

It has come to my attention that we’ve had increased number of regretful incidences involving chat features and member harassment in our groups. Usually matters like these are handled quietly. I regret that I feel the dire need to make the following announcements.

Location Marker: ~에 vs ~에서

Question today comes from onlypenpal about the location marker, "에" vs. "에서"

질문 하나 여쭤봐도 되죠. 왜 "~에서 살고 계세요"나 "~에서 사세요"를 사용하지 않아요? 여러분들 다 " ~에 살고 계세요"나 "~에 사세요"를 사용하니까. 궁금합니다.

Language Exchange in Irvine on Saturday, Aug 13, 2011

*** PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST! ***

Need that little bit of extra practice with your Korean conversational skills? Need help with your English conversational skills? This is your chance to get those needs met.

This event is designed to expose those learning English AND Korean to native speakers of those respective languages in order for you to perfect those skills. Our format is fun and allows you to practice your skills in a comfortable environment.

As with most events I host, the party does not stop here. While it is not required as part of this event, we will be planning on going to Korean BBQ afterwards as 2 cha... This will give you a chance to further practice your skills and get to know fellow members.

Please note, simply RSVPing does NOT guarantee you a spot. Please follow RSVP instruction below.

Beginners & Intermediate 4-week series concludes.

Once again, thanks for your support of the KoreanLA and support of each other! We concluded our 4-week series for Beginners and Intermediate Korean Language classes. We started to take applications (*1) with total of 12 seats, admitted 15 for each class including assessment students (*2) and concluded each class with 8 for Beginners and 10 for Intermediate.

We had particularly difficult challenges for this series. We had venue issues almost every week, Carmageddon that scared some of you enough to stay home and miss classes, and local events and traffic that caused many people to be late, including the instructor. In spite all the challenges, everyone were diligent and worked hard. I am always impressed by not only the progress you make but how kind and supportive you all are of each other. This month was particularly special. Thank you, everyone!

Now that summer is almost over and language schools begin their new sessions, we will offer mostly 1-day intensive workshops rather than series until later this year. We will continue to organize Language Exchange and a few ding-outs and socials. If you have suggestions as to what you want us to organize for you, shoot us an email! We will do our best to make things happen!

Thanks, and see you soon again!

(*1) How we take applications for the classes: you just need to RSVP when invited. Easy!
(*2) Assessment students: those who are not sure what level they are, or those who want to attend a class to see if they're up for the challenge, can attend first class of the series upon an instructor's approval.

Class location this Saturday (& KBBQ Cook-off)

Hi all!

We are having a particularly challenging month in terms of meeting locations. First, we had a reservation conflict for classes, then a capacity issue for a language exchange. This week, the Korean BBQ Cook-off in its 3rd year decided to change its location and grew its size, blocking the street on which our meeting location is. (Congratulations to them!)

I've been informed that Hobart between 7th and Wilshire will be closed. Please plan on coming early, park the car and walk to the meeting location.  I will be there early in the morning to assess the situation, and will text you a new address if we have to meet somewhere else. You can also check the hotline and listen to a recorded message at 626-LEARN-01 (532-7601).

My preference is that we meet at the same location - so that you can easily attend classes and just step out to enjoy the BBQ event!

See you Saturday!

Intermediate Korean this Saturday - please watch the video before you come.

Hello, all!

As announced, for the last class of the series, we will change our pace a little.

For this class, please watch following clips before you come to the class. We'll discuss cultural insights, review/learn a couple of grammar points and drill them into our heads.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8yEglAS5Bg
(in case above link doesn't work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5OdlCqGVg0)

Transcript: http://files.meetup.com/217092/20770709-INT-vdoscript.pdf

See you Saturday!

P.S. Series announcement: http://ow.ly/5A3wl

Language Exchange Today - Possible location change

Annyoung haseyo,

We're having a bigger-than-originally-planned group for Korean/English Language Exchange today. Please stay tuned for possible location change. We will text you by 1:30 pm with an update. I am hoping that the current venue can accommodate us so that we don't have to move. Please keep your fingers crossed for us!

If you RSVP'ed as instructed, I should have your mobile phone number. If you don't have a mobile phone that can receive texts, you can (1) follow KoreanLA's twitter account (@Twitter) or (2) call KoreanLA's event hotline and listen to the recorded message after 1:45 pm. Phone number is (626) 532-7601 (LEARN 01)


안녕하세요.

오늘 한영 언어교환 참석인이 처음 계획햇던 것 보다 많은 분들이 오시게 되었습니다. 그래서 모임 장소에 변동이 생길지도 모르겠습니다. 변동이 있으면 오늘 1시 30분까지 주신 전화번호로 문자를 보내겠습니다. 모임 장소가 이번 이벤트를 수용할 수 있게 해서 장소 변경이 없도록 노력하고자 하니 같은 마음으로 바래주세요.

양식에 맞춰 참가 신청을 해 주셨다면 제게 귀하의 전화번호가 있는데요. 혹시나 문자를 받을 수 없는 전화번호를 주셨다면 (1) 한류 클럽인 KoreanLA의 트위터 구좌를 봐 주세요 (영어 트윗).  또는, (2) KoreanLA의 핫라인에 전화를 하셔서 녹음된 공지를 들어주시면 감사하겠습니다. 전화 번호는 (626) 532-7601입니다.

고맙습니다.


Zeanie Yoon
Korean Language and Culture Club – Los Angeles
KoreanLA.org

KLCX/KoreanLA hotline: 626-532-7601 (626-LEARN-01)
Send a text message: 818-585-4183
Email: KoreanLanguageAndCulture@gmail.com

Intermediate Korean 4-week Series begins on July 9

*** Read the announcement thoroughly and follow the instruction ***

Only 2 hours a week.
4 weeks only.
That's all you need to commit.

We will walk through a couple of Korean advertisements. We will watch segments of Korean dramas. We will play games. We will spend some time on necessary grammar. We will learn popular phrases. And we will have drill sessions, practicing them repeatedly. We will read, write, listen and speak as much as we can.

This series will be somewhere between guided study group and intensive workshops to accommodate all levels within intermediate Korean.

Beginners Korean 4-week Series begins on July 9

*** Read the announcement thoroughly and follow the instruction ***

Only 2 hours a week.
4 weeks only.
That's all you need to commit.

The series is designed for busy adults. Each series has one clear goal. You will be guided through one step at a time. You will practice as much as you can. On the last day of the series, you will have confidence from the knowledge that you're ready to move on to a next level.

Why Yoon's Classes?

You finally decided to take an action. So you bought a couple of language software. You subscribed to online resources. You attended private schools and public colleges. You got yourself a private tutor. You joined websites and forums.

It's fun. Things are going great. And then, things are not going great. Why isn't it going great?

I was there too. I am still there. It's frustrating. I thought about what's making it difficult. I knew what's needed to make it not difficult. I wished I could meet someone to help me with a kind of program I was looking for. But I just didn't find anyone who could.

So one day, I decided to come up with a program myself. After all, I had been teaching Korean language and culture for many years. I had a solution in my hands, at least for Korean language.

So here is the list of what sets my classes apart from others. I hope this is something you've been looking for. And I hope you decide to take classes from me and join the program.

KoreanLA blog has moved!

Hello Polyglots, Hallyu fans, KoreanLA'ers and friends!

Our blog is moving to blogspot.com! Our home address has not changed - KoreanLA.org.

While previous blogs/forums served a role as an announcement board, the new blog will have static pages with resources and even class contents you can liberally use.

If you're new to KLCX or KoreanLA, make sure you follow our Twitter account @KoreanLA. We will make certain we tweet out all the updates.

See you at the meetups!