Learning Korean through Office Stories!
- The Reality of Helicopter Parents in Korea
한국에는 안타깝게도 ‘헬리콥터 부모’라는 문화가 존재합니다.
In Korea, unfortunately, there exists a culture of ‘helicopter parents.’
특히 많은 어머니들에게 자녀의 성공은 곧 자신의 성공이자 가장 큰 자부심으로 여겨지곤 합니다.
Especially for many mothers, their child’s success is considered their own success and their greatest pride.
부끄러운 이야기지만, 일부 부모들은 자녀의 대학 생활은 물론 군대 생활까지 간섭하기도 합니다.
It is a shameful thing to admit, but some parents interfere with their children’s college lives and even their military service.
직장생활 속에도 파고든 이러한 한국 사회의 씁쓸한 단면을 날카롭게 꼬집는 부부의 대화를 들으며 자연스러운 한국어 표현을 함께 배워보겠습니다.
We will learn natural Korean expressions while listening to a conversation between a couple that sharply criticizes this bitter side of Korean society, which has even permeated into professional life.
When Helicopter Mom’s Fight
| 한국어 (발음기호 표기) | 영어 해석 (English Translation) |
| 회사에 신입사원이 들어왔는데,(Hoesa-e sinipsawoni deureowanneunde,) | A new employee joined the company, |
| 어느 날 그 신입사원 어머니가 회사로 왔대.(Eoneu nal geu sinipsawon eomeoniga hoesaro watdae.) | and one day, the new employee’s mother came to the office. |
| 그래서 인사팀에 가서,(Geuraeseo insatime gaseo,) | So she went to the HR team and said, |
| “연봉 계약서 좀 보자고. 우리 애 스펙에 비해서 연봉이 너무 낮은 것 같다.”(Yeonbong gyeyakseo jom bojado. Uri ae seupege bihaeseo yeonbongi neomu najeun geot gatda.) | “Let me see the salary contract. I think the salary is too low for my kid’s qualifications.” |
| 웬일이야.(Wen-iriya.) | Wow, what’s going on. |
| 내가 그 인사팀장이었으면 나도 엄마 부른다.(Naega geu insatimjang-ieosseumyeon nado eomma bureunda.) | If I were that HR manager, I’d call my mom too. |
| 그러면 맘 대 맘.(Geureomyeon mam dae mam.) | Then it’s mom versus mom. |
| 치맛바람이 서서히 이는 거지.(Chimatbarami seoseohi in-eun geoji.) | The ‘skirt wind’ (maternal influence) starts to blow. |
| “우리 애 연봉이 너무 작아가지고 그거 협상 좀 하려고 엄마가 왔습니다.”(Uri ae yeonbongi neomu jagagajigo geugeo hyeopsang jom haryeogo eommaga watseumnida.) | “My kid’s salary is too small, so I’m here as their mom to negotiate it.” |
| 회사가 유치원입니까?(Hoesaga yuchiwon-imnikka?) | Is this company a kindergarten? |
| 각자 능력에 맞춰 연봉 주는 거지.(Gakja neungnyeoge matchwo yeonbong juneun geoji.) | Salaries are given based on individual ability. |
| 나중에 우다다다. 인사팀에 전무님의 엄마. 90세.(Najunge udadada. Insatime jeonmunimui eomma. 90se.) | Later, the Executive Director’s mother shows up. 90 years old. |
| 인사팀의 말이 더 맞다고 볼 수밖에 없네요.(Insatimui mari deo matdago bol subakke eomneyo.) | I have to admit, the HR team’s point makes more sense. |
| 부서명 (한국어 발음) | 영어 명칭 (English Translation) |
| 인사팀 (Insa-tim) | Human Resources Team (HR Team) |
| 총무팀 (Chongmu-tim) | General Affairs Team |
| 경영지원팀 (Gyeongyeong-jiwon-tim) | Management Support Team |
| 재무/회계팀 (Jaemu/Hoegye-tim) | Finance / Accounting Team |
| 전략기획팀 (Jeonryak-gihoek-tim) | Corporate Strategy Team |
| 영업팀 (Yeongeop-tim) | Sales Team |
| 마케팅팀 (Marketing-tim) | Marketing Team |
| 고객지원팀 (Gogaek-jiwon-tim) | Customer Support Team |
| 개발팀 (Gaebal-tim) | Development Team |
| 품질관리팀 (Pumjil-gwalli-tim) | Quality Assurance Team (QA Team) |
2. The fine joy of working life
| 한국어 (발음기호 표기) | 영어 해석 (English Translation) |
| 회사에서 미팅 같은 거 하면 미팅 다과를 이렇게 쫙 깔아놓잖아, 테이블에다.(Hoesaeseo miting gateun geo hamyeon miting dagwareul ireoke jjak kkaranotjana, teibureda.) | When we have meetings at work, we lay out snacks on the table, right? |
| 내가 좋아하는 초콜릿. 완전 럭키.(Naega joahaneun chokollit. Wanjeon reokki.) | My favorite chocolate. So lucky. |
| 그러면 기분 확 업되잖아.(Geureomyeon gibun hwak eopdoejana.) | Then my mood instantly goes up. |
| 근데 아무도 안 먹는다. 아무도 안 먹어.(Geunde amudo an meongneunda. Amudo an meogeo.) | But nobody eats them. Nobody at all. |
| 누군가 시작을 해야 돼.(Nugunga sijageul haeya dwae.) | Someone has to be the first one to start. |
| 맞아. 그런데 그 안에 웨하스 같은 게 들어있어서.(Maja. Geureonde geu ane wehaseu gateun ge deureoisseoseo.) | Exactly. But there’s a wafer-like thing inside. |
| 바사삭. 에헴.(Basasak. Ehem.) | Crunch. Ahem. |
| “맛있으신가 봐요?”(“Masisseusineun ga bwayo?”) | “You seem to be enjoying it?” |
| “아 네, 맛있네요.”(“A ne, masinneyo.”) | “Oh yes, it’s delicious.” |
| “먹고 합시다.”(“Meokgo hapsida.”) | “Let’s eat first.” |
| “응. 한딱가리 하고 합시다.”(“Eung. Hanttakgari hago hapsida.”) | “Yeah. Let’s have a snack and then get to work.” |
‘한딱가리(Han-ttak-ga-ri)’ This is a very casual, colloquial Korean slang. It refers to taking a short break or doing something simple together to lighten the mood during work hours. Think of it as “Let’s take five” or “Let’s have a quick snack break.”
⚠️ Note on ‘한딱가리 (Han-ttak-ga-ri)’
This expression originated from slang used by gangsters when challenging someone to a fight. While it has become common in daily life through its frequent use in movies and media, it is not a polite or standard term. Please note that this is not a word you should use in formal situations. While it is helpful to understand the meaning, I recommend avoiding using it in your own conversations.