Lesson 10

In this episode, Angela and Peter talk about dating in Korea. Check out through the video why some Koreans still text you after a bad blind date, Koreans expecting their partner to stay connected through out the whole day, and how they both ended up getting married (not to each other!) through 소개팅.

1. 소개팅
소개팅 is Korean for blind date. It's an act of two people who are single and looking for a boy/girlfriend being introduced to each other by a mutual acquaintance.

2. 선
선 is a more serious version of 소개팅. It has a more clear purpose, which is to find a future spouse. Plus, the two parties are introduced by older adults in the family or older acquaintances. Sometimes, it's done regardless of whether the person wants it or not. You can also say 맞선. It's used with the verb 보다.

ex) 어제 선을 봤는데 잘 안 됐어요. I had a blind date yesterday but it didn't go well.

3. 중매
중매 is matching two people for marriage. It's very similar to 선 but 중매 is an act of a person who introduces two parties. It's usually used with a verb 서다.

ex) 우리 아들 중매 좀 서 줄 사람 없을까요? Is there anyone who can arrange a match for my son?

4. 조건 [조껀]
조건 means "condition" or "qualification."

ex) 도와 줄게요. 대신 조건이 하나 있어요. I'll help you, but on one condition.

ex) 그 사람은 결혼 상대로 조건이 괜찮아요. The person has good qualifications as a spouse.

5. 미팅
미팅 refers to "group blind date," but it's more for drinking and having fun rather than dating. 미팅 can also refer to a business or work-related meeting.

6. 나이트클럽
나이트클럽 is a kind of a nightclub where 부킹, a unique socialization practice in Korea, exists.

7. 부킹
부킹 is a Konglish word that comes from "booking." It is a practice in which waiters bring female patrons, sometimes forcibly, to a table to sit with men.

8. 웨이터
웨이터 is the Korean pronunciation of "waiter." Not only does 웨이터 in 나이트클럽 serve, they play as middlemen such as introducing men and women groups each other, which is called 부킹.

9. 클럽
클럽 refers to "nightclub" that is popular among young generation. The big difference between 나이트클럽 and 클럽 is whether they have 웨이터 and 부킹 or not.

ex) 클럽 안이 너무 시끄러워서 귀가 아파요. It's so loud in the club that my ears hurt.

10. 밥 먹었니? [밤머건니]
"밥 먹었니?" is a casual way of saying "Have you eaten?" or "Did you eat?" In Korea, it's used almost as a greeting such as "how are you?" You want to say "밥 먹었어요?" or "식사 하셨어요?" to be more formal.