In my recent class on Sunday we learned more words for talking about the time, including words like 아직, 이미, 벌써, and more. The full live stream was about 2 hours long, but the abridged version here is just 9 minutes.

The post More Time Words 아직/이미/벌써, 곧/바로... | Live Class Abridged appeared first on Learn Korean with GO! Billy Korean.

In this article, we’ll teach you all about a Korean uniform.

You might be curious about what Korean uniforms are called and what they usually look like. Or perhaps you have seen one in Korean dramas and wonder where you could possibly rent one. In this article, we will cover all of that!

Uniforms in Korea

You may have noticed that Koreans have a bit of a thing for uniforms. Of course, they’re not the only country in the world where school uniforms are a norm. And, of course, it’s typical for certain jobs, as well as the military, anywhere you are, to use a uniform of some kind to express their occupation.

But in South Korea, they sometimes also seem to take the idea of a Korean uniform a little further than this! By that, we mean that it is considered fun and popular to wear uniforms even outside of the school and work setting!

For example, some rent a school uniform from a rental shop and wear it to an amusement park like Lotte World. It’s also popular to rent a vintage school uniform and walk around Ihwa Mural Village, taking many gorgeous photos to keep as a memory or to share on Instagram. This activity is not yet as common and popular as renting a hanbok, but it does seem to be an emerging trend.

What are Korean uniforms called?

The Korean word for “uniform” is 제복 (jebok).

Sample sentence

유니폼을 입은 선수들이 입장하고 있어요. (yunipomeul ibeun seonsudeuri ipjanghago isseoyo)

Players in uniforms are entering.

Each different uniform has its own name. Thus, we have included a short list below from where you can find the name of the clothing you’re looking for.

Vocabulary for the different types of uniforms in Korean

All of the vocabulary below will be in Hangeul (Korean Alphabet) with romanized Korean next to it. We recommend learning the Korean alphabet so you can learn these terms faster and have accurate pronunciation.

Being able to read the Korean alphabet will help you retain the core Korean words you should learn first. It will also improve your overall Korean language learning plan.

But if you’re already well-equipped in Korean, let’s head on to the vocabulary!

English	Korean
Uniform	제복 (jebok)
Uniform	유니폼 (yunipom)
Military uniform	군복 (gunbok)
Taekwondo uniform	도복 (bobok)
Police uniform	경찰복 (gyeongchalbok)
Nurse's uniform	간호사복 (ganhosabok)
School uniform	교복 (gyobok)
Dress uniform	예복 (yebok)
Prison uniform	죄수복 (joesubok)
Maid's uniform	하녀복 (hanyeobok)
Sports uniform	스포츠 유니폼 (seupocheu yunipom)
Work uniform	작업용 유니폼 (jageobyong yunipom)
Work uniform	작업복 (jageopbok)
Work uniform	직장 유니폼 (jikjang yunipom)
Change uniform for work	근무복을 갈아입다 (geunmubogeul garaipda)

These words are specifically about uniforms, but if you’d like to learn more about what clothes are called in Korean, you can find out more about it in this article: Clothes in Korean

What does a typical Korean uniform look like?

Now, what can you expect the typical Korean school uniform to look like? Let’s go through each of the categories below.

Korean school uniforms based on the seasons

Firstly, there are two types of uniforms worn in Korean schools— summer and winter uniforms. There is one uniform worn during the warmer seasons and then a winter uniform for winter and other colder seasons. It is usually announced ahead of time which uniform should be worn and when.

Summer uniforms

The summer uniforms are, of course, lighter and made of thin fabric. A summer uniform is only worn during the summer period, which is thought to take place between May and September. The shirts are short-sleeved, and the skirts are made of thinner fabric.

Winter uniforms

Meanwhile, the winter uniforms feature long-sleeved shirts, while the skirts and pants are made of thick fabric. Winter is considered to take place between November and March. There is also a jacket and a vest included in the uniform. However, jackets aren’t worn during fall or spring.

To learn more about the different seasons in Korea, you can read our separate article: Seasons in Korean.

Korean school uniforms based on gender

Korean school uniforms worn by boys and girls have different designs.

Typically, female students will wear skirts, but they do have the option of wearing pants, as well.

Male students wear pants, and their school uniforms look quite similar to how an office worker may dress for a day of work. A tie is also a common uniform attire.

Korean school uniforms based on the school

Each school has its own color scheme and unique style in their uniforms. The school’s region, level, and status are also an important part of shaping the way the uniform looks. This means, in many cases, you will be able to determine the high schools students attend based on the uniform they wear.

School uniforms are typically worn from middle school to high school. There are some exceptions where elementary school students will also wear a uniform. For example, it is expected in some private institutions.

What is the history of a Korean school uniform like?

It comes as no surprise that the earliest versions of Korean school uniforms were shaped after hanboks. However, already in the first half of the 1900s, the uniforms became more Westernized and, ultimately, what we’re accustomed to seeing now.

Where can you buy/rent a Korean uniform?

Although each school has its unique uniform, students typically buy them themselves. They can be found in department stores but are common to order online nowadays. Before, most Koreans would stitch the uniforms together by themselves.

Uniforms are quite expensive, so it is not uncommon for a Korean student to take good care of their uniform so that they can wear the same one through middle school and high school.

What if you want to rent one for yourself for the day? One example of a shop that rents out school uniforms is Ehwa School Uniform. Located in Seoul’s Jamsil neighborhood, it’s a popular place to go when someone wants to dress up for a day in Lotte World, for example.

It’s actually quite an affordable way to add some extra fun to your day! This particular shop mostly carries modern uniforms, similar to the ones you might see in K-dramas these days. But if you’d like to try on uniforms that are more retro, many other rental shops carry those, too.

Korean uniform in popular culture

Much more so than in many other cultures, school uniforms are popular features in popular culture as well. For example, many Korean dramas take place in a high school setting. That, naturally, means they spend a lot of the drama in high school uniforms!

These dramas are typically directed towards teen audiences, but many older people watch them too and get nostalgic and excited over their school days again. Additionally, some Korean idols and K-pop groups wear school uniforms occasionally as well.

On these occasions, they usually wear the uniforms – either on stage or in a reality show – to appeal to a younger audience and get them more excited about wearing the uniform daily.

If you’d like to know more about other different outfits and fashion in Korea in general, here’s a separate article about that: Korean Fashion

Wrap Up

Is Korean uniforms, school uniforms, in particular, something that interests you? Let us know below in the comments!

Next, how about switching to a different topic and learning about something else that is big and popular in Korean culture: mukbang?

The post Korean Uniform – Vocabulary for school and work attires appeared first on 90 Day Korean.

Temple History

Seokjongsa Temple is located in the southeastern part of Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Namsan (635.5 m). Originally the land that Seokjongsa Temple now occupies was Jukjangsa Temple. Jukjangsa Temple was first established sometime between Unified Silla (668-935) to early Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Until the end of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Jukjangsa Temple was a popular temple. At the end of the Joseon Dynasty, and already with centuries of anti-Buddhist policies in place by successive Joseon governments and courts, the status of the temple (like all temples in Korea) had been severely weakened. So Reverend Jo Gyeongro of Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do arrived at the temple during late-Joseon and destroyed the temple completely. Parts of Jukjangsa Temple were then used to help construct other structures throughout the Chungju area. Additionally, and during Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45), Japanese authorities further raided the artifacts that still remained on the temple grounds. All that was left of the former temple, besides rubble, was a single five-story stone pagoda. And the land that Jukjangsa Temple formerly occupied became private property.

In 1985, the monk Geuma-hyeguk purchased 800 pyeong (2,645 m2) of land that had once been Jukjangsa Temple. The purchased of this land was the start of Seokjongsa Temple’s founding. Now, Seokjongsa Temple is 10,000 pyeong (33,058 m2) of land. In total, there are now 21 buildings that occupy this land.

Temple Layout

You’ll pass through a stately Iljumun Gate at the entry of the temple grounds. Eventually, you’ll arrive at the temple parking lot near the Temple Stay building. There are two trails that head north towards the upper courtyard at Seokjongsa Temple. The first of these two trails is closer to the Temple Stay building, while the other is closer to the Bowol-dang Hall. Whichever trail you take, they both lead past a semi-hidden pond with lotus flowers in bloom.

Beyond this pond, and framing the lower temple grounds, is the Cheoncheok-ru Pavilion. To the left of this pavilion is a modern five-story pagoda. And to the right of this entry pavilion is the Beomjong-gak Pavilion. Housed inside this bell pavilion are four of the traditional Buddhist percussion instrument. A particular highlight inside this bell pavilion is the blue dragon-faced Mokeo (Wooden Fish Drum). Back at the Cheoncheok-ru Pavilion, and before mounting the stone stairs, you’ll notice a pair of stone lions on either side of the stairs. The first story of the Cheoncheok-ru Pavilion acts as an entry to the main temple courtyard at Seokjongsa Temple, while the second acts as a lecture hall for dharma halls.

Stepping inside the main temple courtyard at Seokjongsa Temple, you’ll find numerous buildings lining the courtyard. However, there are really only two that visitors can explore at the temple, and they are to the north. But before visiting these two shrine halls, you’ll notice the Gamno-gak Pavilion (Sweet Dew Pavilion) in the centre of the temple courtyard. This sunken wooden pavilion has fresh, clear mountain water passing through it and can be quite a refreshing break on a hot day.

Mounting another long set of stone stairs, you’ll now be face-to-face with a large Daeung-jeon Hall. The Daeung-jeon Hall was built on the site of the former location of the main hall to Jukjangsa Temple. The exterior walls to the main hall are adorned with large panel paintings dedicated to the Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha) and vibrant dancheong colours. Stepping inside the main hall, you’ll find a wonderfully ornate interior with a beautiful triad of statues on the main altar. In the centre of this triad is Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). The weight of the large canopy above this triad is supported by large pillars adorned with swirling dragons. Rounding out the interior to the Daeung-jeon Hall is a Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural).

To the left rear of the Daeung-jeon Hall is the Samseong-gak Hall. The exterior walls to this hall are adorned with various murals that include a ferocious tiger, peaches, and red pine trees. Stepping inside this rather strangely organized interior, you’ll find two beautiful murals dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars) and Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit). Both paintings were created by the same artist. Of note is the rather startled-looking tiger in the painting of Sanshin. The third, and final, mural inside the Samseong-gak Hall can be accessed through a doorway inside the shaman shrine hall, where you’ll find a lone mural dedicated to Dokseong (The Lonely Saint). Again, this painting was created by the same artist as those who created the other two shaman murals. All three are a wonderful and masterful depictions of these three shaman deities.

Finally, and to the left of the Samseong-gak Hall and up a trail, you’ll find an outdoor shrine dedicated to Yaksayeorae-bul (The Medicine Buddha, and the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise).

How To Get There

From the Chungju Intercity Bus Terminal, you’ll need to take Bus #101, Bus #103, Bus #105, Bus 106, Bus #111, or Bus #112. You’ll need to get off at the “Samwon Elementary School stop.” From where the bus drops you off, you’ll need to walk about 300 metres, or 5 minutes, and make your way to the Muhak-sijang Market and the “Muhak-sijang bus stop.” From this stop, you’ll need to catch Bus #550. This bus doesn’t come often. You’ll then need to take this second bus for 13 stops, or 17 minutes, and get off at the “Seokjong stop.” From where the bus drops you off, you’ll need to walk about 700 metres, or 10 minutes, to get to Seokjongsa Temple.

And if public transportation isn’t your thing, you can simply take a taxi from the Chungju Intercity Bus Terminal. The taxi ride will be 8.1 km, or 20 minutes, and it’ll cost you about 8,000 won (one way).

Overall Rating: 7/10

While Seokjongsa Temple is quite large in size, it’s only filled with a handful of structures and shrine halls that visitors can explore. With that being said, the Gamno-gak Pavilion is a beautiful stand-out, as is the interior of the Daeung-jeon Hall and the artwork that fills the Samseong-gak Hall. Seokjongsa Temple is beautifully situated to the south of Mt. Namsan; and as a total package, it’s quite a beautiful visit.

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by Jason Teale, Host of the Sajin Photography Podcast

Introduction

Hello, fellow photography enthusiasts, and welcome to another captivating post on the Sajin Photography blog. Today, I’m thrilled to delve into a topic that holds a special place in my heart – the evolution and empowerment of photography communities right here in Korea.

Setting the Scene

Over the years, these communities have undergone a remarkable transformation. What once served as vibrant hubs for insightful conversations have, to some extent, transitioned into platforms predominantly utilized for seeking answers and promoting events. In this post, we’ll explore strategies to reignite the spark of camaraderie within these communities.

Cultivating a Healthy Community

The essence of revitalizing these communities lies in nurturing a thriving ecosystem, rather than merely accumulating followers. I’ve observed a trend where new groups emerge, attempting to attract members by diverting them from existing communities. Let me share an intriguing incident – a group of photographers joined the Lightstalkers community I co-manage, but their perception shifted when they discovered we organized complimentary photowalks.

The Tale of Lightstalkers Photowalks

I extended an olive branch, proposing a collaborative effort where they could utilize Lightstalkers to plan their paid photowalks. This proposition aimed at harnessing our already-established member base. Surprisingly, their response wasn’t one of unity, but instead, they accused us of hidden agendas and departed, leaving negativity in their wake. Their intent seemed far from community-building, leaning more towards exploitation.

Spotting Self-Centered Patterns

This pattern isn’t isolated. We’ve encountered individuals within these groups who ardently voice opinions yet hesitate to take constructive action. In my personal photography group for Ulsan and Daegu, there were voices demanding more events in Daegu. However, these demands were accompanied by silence when it came to organizing such events. This disparity left Daegu members with limited opportunities, despite the vocal concern for more events.

Transitioning Towards Positivity

Let’s pivot from negativity to a positive transformation. How can we genuinely uplift these communities? It begins with a fundamental principle – assisting one another.

Contributing and Letting Go of Ego

Our tendencies often lead us to voice grievances without engaging in proactive actions. The responsibility of organization shouldn’t fall solely on one individual. This challenge becomes even more formidable considering the full-time commitments and familial responsibilities many foreigners juggle. Equally important is shedding our egos and purging toxic attitudes. Even I grapple with this – negativity can be alluring. Remember, fewer clashes of ego can only nurture the community.

The Hazard of Toxic Mindsets

Photography groups can suffer severely due to toxic attitudes and a lack of participation. The fear of criticism prevents new members or photographers from sharing their work, especially if they’ve witnessed derisive comments on others’ photos. To foster an environment of growth, we must champion one another and create a space that encourages creative expression.

Support and Encouragement as the Backbone

At the core, my emphasis rests on the bedrock of support – the very foundation upon which robust communities are constructed.

Sharing and Collaborating for Growth

Recent experiences have humbled me. Friends and colleagues have come to my aid in remarkable ways. Consider the case of my interview with Phillip Brett, who created an astonishing video showcasing my documentation of Ulsan. Phillip’s gesture of support and focus on community members actively contributing is a testament to the change we need.

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The Bottomline

In closing, dear readers, I’ve shared my insights, my two cents. As we embrace the upcoming fall season, I encourage you to stay inspired. Until we reconvene, keep capturing those breathtaking moments through your lens and continue to preserve the beauty that we see everyday living here in Korea.

The post Building and Enhancing Photography Communities in Korea: A Journey of Support and Growth appeared first on The Sajin.