Hyeonyoung 현영

Today we continued the discussion on the historical events in South Korea in late 1940s. In the beginning we had also an interesting short digression on our favourite Korean drama, My Liberation Notes. So glad that we share the same favourite!! Thanks a lot for the wonderful lesson.

Today we had a good discussion on the 4.3 incident in Jeju (based on a pamphlet sseam suggested) and compared that with similar incidents in East Asia. Sseam was engaging and patient as always and the whole hour passed by so quickly. Look forward to our next meeting!

Today we had a great conversation about the developmental issues in Jeju, based on a periodical article that sseam suggested last time. The article gave a very good overview on the contemporary history of this special island in Korea. I was so glad that sseam helped me to engage in a rather technical discussion about political economy and society. Look forward to more conversation!!

Today we had a great discussion again! First on the lunar new year traditions in Korea v Hong Kong, and then we went back to the historical tragedy in Yeosu, Suncheon in late 1940s. Not enough time indeed so we focused on the sentences in the reading that I found difficult and then further discussion for next lesson. Thank you so much!

Today we had a wonderful discussion about the "single" (widowed) grandmothers on Jeju Island. In the process sseam also taught me a lot about the Jeju dialect so that I now have a better idea about its grammar and structure. Indeed I am amazed by how much sseam has prepared based on the questions I raised when I went through the suggested article before class. Sseam is always so friendly and helpful and conscious to check if she is giving the right kind of help I need. Every class with sseam is so enjoyable! Thanks a lot!

Today we had a very fruitful discussion on the family culture and gender equality in South Korea and East Asia more generally, based on a journal article written in Korean that seongsangnim suggested to me. It was not an easy read with more long sentences written in academic style, but seongsangnim helped me a lot by analyzing and simplifying the more difficult sentences. Seongsangnim is always so friendly, polite, and encouraging. She types the more important sentences (especially those uttered by me) from class and sends me afterwards for reference and revision. Since seongsangnim grows up and lives in Jeju (but definitely speaks in very standard Seoul accent), she is quite unique in being able to offer the perspective from this special and beautiful island - the history, society and politics. Highly recommended especially if you are looking for someone who can teach you Korean beyond the everyday topics. Thank you! ^^