1. Your second interpretation is closer to its meaning, but "that's why" sounds a little off for this context. 그래서 is short for 그리 해서 (그렇게 해서), which means "because of that", "for that reason", or simply "so" or "thus". It can be "that's why" too, but here I think a simple "so" fits the best. "that's why" matches 그래서 when it's used as a predicate. - 내가 나름대로 내 생애 첫 번쩨 그림을 그려 본 것은 그래서였다: That's why I tried drawing ... 그려 보다 is similar to "try and draw". Adding 보다(see) softens the verb, like "(do that) and see (what happens)". For example, 먹다 is simply "eat", but 먹어 보다 is like "give it a try/tasting". 2. The original meaning of 틈 is gap or crack (문틈 = door crack, 들어갈 틈 = room to squeeze into). 틈 also means an opening or tight space, etc. 틈에서 means "among (other people)", so 어른들 틈에서 is "in the midst of the adults". 살아오다 = have been living. 3. 가까이 means "close by". 가까이서 is "from close by" or "situated close by". 서 is often attached to other particles in different uses. It adds the sense of "from there" or "originating there". For example, 서울에 means "to or in Seoul" while 서울에서 is either "in Seoul" or "from Seoul". 가까이서 보다 therefore suggests someone looks at something while already standing close to it. Think of it as 가까이 있다 and 보다 combined into one. 4. 그렇다고 means "even so" or "and yet" as you say. 그렇다고 해서 is an emphasized version of it. We might also say 그렇다고 해서 is the original expression and 그렇다고 is a contracted version. 그렇다고 해서 = 그러하다고 (인정)해서 = 그러하다고 인정한다 해도 = "even (if we take it as) so", " (even) granting that". 5. 진정어린 is 진정(sincerity) + 어리다 in adjective form (correct spelling is 진정 어린 with a space). 어리다(vi) here means that a feeling, sentiment, or atmosphere lingers around or stays on something. ex) 정성 어린 선물: a gift prepared with care and dedication, 슬픔 어린 눈: eyes showing sadness. So 진정 어린 이야기 is like a story (imbued) with sincerity and care". It is similar but more nuanced than 진정한, suggesting the story is told/written with heartfelt sincerity.