Hi all! Sometimes the best way of overcoming a standstill / bottleneck/ slump in language learning is to remind yourself why you love the language and why you started learning in the first place! ^^ Here’s a 21 question tag that I came up with randomly while eating lunch. Here’s my answers!
1. Why Korean?
I happened to be watching a Korean drama (궁) when I first had the thought of picking up a foreign language.
2 . Daum or Naver (dictionary I mean)?
Daum! oops.. yeah I switched.
3. First website that you visit everyday?
After Hangukdrama you mean? ㅋㅋ Dramabeans
4. Best thing that happened to you? (related to learning Korean)
Being able to actually go to Korea and meeting so many new friends there!
5. Ever regretted learning Korean?
NEVER. I only regretted not learning it earlier!
6. Most common feedback/question you get when you say you are learning Korean?
So .. can you watched Korean dramas unsubbed? (I get this everytime)
ahh.. kpop crazy eh?
7. First Korean food that comes to your mind?
천원김밥 1,000won kimbab in the convenience stores
8. Most overrated Korean drama?
Full House
9. Most underrated Korean drama?
TEN
10.Latest milestone in learning Korean?
Finishing a Korean novel
11. Favorite Korean word / phrase?
꺼져. (get lost)
12. Name 3 people (fictional / real) who motivate / influence your Korean learning journey
King Sejong (he’s my idol lol), Hyunwoo Sun and Equinox
King Sejong – One of my favorite things to do in Seoul is to sit in front of his monument at Gwanghwamun at night. Seeing the monument in real life is incredibly amazing (for me at least) 설레임 ❤
Hyunwoo Sun – he’s amazing as a language teacher and incredibly inspirational as a fellow language learner. His passion for languages is infectious ^^
Equinox – one of the first k-blogs that I read (around 2008). At that time I couldn’t imagine that I’ll ever have the chance to go to Korea, so I found the posts to be really amazing, informative and incredibly inspirational. Learned a lot about Korea from the blog and it made me motivated to study more to reach Equinox’s standard. Happy to have met the blogger in person a few years ago!
13. Secret ambition / goal (relating to Korean)
Interpret for Kang Dong Won ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ or somehow being able to work with him!
14. I want to sound like _____ when I speak Korean
Han Ye Seul / Im Soo Jung
15. Best compliment received (for Korean)
Oh.. so you aren’t actually Korean?!
16. When is the last time you sat down and study Korean?
A …. few weeks ago? ㅋㅋㅋ
17. Favorite textbook?
Yonsei Level 6. It has special meaning to me because it’s the textbook that I used for my first Korean lessons in Korea
18. Special people you met (online or otherwise) through Korean?
my best friends ❤ Happy that they share similar interests with me and accept my (sometimes bordering ridiculous) obsession with Korea/Korean
Online – all of you?
Special mentions go to Jeannie, Archana, Gillian, Amber ^^
19. How has learning Korean changed you / your life?
Definitely changed for the better. Learned to become less judgmental cos I experienced first hand how shitty it is to be judged ><
All my electronic devices are set to the Korean language
Changed my homepage from Google to Google Korea
Swear in Korean
20. Ever dreamt in Korean?
Yes. I’m more fluent in my dreams lol
21. Single best thing about learning Korean?
The joy of reading/listening/writing/speaking in a foreign language ❤
————-
hehe now it’s your turn!! 😀 Feel free to do the tag on your blog (a comment with your blog link will be appreciated – and so that I can read your posts too!) and tag other fellow k-learners!! If you do not have a blog, feel free to copy and paste the questions in the comment section, complete it and post it as a comment!
Not sure if it’s a fun tag or not, but hopefully it got you to reflect a little on your learning journey and find some motivation to continue loving Korean! ❤
33 Comments
Archana
20 May, 2013 at 9:19 AM*kisses for the special mention*
Plus high-five for the Daum switch ;D
Your passion for Korean shines through in all of your answers! Love it!
Archana
20 May, 2013 at 12:32 PMHere’s mine: http://panjjakpanjjak.wordpress.com/2013/05/19/21-questions/
hangukdrama
22 May, 2013 at 2:32 PMyes!! I’m totally converted to Daum ><;;
amyhangukolic
20 May, 2013 at 10:11 AMDone! ^^
http://amyhangukolic.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/21-question-tag/
Daum is better than Naver? *curious*
Thanks for your interesting post!
hangukdrama
22 May, 2013 at 2:32 PMHope you enjoy doing it!
mmm I would say that Daum Kor-Kor dictionary is sometimes better than Naver! ^^
Carl
20 May, 2013 at 11:12 AMThis was cool. I really liked this. As always, keep up the great work.
hangukdrama
22 May, 2013 at 2:33 PMThanks for reading!
Karla
20 May, 2013 at 12:33 PMHere’s my respond
http://noshortcutstokorean.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/21-question-tag-the-korean-learner-version/
Have a great day Shanna!
hangukdrama
22 May, 2013 at 2:33 PMenjoyed reading your response ^^
orbiter
20 May, 2013 at 4:18 PMWill not bombard your comments page by answering all the questions, so here are my answers to a selected few:
1. Why Korean?
Mom grew up in Seoul. Half my family’s Korean. I’m 0% Korean though. (It’s complicated.) Was always curious about the language, but the real trigger was answer to #12 below.
2. Daum or Naver (dictionary I mean)?
Naver… (Why Daum? Why why? So curious. Hrm. Looks like I’ll be jumping boats soon. Heh.)
6. Most common feedback/question you get when you say you are learning Korean?
안녕하세요?
9. Most underrated Korean drama?
연애시대.
11. Favorite Korean word / phrase?
Used to be 뿅. Cos it sounds cute, looks cute (it is perfectly symmetrical! Come on, what else can be cuter!) It is the perfect way to end a phone conversation, instead of the usual “끊어!” or “들어가세요!” (As my mom used to say: 전화를 끊고 들어가?? 어디로???)
But recently I’ve fallen for the word “나름”. There really isn’t an English/Chinese/Japanese equivalent. So much philosophy in such a simple word. It reminds us that life is really about living according to our standards and our way, and to stop following or comparing ourselves to others… 나름대로 열심히 하면 된다… 모두 당신 하기 나름이다. 🙂
12. Name 3 people (fictional / real) who motivate / influence your Korean learning journey
I’ll name just one – 임재범. The sole reason I started learning Korean, honestly, was my desperate desire to understand the lyrics to this song (http://youtu.be/RlMalwlP9u8). Yes, believe it or not, this song drove me to learn Korean… right from the ㄱㄴㄷㅅㄹ… just so that one day I will be good enough to understand the lyrics. Cra-zy. 그 목소리의 매력인가? 어쨌든, 가사가 진짜 훌륭하다. The song talks about the singer during his days of depression, and how he struggled to defeat it. 🙂
15. Best compliment received (for Korean)
Me: 난 한국 사람 아니에요.
Korean person: …아예…? (i.e. “not even a little bit?” That simple reply of disbelief meant so much to me haha)
It was also really flattering that after 3 months of teaching me a Korean teacher said: “교포 아니야??? 틀림없이 교포인 줄알았어…발음이 어떻게 그렇게 고친 데 없니?” 와. 뿌듯뿌듯^^
16. When is the last time you sat down and studied Korean?
…반성…하고 있습니다…
17. Favorite textbook?
장난하냐?
That’s it from me. 뿅!
Lauren
21 May, 2013 at 5:12 AMThere is a japanese equivalent
hangukdrama
22 May, 2013 at 2:37 PMㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Never realized that 뿅 is perfectly symmetrical. hahaha pretty cool, I love this word too!! 😀
I think it’s really cool that a single song can be your motivation to learn a new language! Thanks for sharing. To be honest, I haven’t heard this song before, but now I’m putting it on repeat!
x-wing
20 May, 2013 at 9:16 PM1. Why Korean?
I was frustrated in finding eng sub variety shows
2 . Daum or Naver (dictionary I mean)?
Naver
3. First website that you visit everyday?
allkpop
4. Best thing that happened to you? (related to learning Korean)
Being able to travel there alone and made friends who have the same interest.
5. Ever regretted learning Korean?
Not even once.
6. Most common feedback/question you get when you say you are learning Korean?
drama siao? speak a few sentences leh.
some even said 안녕하세요 감사합니다 and asked is that right?
7. First Korean food that comes to your mind?
삼겹살
8. Most overrated Korean drama?
Can’t think of any at the moment
9. Most underrated Korean drama?
Bad Love
10.Latest milestone in learning Korean?
Finished Yonsei 3
11. Favorite Korean word / phrase?
고마워요. To everyone who helps me in my learning journey
12. Name 3 people (fictional / real) who motivate / influence your Korean learning journey
Equinox, Ong Wann 쌤, Shanna
13. Secret ambition / goal (relating to Korean)
To be able to converse fluently
14. I want to sound like _____ when I speak Korean
Korean
15. Best compliment received (for Korean)
I would say I received encouragement
16. When is the last time you sat down and study Korean?
Yesterday
17. Favorite textbook?
Yonsei Level 2. I used it when I was in Yonsei
18. Special people you met (online or otherwise) through Korean?
Hope to meet someone really special soon
19. How has learning Korean changed you / your life?
To meet strangers or someone whom I only know through internet. I will never do that in the past.
20. Ever dreamt in Korean?
No.
21. Single best thing about learning Korean?
To be able to relate what I see and use all that I have learned in Korea
Do not have a blog and thanks Shanna. This is something interesting ^^
hangukdrama
22 May, 2013 at 2:39 PMhehe! Personally I hate it when people ask me to speak a few sentences in Korean ><;; particularly those who have no interest / not learning the language. Find it really awkward.
Ashe
28 February, 2019 at 10:09 AMSame!!!
I just sort of stand there and avoid eye contact…
And then change the subject, because it gets really awkward.
Samier
20 May, 2013 at 11:10 PMThis was so much fun!
PS. I loved 궁 so so so much haha~
http://gamcho.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/21-question-tag-the-korean-learner-version/
hangukdrama
22 May, 2013 at 2:39 PMit’s totally a k-drama classic!!!
Ami
21 May, 2013 at 1:19 AMI also think that TEN is just awsome, it is thrilling when you don’t know what to expect ^^
hangukdrama
22 May, 2013 at 2:42 PMare you watching season 2 too? ^^
Van
22 May, 2013 at 11:58 AMLet’s hope this goes through 샤나 *crossing my fingers*
1. Why Korean?
I watched Boys before flowers (꽃보다 남자)and I started to become interested in Korean. But I think it was more when I wanted a Korean penpal and found Interpals, that I wanted to pursue Korean a lot more.
2 . Daum or Naver (dictionary I mean)?
Naver, I don’t know much about daum because is the english to Korean/Korean to english good?
3. First website that you visit everyday?
It usually between Interpals, Hangukdrama or Youtube
4. Best thing that happened to you? (related to learning Korean)
That I met two close Korean friends from Interpals and met 2 nice friends from there also. Because I actually never had close friend in real life besides my girlfriend
5. Ever regretted learning Korean?
Same as you, I wish I learned it earlier! But never regretted!
6. Most common feedback/question you get when you say you are learning Korean?
From Koreans: Wow your Korean is so good
From everyone else: Why are you learning Korean?
7. First Korean food that comes to your mind?
불고기
8. Most overrated Korean drama?
Boys before flowers (Probably get a lot of hate lol)
9. Most underrated Korean drama?
Wonderful Life (원더풀 라이프)
10.Latest milestone in learning Korean?
Being able to speak a decent conversation with my Korean friends
11. Favorite Korean word / phrase?
자랑하다 (to brag, to boast) or 전라 (naked ㅋㅋㅋ, a joke with 전라도 (you probably know it 샤나 ㅎㅎ)
12. Name 3 people (fictional / real) who motivate / influence your Korean learning journey
Hyunwoo Sun – because he is such a cool person from teaching us Korean, to break dancing, to being a hyperglot, and being very inspirational! He shows us that language learning can be very fun and something that is very enjoyable (I can’t remember exactly what I wrote before but you gt the gist haha)
Shanna Tan (hopefully that is your last name) – you are very cool for sharing your whole journey with us and sharing your passion with language learning especially Korean and Japanese! Your tips are always helpful. I love how you reply to everyone’s comments and questions. I feel like you always put the time to give a thoughtful response also, I always appreciate your responses when I ask a question 😀 I’m glad you are not too famous to help us 😛
Eatyourkimchi – because I feel like they give their insight on being a foreigner in Korea. Which I really hope I can visit one day. I like how they make their videos funny and enjoyable, and they show what they think Korea is like. I also enjoy their humor and like their passion for Korea.
13. Secret ambition / goal (relating to Korean)
I don’t know if this is directly related to Korean, but I wanted to open a coffee shop in Korea like from the show Friends’ Central Perk, they have one in Beijing, China!! And I want to have Friends episodes so people can enjoy and I wanted to help teach them American slang, humor, and culture. Also to teach them English! It’s a farfetched dream but maybe I can accomplish it.
14. I want to sound like _____ when I speak Korean
I don’t know? Hmmm 유재석 (Yoo Jae Suk) I’m not really sure lol
15. Best compliment received (for Korean)
Wow you are the first foreigner that I met that can understand Korean very well!
16. When is the last time you sat down and study Korean?
Yesterday ㅋㅋ
17. Favorite textbook?
I don’t really study with textbooks, I just use many online resources especially TTMIK! But I don’t know if you remember 샤나 but you recommend to me a book called “Intermediate College Korean” But I didn’t have money for it but I happened to find an online version of the textbook! It was pretty nice (www.language.berkeley.edu/korean/10/index.htm)
18. Special people you met (online or otherwise) through Korean?
My close Korean penpals, I’m very glad to have met you two! I know I’m very lucky to find genuinely nice people on the internet. I hope I will be able to speak to you in Korean more ㅋㅋ and meet one day in the near future!
샤나, 저는 우리가 더 말해야 하는 것 같아요!
19. How has learning Korean changed you / your life?
Definitely made me truly see what my passion and what I want to do in the future. Also helped me make close friends that I never had in real life. Also opened my eyes to language learning and make foreign friends!
20. Ever dreamt in Korean?
Yes, but I often epic fail in Korean so I’m pretty sad..
21. Single best thing about learning Korean?
The feeling I know that I can communicate with 50 million people around the world one day. Also learning to enjoying the grammar and process of language learning!
hangukdrama
22 May, 2013 at 2:46 PMhehe sorry that you had to type it out again ><;;; I only use the Kor-Kor Daum dictionary and I find that really good, especially when searching for proverbs! ^^ Not too sure about the Kor-Eng dictionary, I still stick with Naver for that one! WONDERFUL LIFE!!! Kinda forgot about the drama but yeahhh it's one of my favorite! Watched it 5 years ago and I cried sooo much. haha thanks for mentioning me! ^^ I appreciate every single comment and the time and effort it takes to write them, so I believe that I should also make the effort to reply (: and it's fun too! ㅋㅋ 항상 블로그를 읽어주셔서 감사합니다!
Van
23 May, 2013 at 12:06 PM괜찮아요! ㅎㅎ I’m glad you read my comments and posts~
Okay i will keep that in mind for the future!
OMG yes i cried towards the end.. but it was such a good drama!
You’re welcome 🙂 I hope this blog will stay around for a long time ^^
gillian
22 May, 2013 at 1:47 PMWoot woot I got a special mention! Hahaha. I laughed so hard at your 설레임 (하트) for King Sejong okay I’ve never seen anybody so in love with a historical character before!! ♥ I shall steal this and do it on my blog heh heh. AND!!! Meet up soon! Outside of school!
hangukdrama
22 May, 2013 at 2:46 PMhahahaha go do!! then I’ll stalk your blog hahaha. yes yes yes meet up soon! 😀 😀 somewhere in town!!
Ana
23 May, 2013 at 1:14 AMHere’s mine: http://analeelaw.blogspot.com/2013/05/10-question-tag.html
I condensed my responses to 10 of the 21 questions since I’m just getting (re)started in studying Korean!
hangukdrama
23 May, 2013 at 10:07 AMthanks for the comment Ana! enjoyed reading your post 😀
Regan
23 May, 2013 at 2:17 AM13. Secret/ambition goal (related to Korean)
To be a simultaneous translator (unfornutately it will never happen)
14. I want to sound like ___ when I speak Korean.
IU
I’m not a fan of her music, but for some reason I really like her speaking voice.
15. Best compliment received (for Korean)
Shanna once complimented my Korean notebook handwriting! 🙂
prashanth
23 May, 2013 at 2:33 PMafter 3 days of drafting it, finally I finished it! Here, Shanna! I hope you and others will read it completely and comment! Thanks!
http://prashlearnskorean.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/21-questions-tag/
Kat
23 May, 2013 at 5:01 PMHi, Shanna! I posted mine here: http://pihaenggi.tumblr.com/post/51137801993/21-questions
I think this is a great idea for reflecting on one’s language journey–it was very interesting trying to come up with answers for the questions!
Kay
27 May, 2013 at 6:20 PMWas very impatiently waiting for my appointment time so I answered them all in one go AND honestly. lol here it is http://mykoreannotebook.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/21-question-tag-korean-learner/ 🙂 passed my time and it was a really good idea!!
Thanks 🙂
Sterling
3 June, 2013 at 10:13 AMHello,
I really enjoyed reading your and everyone’s responses. Here is mine. . .
http://sterlingisme.wordpress.com/2013/05/30/21-question-tag-the-korean-learner-version/
I posted this comment a few days ago, but it never showed up… So if it comes through twice.. Sorry about that.
Mi Ra
7 December, 2014 at 5:16 PMHi Shanna,
Found this last night and was super excited to take part 🙂 maybe a tad bit too! Thanks for being an inspiration 🙂
P.S: I met Kang Dong Won last month at the London Korean Film Festival screening of his new movie Kundo. He was super charming and handsome 🙂
http://giirlmeetsworld.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/21-question-tag-korean-learner-version.html
Stella
3 September, 2017 at 5:15 AMHi, Shanna
here’s mine, I’m a little late, but oh well.
https://sllpblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/02/21-question-tag-the-korean-learner-version/
Thanks a lot for making this tag, I enjoyed it a lot, and I’ll definitely have to check out some of the dramas everyone else mentioned!