by Editor Dodo🦤

As you wander through Seochon’s narrow, winding alleys, you’ll notice the serene hanok houses, which are representative of Korea’s traditional residential architecture. These alleyways, beloved by past artists and writers, once provided creative inspiration to many, and even today, a number of contemporary artists have their studios here. 🎨

For literature lovers, one particularly important spot in Seochon is Yi Sang’s House. Yi Sang was a pioneering poet and novelist in the 1930s, whose unique literary vision left a lasting impact on modern Korean literature. The house where Yi Sang once lived is now a literary museum dedicated to his legacy. The museum offers a glimpse into his life and creative process, with exhibits that help visitors understand his profound literary world.✍️ More than just a place marking the footsteps of a writer, Yi Sang’s House symbolizes Seochon’s role as a source of literary inspiration. The quiet and calm atmosphere of Seochon once nurtured artistic expression, and Yi Sang’s House serves as a testament to this creative spirit.🏠

눈치 [Nunchi]

Hello everyone! 😊

In this newsletter, I’d like to introduce you to a unique Korean word that captures an essential aspect of Korean culture: ‘눈치 (nunchi)’. If you’ve spent any time in Korea or talked with Korean friends, you might have heard this before. It doesn’t have a direct translation in English, so it can be a bit tricky to understand at first. However, in Korea, it plays a very important role in daily interactions. So, let’s break down what ‘nunchi’ really means and why it’s so important! 🤔

What is ‘Nunchi’?

In a nutshell, nunchi is the ability to read the room or pick up on someone’s feelings without them having to say it. It’s all about noticing subtle cues like facial expressions, tone of voice, or the overall atmosphere. 🤭 For example, if a friend says they’re fine, but their body language suggests otherwise, realizing that something is wrong without them saying it directly—that’s nunchi.

The key point here is that nunchi isn’t just about what you see. It’s more about sensing the overall atmosphere and understanding the unspoken dynamics. Someone with good nunchi can pick up on these subtle signals and adjust how they act accordingly. 👀

Common Ways to Use ‘Nunchi’📝

Nunchi comes up in all kinds of situations, making it a key part of social life in Korea. Here are a few common phrases related to nunchi:

• ‘눈치가 빠르다 (having quick nunchi)’: This is used to describe someone who is quick to pick up on other people’s emotions or the overall mood. Let’s say you’re in a meeting and you notice your boss’s expression change slightly, indicating they’re not happy, and you adjust your behavior right away, people would say you have quick nunchi.
• ‘눈치가 없다 (lacking nunchi)’: On the other hand, this describes someone who is oblivious to the emotions or atmosphere around them. If everyone else is being cautious or careful in a situation, but one person remains completely unaware and acts out of place, they might be called "nunchi-less." For example, if friends are tired and subtly hinting at wrapping up the night, but one person keeps pushing for more plans, people might say, "They don’t have nunchi."
• ‘눈치를 보다 (watching nunchi)’: This phrase is frequently used as well. It means observing someone’s reactions or the mood of the situation before acting or speaking. For instance, when speaking to your boss, you might carefully choose your words and watch their reactions to gauge whether it’s okay to continue or if you should change the subject.

Why is ‘Nunchi’ Important in Korean Culture? 🫡

In Korea, nunchi is seen as a crucial social skill. Koreans often prefer indirect communication, where feelings or thoughts might be implied rather than stated outright. This means that being able to "read between the lines" and pick up on non-verbal cues is crucial. Without nunchi, conversations or relationships can become awkward, as there’s a strong emphasis on being mindful of how others feel.

For example, if you’re at a dinner and everyone is eating slowly, but you finish your meal quickly, or if your boss is hinting that they want to say something during a meeting but you keep talking without noticing, it can create uncomfortable situations. In these cases, having nunchi is seen as an important social skill.

Is Nunchi Important for Foreigners Too?

If you’re living in Korea or interacting with Koreans, understanding and using nunchi can definitely help you build better relationships. While not every Korean expects you to master nunchi right away, being aware of the emotions or atmosphere in a situation is often appreciated. It shows that you’re considerate of others, which can go a long way in Korean society.

That’s all for this newsletter! I’ll be back with more fun and useful Korean words next time. 😊

서촌의 좁고 구불구불한 골목길을 걷다 보면, 고즈넉한 한옥들이 눈에 띄는데, 이들은 한국의 전통 주거 형태를 대표하는 건축물로 볼 수 있어요! 옛 예술가와 문인들이 사랑한 서촌의 골목길은 그들에게 창작의 영감을 주었던 공간이었으며, 오늘날에도 많은 현대 예술가들이 이곳에 작업실을 두고 활동하고 있죠.🎨

서촌에는 특히 문학을 사랑하는 사람들에게 중요한 장소인 ’이상의 집‘이 있어요. 이상은 1930년대 한국 문단을 대표하는 시인이자 소설가로, 그의 독창적인 문학 세계는 한국 현대문학에 큰 영향을 끼친 사람이에요. 서촌에 위치한 이상의 집은 그가 실제로 거주했던 공간으로, 현재는 그의 문학적 유산을 기리는 문학관으로 운영되고 있어요. 이곳에는 당시 이상의 생활과 창작 활동을 엿볼 수 있는 전시물들이 마련되어 있어, 그의 문학적 세계를 더 깊이 이해할 수 있게 해줘요.✍️ 이상의 집은 단순히 작가의 흔적을 남긴 장소가 아니라, 서촌이라는 공간이 문학적 영감을 제공했던 장소라는 점에서 그 의미가 커요. 서촌의 조용하고 고요한 분위기는 그 시절 예술가들이 창작 활동을 펼쳤던 배경이 되었고, 이상의 집은 이를 상징적으로 보여주는 공간으로 볼 수 있죠.🏠

눈치 [Nunchi]