kangmi: learning korean

The Unforgiven

I don’t know the Korean title, but I have a chance to see Yoon Jong-Bin’s “The Unforgiven” Monday night. As a movie, is it worth my time?

Posted by kangmi on September 28, 2006 at 7:51 PM0 comments

Korean keyboard labels

Yesterday I received a new set of Korean keyboard labels for a new computer keyboard.

This is my third or fourth set of labels (used on various computers). I’ve found that I prefer black keyboard labels with white type. No keyboard label I’ve used has been infinitely durable, but the laminated labels with a matte finish don’t curl up at the edges with age. They might fall off eventually, or the white type might rub off, but their appearance remains tidy.

Some keyboard label sets run US$12 or more; I typically spend less than US$5 (shipping inclusive) on eBay. For the latest transaction, I used the seller known as maniasclub.

Posted by kangmi on September 27, 2006 at 5:13 AM0 comments

New Hangul Romanization System Proposed

From Ryu Jin of the Korea Times:

Calls for a revision of the current Romanization system for the Korean alphabet, Hangul, are gaining more ground as confusion continues on the roads, signboards and government documents after the introduction of the current form in July 2000.

The language used by Kim Bok-moon, professor emeritus of Chungbuk National University suggests that there is a dire need for reform:

“Disasters that many critics expected have already begun. We can easily find serious confusion here and there,’’ Kim told The Korea Times. “We have to correct the mistake without delay before it is too late, and adopt a proper system.’’

I’m not certain that yet another romanization system will avert further disaster, but this I know: There will never be a perfect system. Pick a good one and stick with it. People will still complain, but they won’t be confused.

Posted by kangmi on September 26, 2006 at 11:56 AM3 comments

WordLearner

WordLearner, an online vocabulary learning system, recently launched their website. One year of platinum membership is free if you sign up before October 31. They claim that words can be stored in almost any language.

I may give it a whirl and see how it works. If you do so first, drop a line in the comments.

Via Effortless Language Acquisition.

Posted by kangmi on September 25, 2006 at 11:30 AM0 comments

Vocabulary downloads

Both vocabulary downloads are now available on the sidebar. The frequency list is available in either Excel or .txt formats (zipped); the basic list is available only in Excel.

Posted by kangmi on September 24, 2006 at 6:03 PM0 comments

Once upon a time in Seoul

On a cool October day almost fourteen years ago, the first Mr. kangmi and I had wedding photos taken at 창경궁.

I offer here (with the first Mr. kangmi’s permission) some of the photos from the shoot. Click on any image for a larger version. Any captions are above the photos.

I don’t remember why I (he hadn’t been living in Seoul long, so it became my choice) chose 창경궁.

Posted by kangmi on September 23, 2006 at 6:27 AM0 comments