1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses the perspective of Korean entertainer Kim Heung-gook on his relationship with former President Yoon Seok-yeol. Kim expresses his disappointment and disillusionment with the political sphere, despite initially supporting Yoon’s campaign.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 원 히트 원더 | won hit wondeo | one-hit wonder | He is not a ‘one-hit wonder’, but has been living off the song ‘Butterfly’ for a lifetime. |
| 호랑나비 | horangnabi | tiger butterfly | He is not a ‘one-hit wonder’, but has been living off the song ‘Butterfly’ for a lifetime. |
| 어퍼컷 | eopeokkeot | uppercut | After Yoon Seok-yeol was elected president, there was a scene of them doing an uppercut ceremony together. |
| 보수 지지자 | bosu jijija | conservative supporter | Kim Heung-gook, a representative conservative supporter in the entertainment industry, said that he felt disillusioned with politics. |
| 환멸 | hwanmyeol | disillusionment | Kim said he felt disillusionment with the political sphere and cut ties with it. |
| 코미디 | komidi | comedy | Kim recalled the late Lee Joo-il’s saying that “politics is a comedy after trying it.” |
| 도와달라고 하면 도와줬다 | dowadallago hamyeon dowajyeossda | helped when asked for help | Kim said that many entertainers helped when politicians asked them for help. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
원 히트 원더는 아니지만 ‘호랑나비’ 한 곡으로 평생 우려먹는 가수 김흥국. 윤석열 대통령 당선 후 함께 어퍼컷 세리머니를 하는 장면.
He is not a ‘one-hit wonder’, but has been living off the song ‘Butterfly’ for a lifetime. After Yoon Seok-yeol was elected president, there was a scene of them doing an uppercut ceremony together.
연합뉴스 연예계 대표적 보수 지지자인 방송인 김흥국 씨는 “도와 달라고 해 발 벗고 나섰는데 선거 끝나면 모른 척하더라”며 이런 정치권에 환멸을 느껴 정치와 손을 끊었다고 했다.
Kim Heung-gook, a representative conservative supporter in the entertainment industry, said that he felt disillusionment with the political sphere and cut ties with it, as they ignored him after he actively supported them during the election.
그런데도 “윤석열 전 대통령 면회를 가지 않는다며 욕을 먹었다”고 한숨을 쉬었다.
However, he sighed that he was criticized for not visiting former President Yoon Seok-yeol.
김 씨는 “돌아가신 이주일 선생이 ‘정치 해보니까 코미디더라’고 한 말씀이 생각났다”며 “많은 연예인이 정치권에서 도와달라고 하면 도와줬다.
Kim recalled the late Lee Joo-il’s saying that “politics is a comedy after trying it,” and said that many entertainers helped when politicians asked them for help.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What is Kim Heung-gook’s relationship with former President Yoon Seok-yeol?
- Why did Kim feel disillusioned with the political sphere?
- What did Kim say about the late Lee Joo-il’s perspective on politics?
- What did Kim say about how entertainers have helped politicians in the past?
- Despite his disillusionment, why was Kim criticized?
5. Cultural and historical notes
Kim Heung-gook is a well-known Korean entertainer who has been active in the industry for many years. His song “Butterfly” is considered a classic in Korean pop culture. The article reflects the complex relationship between entertainers and the political sphere in Korea, where some entertainers have actively supported certain politicians or political parties, only to feel let down or disillusioned when their expectations are not met.