Korean Reading Practice

“하루도 같이 산 적 없어”…’이혼’ 이지현, 의사 남편 ‘재혼 생활’ 폭로

📅 January 16, 2026

1Introduction

This reading explores the challenges of remarriage in Korean society, focusing on family dynamics and social expectations. The text examines how blended families navigate complex relationships between stepchildren, in-laws, and spouses in contemporary Korea.

2Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
재혼 jaehon remarriage 그녀는 재혼을 심각하게 고려하고 있다.She is seriously considering remarriage.
시댁 sidaek husband’s family/in-laws 시댁과의 관계가 어려웠다.The relationship with the in-laws was difficult.
품다 pumda to embrace, accept 새아버지가 아이들을 따뜻하게 품어주었다.The stepfather warmly embraced the children.
파경 pagyeong breakdown (of marriage) 결혼 생활이 파경에 이르렀다.The marriage reached a breakdown.
단호하다 danho-hada to be firm, resolute 그는 단호하게 거절했다.He firmly refused.
뭉그적거리다 mungeujeok-georida to be wishy-washy, indecisive 중요한 순간에 뭉그적거리면 안 된다.You shouldn’t be wishy-washy at important moments.
약속 yaksok promise 그는 약속을 지키지 않았다.He didn’t keep his promise.
이목 imok attention, public interest 그 사건이 많은 이목을 끌었다.That incident drew a lot of attention.
결심하다 gyeolsim-hada to decide, resolve 새로운 시작을 결심했다.I decided on a new beginning.
배경 baegyeong background, circumstances 이혼의 배경을 설명했다.She explained the background of the divorce.
요구하다 yogu-hada to demand, request 남편이 먼저 이혼을 요구했다.The husband demanded divorce first.
지극하다 jigeuk-hada to be extreme, devoted 그는 아내를 지극하게 사랑했다.He loved his wife devotedly.

3Reading Text

한국 사회에서 재혼은 여전히 복잡한 문제로 여겨진다.

In Korean society, remarriage is still considered a complex issue.

특히 아이가 있는 상황에서의 재혼은 더욱 신중한 결정이 필요하다.

Especially remarriage with children requires an even more careful decision.

많은 재혼 가정에서는 새로운 가족 구성원들 사이의 관계 형성이 가장 큰 과제가 된다.

In many remarried families, forming relationships between new family members becomes the biggest challenge.

시댁과의 관계도 재혼 생활의 성공을 좌우하는 중요한 요소 중 하나다.

The relationship with in-laws is also one of the important factors that determine the success of remarried life.

배우자가 이전 결혼에서 낳은 아이들을 진정으로 품어주겠다는 약속을 지키는 것이 핵심이다.

The key is keeping the promise to truly embrace children from a spouse’s previous marriage.

하지만 현실에서는 이러한 약속이 지켜지지 않아 갈등이 생기는 경우가 많다.

However, in reality, conflicts often arise when such promises are not kept.

가족 간의 소통 부족과 단호하지 못한 태도는 문제를 더욱 복잡하게 만든다.

Lack of communication between family members and indecisive attitudes make problems even more complex.

결국 많은 재혼 부부들이 이러한 어려움을 극복하지 못하고 파경에 이르게 된다.

Eventually, many remarried couples fail to overcome these difficulties and reach a breakdown.

4Comprehension Questions

Q1
What makes remarriage particularly challenging in Korean society according to the text?
Q2
What is described as the biggest challenge in remarried families?
Q3
Which family relationship is mentioned as crucial for remarriage success?
Q4
What promise is considered key in blended families?
Q5
What factors are mentioned as making family problems more complex?

5Cultural Notes

In traditional Korean society, remarriage was often stigmatized, especially for women, though attitudes have become more accepting in recent decades. The concept of “jeong” (deep emotional bonds) remains important in Korean family relationships, making the integration of stepchildren particularly significant. Korean in-law relationships traditionally carry strong expectations and obligations that can create additional pressure in remarried families.

Source: Naver News |
Original Article

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