Korean Reading Practice

‘빨간 자선 냄비’의 퇴장, 캐나다 구세군의 변신

📅 December 21, 2025

1Introduction

This reading explores how traditional charity collection methods are adapting to our increasingly cashless society. We’ll examine the transformation of Canada’s Salvation Army red kettles from cash-based donations to digital payment systems, and reflect on how technology is changing the landscape of charitable giving during the holiday season.

2Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
자선 jaseon charity 자선 활동에 참여하는 것은 의미가 있어요.Participating in charity activities is meaningful.
냄비 naembi pot, kettle 빨간 자선 냄비가 거리에 놓여 있었어요.A red charity kettle was placed on the street.
현금 hyeongeum cash 요즘은 현금 없는 시대예요.These days it’s a cashless era.
디지털 dijiteol digital 디지털 결제가 편리해요.Digital payment is convenient.
단말기 danmalgi terminal, device 카드 단말기로 기부할 수 있어요.You can donate using a card terminal.
기부 gibu donation 매년 연말에 기부를 해요.I make donations every year-end.
봉사자 bongsaja volunteer 봉사자들이 열심히 도와주고 있어요.Volunteers are helping diligently.
전통적인 jeontongjeog-in traditional 전통적인 방법이 변하고 있어요.Traditional methods are changing.
변화 byeonhwa change 사회의 변화를 느낄 수 있어요.You can feel the changes in society.
이웃 iut neighbor 이웃을 도와주는 것이 중요해요.Helping neighbors is important.
선율 seonyul melody 아름다운 선율이 거리에 울려 퍼져요.Beautiful melodies echo through the streets.
상징적 sangjingjeok symbolic 이것은 시대 변화의 상징적 모습이에요.This is a symbolic representation of changing times.

3Reading Text

겨울 거리의 풍경이 조용히 변하고 있습니다.

The winter street scene is quietly changing.

캐나다의 구세군 자선 냄비에서 더 이상 동전 떨어지는 소리를 들을 수 없게 되었어요.

You can no longer hear the sound of coins dropping in Canada’s Salvation Army charity kettles.

현금 없는 시대가 되면서 전통적인 빨간 냄비 대신 카드 단말기가 그 자리를 차지하게 되었습니다.

As we entered the cashless era, card terminals have taken the place of traditional red kettles.

이제 사람들은 카드를 한 번 터치하는 것만으로 이웃 사랑을 실천할 수 있어요.

Now people can practice neighborly love with just one tap of their card.

봉사자들은 따뜻한 우쿨렐레 선율로 추운 겨울 거리를 따뜻하게 만들고 있습니다.

Volunteers are warming up the cold winter streets with warm ukulele melodies.

디지털 기술이 자선 활동의 방식을 바꾸고 있지만, 도움이 필요한 사람들을 돕고자 하는 마음은 변하지 않아요.

Digital technology is changing the way charitable activities work, but the heart to help those in need remains unchanged.

새로운 디자인의 단말기는 빨간색으로 구세군의 전통을 이어가면서도 현대적인 모습을 보여줍니다.

The newly designed terminals maintain the Salvation Army tradition with red color while showing a modern appearance.

비록 전통적인 냄비의 모습은 사라졌지만, 사람들의 따뜻한 마음과 자선 정신은 계속 이어지고 있어요.

Although the appearance of traditional kettles has disappeared, people’s warm hearts and charitable spirit continue.

4Comprehension Questions

Q1
What has replaced the traditional red charity kettles in Canada?
Q2
How do people now make donations to the Salvation Army?
Q3
What instrument do volunteers play to create a warm atmosphere?
Q4
What color is maintained in the new digital donation terminals and why?
Q5
According to the text, what remains unchanged despite technological advances in charitable giving?

5Cultural Notes

The Salvation Army’s red kettles have been a Christmas tradition in North America for over 130 years, first appearing in San Francisco in 1891. In Korean culture, charitable giving during winter months is also common, often associated with year-end giving campaigns and community support initiatives. The adaptation to digital payment methods reflects broader societal shifts toward cashless transactions that are happening globally, including in South Korea where mobile payments and card usage have become predominant.

Source: Naver News |
Original Article

Leave a Reply