1. Introduction to the text
This reading lesson discusses the controversy surrounding the “center shot” photos of the first lady, Kim Keon-hee, and the former employee of the presidential office who released a vlog about his resignation.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 논란이 | nonraneul | controversy | There was controversy over the “center shot” photos of the first lady. |
| 직원이 | jigwoneul | employee | A former employee of the presidential office released a vlog about his resignation. |
| 여사가 | yeosaga | first lady | The controversy was related to the “center shot” photos of the first lady, Kim Keon-hee. |
| 기자 | gija | journalist | The journalist reported on the controversy surrounding the first lady’s photos. |
| 여사 | yeo-sa | first lady | The controversy over the first lady’s “center shot” photos continued during her overseas trips. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
윤석열 정부 대통령실의 전직 직원이 퇴사 브이로그를 찍어서 논란이 됐다. 지난해 9월 마포대교 점검 사진에서 당시 야당이었던 민주당에서도 큰 비판이 나왔다.
The former employee of the presidential office under the Yoon Seok-yeol government caused controversy by filming a vlog about his resignation. In September of last year, the Democratic Party, which was the opposition party at the time, strongly criticized the photos of the first lady’s inspection of the Mapo Bridge.
2023년 순천만 국제정원박람회 개막식에서도 김 여사의 사진 논란이 끊임없이 이어졌다. 특히 해외순방 때마다 김 여사의 사진 논란이 계속되었는데, 지난해 카자흐스탄 순방 때 현지 언론이 공개한 사진에서 김 여사가 가운데, 센터에 서 있는 모습이 보였다.
The controversy over the first lady’s photos continued even at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo. The controversy over the first lady’s photos persisted, especially during her overseas trips, and a photo released by the local media during her trip to Kazakhstan last year showed the first lady standing in the center.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What was the controversy surrounding the first lady’s “center shot” photos?
- Who criticized the photos of the first lady’s inspection of the Mapo Bridge?
- When and where did the controversy over the first lady’s photos continue?
- What was notable about the photo of the first lady during her trip to Kazakhstan?
- Who released a vlog about their resignation from the presidential office, causing controversy?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The controversy over the first lady’s “center shot” photos reflects the close attention and scrutiny that public figures in South Korea, especially the president and their family, face. The positioning and framing of the first lady in these photos were seen by some as an attempt to highlight her prominence, which sparked criticism and debate about the appropriate role and representation of the first lady.