1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses the popularity of “K-occult” content, which features elements of Korean traditional culture and folklore, such as grim reapers, shamans, and goblins. It focuses on the competition between a boy group called “Lion Boys” and a character named Huntress, who is reminiscent of a shaman, in the Netflix series “The King’s Affection.”
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 오컬트 | okeolteu | occult | K-오컬트가 세계인을 사로잡고 있다. (K-occult is captivating people around the world.) |
| 저승사자 | jeoseungsaja | grim reaper | 갓 쓴 저승사자들로 이뤄진 보이그룹 ‘사자 보이즈’의 대결 구도가 중심이다. (The central conflict is between the boy group “Lion Boys,” made up of grim reapers wearing hats.) |
| 무당 | mudang | shaman | 헌트릭스와 갓 쓴 저승사자들로 이뤄진 보이그룹 ‘사자 보이즈’의 대결 구도가 중심이다. (The central conflict is between Huntress and the boy group “Lion Boys,” made up of grim reapers wearing hats.) |
| 도깨비 | dokkaebi | goblin | 한국의 전통문화와 무속을 내세운 K-오컬트가 세계인을 사로잡고 있다. (K-occult featuring Korean traditional culture and shamanism is captivating people around the world.) |
| 쿠나이 | kunai | kunai (Japanese ninja weapon) | 쿠나이와 슈리켄은 일본 닌자가 사용한 무기다. (Kunai and shuriken are weapons used by Japanese ninjas.) |
| 슈리켄 | syurikeun | shuriken (Japanese ninja weapon) | 쿠나이와 슈리켄은 일본 닌자가 사용한 무기다. (Kunai and shuriken are weapons used by Japanese ninjas.) |
| 범접 | beomjeok | overcoming, transcending | 댄스 크루 범접의 ‘몽경- 꿈의 경계에서’ (The dance crew Beomjeok’s “Mongkyeong – On the Boundary of Dreams”) |
| 몽경 | mongkyeong | dream boundary | 댄스 크루 범접의 ‘몽경- 꿈의 경계에서’ (The dance crew Beomjeok’s “Mongkyeong – On the Boundary of Dreams”) |
| 완성도 | wanseongdo | level of completion, quality | 높은 완성도를 보여 줬다. (It showed a high level of completion.) |
| 전달력 | jeondallryeok | power of expression, communication | 전달력을 높이는 등 높은 완성도를 보여 줬다. (It showed a high level of completion, including increasing the power of expression.) |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
이번에는 ‘K-오컬트’다. 저승사자와 무당, 도깨비 등 한국의 전통문화와 무속을 내세운 K-오컬트가 세계인을 사로잡고 있다.
This time, it’s “K-occult.” K-occult featuring Korean traditional culture and shamanism, such as grim reapers, shamans, and goblins, is captivating people around the world.
악령 헌터(사냥꾼)이자 무당을 연상케 하는 헌트릭스와 갓 쓴 저승사자들로 이뤄진 보이그룹 ‘사자 보이즈’의 대결 구도가 중심이다.
The central conflict is between Huntress, who is reminiscent of a shaman and a demon hunter (hunter), and the boy group “Lion Boys,” made up of grim reapers wearing hats.
쿠나이와 슈리켄은 일본 닌자가 사용한 무기다. 댄스 크루 범접의 ‘몽경- 꿈의 경계에서’
Kunai and shuriken are weapons used by Japanese ninjas. The dance crew Beomjeok’s “Mongkyeong – On the Boundary of Dreams”
김성수 문화평론가는 “범접이 오컬트를 제대로 이해해 죽음과 삶의 경계를 춤으로 잘 표현한 작품”이라며 “하이 앵글로 전달력을 높이는 등 높은 완성도를 보여 줬다”고 전했다.
Cultural critic Kim Seong-su said, “Beomjeok properly understood the occult and well expressed the boundary between life and death through dance, and showed a high level of completion, including increasing the power of expression through high angles.”
한국에 계신가요, 아니면 미국에 계신가요?
Are you in Korea or the United States?
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What are the main elements of “K-occult” content that are captivating people around the world?
- Who are the main characters involved in the central conflict in the Netflix series “The King’s Affection”?
- What are the Japanese ninja weapons mentioned in the article?
- How did the dance crew Beomjeok’s performance “Mongkyeong – On the Boundary of Dreams” express the occult theme?
- Where does the article suggest the reader might be located, Korea or the United States?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The article highlights the growing popularity of “K-occult” content, which draws on traditional Korean folklore and supernatural elements such as grim reapers, shamans, and goblins. This trend reflects the global interest in Korean culture and the continued influence of Korean media and entertainment.