From vulgar words to neologisms, from etymologies to alternative words
A look into the language life of teenagers these days
Special Korean language classes

What kind of language do teenagers use most often these days? Teacher Kwon Hee-rin, who has spent 17 years exploring the language habits of teenagers in schools and dedicated five minutes of her Korean language classes to a fascinating "slang lesson," has now published "5-Minute Slang Lessons," based on her experience.


In this book, the author examines the language life of teenagers from various angles, focusing on the swear words, new words, and trendy words that teenagers frequently use.
From vulgar expressions that have survived the changing times like "Ddaeng-daeng-i" and "Kkondae" to newly emerging buzzwords like "Chugumi", "Jung-geok-ma", and "Guk-rule", and even various curse words, there is a wide variety of vulgar expressions that are still on the lips of young people today.
Instead of simply condemning these vulgar words, the author examined their etymology, found similar words and antonyms, and even suggested alternative words, examining them three-dimensionally with the students.
He shares his experience of how simply explaining the etymology of vulgar language significantly reduced the amount of swearing students used, and delves into the hearts of young people contained within vulgar language.

I can still vividly remember the students' expressions when the foul language came out of my mouth.
It was a face that simultaneously showed confusion, thinking, 'How can a teacher swear?' and the question, 'But why can't I use it?'
That question was the starting point of the five-minute slang lesson.
We chose one slang word each hour and talked about how we use it, what we know it means, and even looked closely at its actual etymology and context.
There were many days when I blushed, and when I saw students getting more excited and shouting out swear words along, I wondered, 'Is this really educational?'
But a surprising change came after that.

--- From the main text, “Introductory Remarks”

When we think of a new life, we often think of a life where we achieve great goals, but the essence of a new life is not grandeur.
It is closer to a positive self-development mindset that seeks to grow little by little every day, or an attitude toward life that faithfully follows a simple routine.
For example, small practices such as waking up in the morning and drinking a glass of warm water, or writing down good sentences for 10 minutes a day can be the starting point of a new life.

--- p.15, from the text “Gotsaeng”

“Teacher, what are we doing today...” Before I could finish my sentence, I quietly pointed towards the bookshelf with my finger.
The children who saw that looked through the list, started organizing the books, cleaning the floor, and organizing the return box.
It was as if the entire library was in 'Know-It-All Mode'.
'Aljaltakkalsen' is not just a sensible abbreviation, but a saying that conveys the heart before words.
That day, I came to believe in the power of communication in five letters.

--- p.34-35, from the text “Aljaltakkalsen”

Perhaps, ‘Kkuan-kku’ is a ‘competition to hide the traces of effort’ created by our society.
The atmosphere where you have to show off your sweat and effort but don't show it, and it seems like you were born with it naturally, and the social view that it looks cooler to say "I just tried it and it worked" than to say "I worked hard" - that may be the essence of this word.

--- p.44, from the text “Kkuankku”

“Teacher, why is there only ‘bastard’ among swear words and no ‘cow’ or ‘horse’?” The other students looked puzzled for a moment at this question posed by one student in class.
I spoke slowly.
“Since primitive times, humans have strictly prohibited incest.
“Most domestic animals have mating rules like humans, but dogs are said to be an exception.” In other words, the insult called 'bastard' is the result of verbally expressing human caution and disgust towards beings who deviate from moral standards.

--- p.85, from the text “Asshole”

One time, during class, we read a poem that parodied Kim Chun-su's poem "Flower" using profanity.
“When I called your name loudly, you came to me and turned into a flower.” At first, the children laughed.
It's a natural reaction to burst out laughing when a familiar poem is mixed with vulgar language.
But as I read a few more lines, a strange discomfort crossed the children's faces.
I experienced firsthand the mood and emotion contained in a single word, and how that word changed the mood of the text.
--- p.107-108, from the text “Fuck”

We often say negative things about someone who makes their presence known, like, “He’s a pedophile.”
But behind those words, it seems like there is a hidden desire to be noticed, something that everyone has.
Wanting to be noticed and acknowledged is a completely natural and healthy emotion.
Rather than unconditionally condemning someone's desire for attention, why not take a moment to listen to the small, sincere voice within that voice that says, "I'm here."
--- p.127, from the text “Guanjong”

The substitute word for 'shitty' that the students came up with was 'like a flower'.
These words have similar pronunciations and the same number of syllables, but of course they have a completely different nuance as they are said with the same meaning as 'something I don't like', but how noble is the meaning that appears on the surface.
I think it's a word that's pleasant to hear and much softer and more pleasant to say.

--- p.192, from the text "It sucks"