Learn Korean: A 101-Year-Old Mom's Comeback

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Korean Reading Practice

101세 엄마, 정신이 돌아왔다…80세 아들이 쓴 ‘달...

Date: April 12, 2026

Introduction

This reading material explores the heartwarming story of a 101-year-old mother who regained her mental faculties, and her 80-year-old son who cared for her. It highlights the importance of filial piety and the joys of intergenerational relationships in Korean culture.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
장수하다 jangsuhada to live a long life 그 분은 100세 이상 장수하셨습니다.
공존하다 gongjeonhada to coexist 어머니와 아들이 아름답게 공존하고 있습니다.
보따리 bottari bundle, package 어머니는 새벽마다 보따리를 이고 장터를 돌았습니다.
꼭두새벽 kkokdusaebyeok very early morning 어머니는 꼭두새벽부터 밥을 해 주셨습니다.
데이케어센터 deikkeosenteo day care center 어머니는 집 근처 데이케어센터에서 돌아왔습니다.
차례 charye turn, one's time 이젠 내 차례다, 생각했어요.
힘들다 himdeulda to be difficult, tiring 어릴 적 엄니가 나 키우느라 힘들었다.
비밀 bimil secret 달력의 비밀이 있었습니다.
웃다 utda to smile, laugh 어머니도 아들도 웃게 했습니다.
돌아오다 doraoda to come back, return 어머니가 데이케어센터에서 돌아왔습니다.
정신이 돌아오다 jeongsini doraoda to regain one's mental faculties 101세 엄마, 정신이 돌아왔다.
성큼 seongkeum quickly, with big steps 100세의 행복이 성큼 다가왔습니다.

Reading Text

백세시대가 성큼 다가왔습니다. 건강하게 늙어가는 사람들이 성공한 자입니다. 100세 이상 장수한 사람들의 공통점은 무엇일까요?

The era of centenarians is quickly approaching. Those who age healthily are considered successful. What do people who live over 100 years have in common?

어머니는 새벽마다 보따리를 이고 장터를 돌았습니다. 때론 밤에 깨서 거실을 돌아다녔고, 꼭두새벽부터 밥해 주겠다고 부엌칼을 쥐고 가스 불도 켰습니다.

Every morning, the mother would carry a bundle and go to the market. Sometimes she would wake up at night and wander around the living room, and from the very early morning, she would hold a kitchen knife and turn on the gas stove, saying she would cook a meal.

아들은 79세 노인이었지만, 어머니를 돌보느라 힘들었습니다. 어릴 때 자신을 키우느라 힘들었던 엄마의 차례가 왔다고 생각했습니다.

The son was 79 years old, but it was difficult for him to take care of his mother. He thought it was his turn now, as his mother had worked hard to raise him when he was young.

어머니가 데이케어센터에서 돌아왔을 때, 그녀는 정신이 돌아왔다고 말했습니다. 그리고 아들과 함께 달력 뒷면에 적힌 비밀을 발견했습니다.

When the mother returned from the day care center, she said that her mental faculties had returned. And together with her son, she discovered the secret written on the back of the calendar.

그 비밀은 어머니와 아들이 함께 웃게 한 것이었습니다. 아름다운 공존을 위해서는 어떻게 해야 하는지, 이들의 이야기에 답이 있었습니다.

The secret was something that made both the mother and son smile. Their story held the answer to how to achieve a beautiful coexistence.

이처럼 100세 이상 장수한 사람들은 건강하고 행복한 삶을 살아갑니다. 그들의 비법은 가족과의 사랑과 공존에 있었습니다.

In this way, people who live over 100 years lead healthy and happy lives. The secret to their longevity was in the love and coexistence with their family.

Grammar Points

-느라고 because of (doing, negative result)

Attached to a verb stem to indicate that doing one action causes difficulty or prevents another; often implies a negative or burdensome result.

📖 아들은 79세 노인이었지만, 어머니를 돌보느라 힘들었습니다. The son was a 79-year-old elderly man, but he had a hard time because he was taking care of his mother.

✏️ 시험 공부하느라 밤을 새웠어요. I stayed up all night because I was studying for the exam.

마다 every / each

Attached to a noun to mean 'every' or 'each'; indicates a repeated occurrence at every instance of that time or thing.

📖 어머니는 새벽마다 보따리를 이고 장터를 돌았습니다. Every dawn, the mother carried a bundle on her head and went around the market.

✏️ 그는 아침마다 공원에서 운동을 합니다. He exercises in the park every morning.

Cultural Notes

Filial piety, the Confucian virtue of respect for one's parents and elders, is deeply rooted in Korean culture. This story highlights the importance of intergenerational care and the joy that can come from fulfilling one's duty to one's parents, even in old age. The longevity of the centenarians in the story also reflects the increasing life expectancy in Korea, a trend that has significant social and cultural implications.

Source: 네이버 뉴스 | Original Article
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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

Why are those who age healthily considered successful?

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Q2

What were some of the things the mother did every day?

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Q3

Why did the son think it was his turn to take care of his mother?

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Q4

What did the mother and son discover on the back of the calendar?

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Q5

What was the secret that made both the mother and son smile?

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