Learn Korean: Hairdresser Swindles Elderly Neighbors

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Korean Reading Practice

[단독] 60억 곗돈 꿀꺽한 동네 미용사…돈 달라 하자...

Date: February 26, 2026

Introduction

This reading material discusses a case of a local hairdresser who scammed elderly customers out of a large sum of money through a savings club scheme. The article delves into the details of the scam and the aftermath for the victims.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
곗돈 gwatdon money contributed to a savings club 할머니들이 곗돈을 납부했습니다.The grandmothers contributed to the savings club.
사기 sagi fraud, scam 이 사건은 심각한 사기 사건입니다.This incident is a serious fraud case.
피해자 pihaeja victim 피해자들이 큰 피해를 입었습니다.The victims suffered great harm.
가압류 gaapryu provisional seizure (of property) 다른 할머니들의 땅과 건물이 가압류되었습니다.The land and buildings of the other grandmothers were provisionally seized.
계모임 gyemoim savings club 이 미용사가 여러 계모임을 운영했습니다.This hairdresser operated multiple savings clubs.
돌변하다 dolbyeonhada to suddenly change 미용사의 태도가 돌변했습니다.The hairdresser's attitude suddenly changed.
고성 goseong loud shouting 할머니들이 큰 소리로 항의했습니다.The grandmothers protested loudly.
삿대질 satdaejil to point a finger angrily 미용사가 할머니를 향해 삿대질했습니다.The hairdresser angrily pointed a finger at the grandmother.
수억원대 sueokwondae hundreds of millions of won 이 사건으로 수억원대의 피해가 발생했습니다.Hundreds of millions of won in damages were caused by this incident.
만기 mangi maturity (of a loan) 계모임의 만기가 지났습니다.The maturity date of the savings club had passed.

Reading Text

동네 미용사가 할머니들에게 계모임을 권유했습니다. 10년 동안 계모임을 운영하던 그녀는 지난해 만기가 되자 태도가 완전히 달라졌습니다.

The local hairdresser had recommended a savings club to the elderly grandmothers. After operating the savings club for 10 years, her attitude completely changed when the maturity date arrived last year.

할머니들이 돈을 달라고 요구하자 그녀는 격렬하게 반응했습니다. 그녀는 할머니를 향해 삿대질을 하며 고성을 지르기 시작했습니다.

When the grandmothers demanded their money, she reacted violently. She began angrily pointing her finger at the grandmother and shouting loudly.

조사 결과, 그녀의 땅과 건물이 이전에 돈을 받지 못했던 다른 할머니들에게 가압류되어 있었습니다. 또한 그녀가 여러 개의 계모임을 동시에 운영하고 있다는 사실도 밝혀졌습니다.

The investigation revealed that her land and buildings were provisionally seized by other grandmothers who had not received their money. It was also discovered that she was operating multiple savings clubs simultaneously.

총 60억 원 규모의 계모임 자금을 모두 빼내 사용한 것으로 드러났습니다. 피해 할머니들은 큰 경제적 타격을 입었고, 법적 소송을 진행 중입니다.

It was revealed that she had withdrawn and used all 60 billion won worth of savings club funds. The affected grandmothers suffered major financial harm and are currently pursuing legal action.

이 사건은 지역 사회에 큰 충격을 주었습니다. 이웃들과 친밀했던 미용사가 자신들을 속였다는 사실에 많은 사람들이 분노했습니다.

This incident has caused a major shock in the local community. Many people were outraged to discover that the hairdresser, who was close with the neighbors, had deceived them.

할머니들은 자신들의 노후 생활을 위해 열심히 모아둔 돈이 사라져 큰 충격과 고통을 겪고 있습니다. 이번 사건을 계기로 지역사회 내 취약계층에 대한 관심과 보호 대책이 필요할 것으로 보입니다.

The grandmothers are experiencing great shock and suffering as the money they had diligently saved for their retirement has disappeared. This incident highlights the need for greater attention and protective measures for vulnerable members of the local community.

Grammar Points

-던 used to (past continuous modifier)

Attached to a verb stem to describe a past habitual or ongoing action that was interrupted; modifies a noun with a sense of 'used to' or 'was doing'.

📖 10년 동안 계모임을 운영하던 그녀는 지난해 만기가 되자 태도가 완전히 달라졌습니다. She, who had been running the gye (savings club) for 10 years, completely changed her attitude when it matured last year.

✏️ 예전에 자주 가던 카페가 문을 닫았어요. The café I used to go to often has closed down.

Cultural Notes

Savings clubs, known as "gye" in Korean, are a traditional form of informal banking and mutual aid that have been practiced in Korea for centuries. They allow members to pool their savings and take turns accessing the pooled funds, often for major life events or investments. While generally beneficial, this case highlights how such informal financial arrangements can also be vulnerable to exploitation, especially when targeting elderly or vulnerable members of the community.

Source: 네이버 뉴스 | Original Article
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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

Why did the local hairdresser initially recommend the savings club to the elderly grandmothers?

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Q2

What changed in the hairdresser's attitude when the maturity date of the savings club arrived?

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Q3

What was discovered about the hairdresser's property and business operations during the investigation?

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Q4

How much money in total was taken from the savings club funds, and what was the impact on the affected grandmothers?

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Q5

How did the local community react to the revelation of this scam by the trusted hairdresser?

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