Learn Korean: Single Life and Social Family Support

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Korean Reading Practice

서울 사는 47세 싱글 남입니다, 제 가족을 보장해 주...

Date: May 21, 2026

Introduction

This article explores how family structures in Korea are rapidly changing and becoming more diverse. It discusses how single-person households, same-sex couples, and communal living arrangements are becoming more common in Korean society. The text emphasizes the need for social policies that recognize and support these non-traditional family forms.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
가족 gajok family 저의 가족은 매우 중요해요.My family is very important to me.
1인가구 ilin gagu single-person household 1인가구가 점점 늘어나고 있습니다.Single-person households are increasing.
다양한 dayanghan diverse, varied 다양한 가족의 형태가 있어요.There are diverse family forms.
동성 부부 dongseong bubu same-sex couple 동성 부부도 가족이에요.Same-sex couples are also families.
사회적 sahoejeok social 사회적 지원이 필요합니다.Social support is necessary.
보장하다 bojanghada to guarantee, to ensure 정부가 권리를 보장해야 해요.The government should guarantee rights.
생애주기 saengae jugi life cycle 전통적인 생애주기가 변했어요.The traditional life cycle has changed.
비혼 bihon unmarried (by choice) 비혼 여성들이 많아졌습니다.There are more unmarried women by choice.
동거 donggeo cohabitation, living together 친구와 동거하는 사람들이 있어요.There are people who live together with friends.
지역 의제 jiyeok uije local issues, regional agenda 지역 의제를 논의해야 합니다.We must discuss local issues.
성소수자 seongsosuja sexual minority, LGBTQ+ person 성소수자의 권리가 중요해요.The rights of sexual minorities are important.
피부양자 pibuyangja dependent (legal status) 배우자를 피부양자로 등록할 수 있어요.You can register a spouse as a dependent.

Reading Text

서울에 사는 한 47세 싱글 남성이 사회에 중요한 질문을 던졌습니다.

A 47-year-old single man living in Seoul posed an important question to society.

"제 가족을 보장해 주세요"라는 그의 말은 현대 한국 사회의 변화를 잘 보여줍니다.

His plea, "Please guarantee my family," reflects the changes in modern Korean society well.

과거에는 결혼과 출산, 그리고 노후로 이어지는 단순한 인생 경로가 있었습니다.

In the past, there was a simple life path that led from marriage to childbirth and then to old age.

하지만 지금은 혼자 사는 사람, 결혼하지 않기로 선택한 사람, 같은 성별의 파트너와 사는 사람, 친구들과 함께 사는 사람 등 매우 다양한 가족 형태가 존재합니다.

However, now there are very diverse family forms: people living alone, those who choose not to marry, those living with same-sex partners, and those living with friends.

대법원이 2024년에 동성 부부도 건강보험의 피부양자로 인정하는 판결을 내렸습니다.

In 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples can also be recognized as dependents for health insurance.

이것은 한국 사회가 다양한 가족 형태를 인정하기 시작했다는 의미입니다.

This means that Korean society is beginning to recognize diverse family forms.

성소수자들이 자신들의 방식으로 나이를 먹고 살아갈 수 있는 사회를 만들기 위해서는 더 많은 정책적 지원이 필요합니다.

More policy support is needed to create a society where sexual minorities can age and live in their own way.

앞으로 한국은 모든 사람의 다양한 가족 형태를 인정하고 보장하는 방향으로 나아가야 합니다.

Moving forward, Korea must progress toward recognizing and guaranteeing the diverse family forms of all people.

Grammar Points

-기로 하다 decide to

Attached to a verb stem to express a decision or choice to do something. Here '결혼하지 않기로 선택한' means 'chose to not marry'.

📖 하지만 지금은 혼자 사는 사람, 결혼하지 않기로 선택한 사람, 같은 성별의 파트너와 사는 사람, 친구들과 함께 사는 사람 등 매우 다양한 가족 형태가 존재합니다. But now there are many diverse family forms: people living alone, people who chose not to marry, people living with a partner of the same gender, people living with friends, and so on.

✏️ 우리는 내년에 제주도에 가기로 했어요. We decided to go to Jeju Island next year.

-아/어/여 주다 do (for someone)

Verb stem + 아/어/여 주다 means to do something for someone's benefit. '보장해 주세요' means 'please guarantee/protect (for me/us)'.

📖 "제 가족을 보장해 주세요"라는 그의 말은 현대 한국 사회의 변화를 잘 보여줍니다. His words, "Please protect my family," clearly show the changes in modern Korean society.

✏️ 문 좀 열어 주세요. Please open the door for me.

Cultural Notes

In Korea, the traditional family structure has long been centered around marriage, childbearing, and multi-generational households, reflecting Confucian values that emphasize family continuity and social hierarchy. However, Korea is experiencing rapid social changes due to economic development, urbanization, and generational shifts, leading to increasing numbers of single-person households and delayed marriages. Understanding these evolving attitudes toward family is crucial for foreigners, as Korean society is transitioning from strictly defined family norms to a more inclusive recognition of diverse living arrangements, though this change is still ongoing and sometimes faces social resistance from older generations.

Source: 네이버 뉴스 | Original Article
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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

What is the main concern expressed by the 47-year-old single man mentioned in the article?

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Q2

How has the traditional Korean life cycle changed according to the text?

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Q3

What significant court decision did the Supreme Court make in 2024?

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Q4

Name three examples of diverse family structures mentioned in the article.

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Q5

What does the article suggest is necessary for sexual minorities to live and age in their own way?

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