Learn Korean: Tennis vs Golf for Healthy Living

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Korean Reading Practice

“골프는 아무나 다 치죠? 테니스는 실력 없으면 못 껴요”[양종구의 100세 시대 건강법]

Date: June 14, 2026

Introduction

This article explores the perspectives of a prominent legal professional who has maintained an active tennis lifestyle for nearly four decades. Through his reflections on the differences between golf and tennis as recreational sports, the text examines how competitive sports contribute to longevity and well-being in advanced age. The discussion touches on themes of discipline, self-improvement, and the social dynamics of athletic pursuits in Korean professional culture.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
누비다 nubida to traverse, to roam; to navigate regularly 37년째 테니스코트를 누비고 있다.He has been regularly navigating tennis courts for 37 years.
배타적 baetajeok exclusive, exclusionary 테니스가 더 배타적인 것 같다.Tennis seems more exclusionary.
무관하게 mugwanhage regardless of, irrespective of 실력과 무관하게 칠 수 있다.One can play regardless of skill level.
청사 cheongsa government office building 청사 뒤에 테니스코트가 있었다.There was a tennis court behind the government building.
보직 대기 bojik daegi waiting for assignment (professional status) 보직 대기 중이었을 때 테니스를 많이 쳤다.During the period of waiting for assignment, he played tennis frequently.
소문 somun rumor, hearsay, reputation 좀 친다는 소문이 났다.A rumor spread that he played fairly well.
겨루다 gyeoruda to compete against, to match up with 그들과 겨루면서 1승도 못 했다.While competing against them, he could not win even once.
금주하다 geumjuhada to abstain from alcohol 테니스 치기 전날은 꼭 금주한다.He always abstains from alcohol the day before playing tennis.
상임고문 sangim gomun standing advisor, permanent counsel 법무법인의 상임고문으로 근무하고 있다.He serves as a standing advisor at a law firm.
규율 gyuyul discipline, regulation, order 스포츠는 개인의 규율을 강화한다.Sports strengthen personal discipline.
체력 cheryeok physical strength, stamina 오랫동안 테니스를 하면 체력이 증진된다.Playing tennis for a long time improves physical stamina.
장수 jangsu longevity, long life 규칙적인 운동은 장수의 비결이다.Regular exercise is the secret to longevity.

Reading Text

법무법인에서 상임고문으로 근무하는 박장호 변호사는 37년이라는 오랜 세월 동안 테니스코트를 누비며 이 스포츠와 함께 인생을 영위해왔다.

Attorney Park Jang-ho, who serves as a standing counsel at a major law firm, has spent an extensive period of 37 years traversing tennis courts and has conducted his life intertwined with this sport.

그는 골프와 테니스의 근본적인 차이에 대해 설명하면서, 골프는 실력의 수준과 무관하게 누구나 즐길 수 있는 스포츠라고 언급했다.

In explaining the fundamental differences between golf and tennis, he noted that golf is a sport that anyone can enjoy regardless of their skill level.

반면에 테니스는 단순한 여가 활동이 아니라 상대방과의 경쟁을 전제로 하기 때문에, 일정 수준 이상의 기술과 체력을 갖춘 사람들끼리만 의미 있는 경기를 펼칠 수 있다고 강조했다.

In contrast, he emphasized that tennis, being predicated on competition with an opponent rather than mere leisure, allows for meaningful matches only among those who possess a certain minimum level of technical skill and physical stamina.

청사 근처에 위치한 테니스코트에서 쉽게 접근할 수 있었던 그는, 보직 대기 중이던 시절에 테니스에 몰두하게 되었고, 자신이 어느 정도 실력을 갖추었다고 생각하게 되었다고 회상했다.

Having easy access to a tennis court located near the government office building, he recalls becoming absorbed in tennis during the period when he was awaiting professional assignment, and he came to believe that he had developed a certain level of competence.

그러나 실력 있는 선수들과 실제로 겨루게 되었을 때, 단 한 번의 승리도 거두지 못했던 경험이 그에게 깊은 깨달음을 주었다고 말했다.

However, when he actually competed against skilled players, the experience of not achieving even a single victory provided him with profound insight, he said.

이러한 경험으로부터 그는 테니스 경기 전날에는 반드시 금주하는 규율을 지키게 되었으며, 이는 단순한 신체 관리를 넘어 정신적 준비와 존경심을 담은 의식으로 발전했다고 볼 수 있다.

From this experience, he came to observe the discipline of abstaining from alcohol the day before tennis matches, which can be viewed as having evolved beyond mere physical management into a ritual imbued with mental preparation and respect.

결국 박 변호사의 테니스 인생은 자기 극복과 지속적인 자기 수련을 통해 건강한 노년을 영위하는 방식을 보여주는 사례라고 할 수 있으며, 이는 현대인들이 추구해야 할 장수의 철학을 담고 있다.

Ultimately, Attorney Park's tennis life exemplifies a manner of pursuing healthy aging through self-overcoming and continuous self-discipline, embodying a philosophy of longevity that contemporary individuals should strive to achieve.

Grammar Points

-(으)ㄴ/는 반면(에) whereas / on the other hand

Used to contrast two opposing situations: 'whereas' or 'on the other hand'. Attaches to a verb/adjective stem.

📖 반면에 테니스는 단순한 여가 활동이 아니라 상대방과의 경쟁을 전제로 하기 때문에, 일정 수준 이상의 기술과 체력을 갖춘 사람들끼리만 의미 있는 경기를 펼칠 수 있다고 강조했다. On the other hand, because tennis presupposes competition with an opponent rather than being a simple leisure activity, he emphasized that only people equipped with a certain level of skill and physical fitness can play a meaningful match.

✏️ 형은 공부를 잘하는 반면에 운동은 잘 못해요. My older brother is good at studying, whereas he is not good at sports.

-을/를 통해(서) through / via

Means 'through' or 'via', indicating the means or medium by which something is achieved. Attaches to a noun with object particle.

📖 결국 박 변호사의 테니스 인생은 자기 극복과 지속적인 자기 수련을 통해 건강한 노년을 영위하는 방식을 보여주는 사례라고 할 수 있으며, 이는 현대인들이 추구해야 할 장수의 철학을 담고 있다. Ultimately, lawyer Park's tennis life can be said to be an example showing a way to lead a healthy old age through self-overcoming and continuous self-discipline, and it contains the philosophy of longevity that modern people should pursue.

✏️ 우리는 대화를 통해 문제를 해결할 수 있어요. We can solve problems through dialogue.

Cultural Notes

In Korean professional culture, the concept of "보직 대기" (waiting for assignment) reflects the hierarchical and seniority-based nature of career advancement in large organizations, where employees may experience periods of professional limbo. Tennis, while not as widely accessible as golf in Korea, carries connotations of sophistication and discipline within professional circles, often associated with self-improvement and mental fortitude. Additionally, the practice of "금주" (abstaining from alcohol) before important events demonstrates a deeply rooted Korean cultural value of preparation and respect, where physical and mental discipline are seen as intertwined with social responsibility and professional integrity.

Source: 네이버 뉴스 | Original Article
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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

According to the text, what is the fundamental difference between golf and tennis in terms of accessibility and skill requirements?

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Q2

Where was the tennis court located that Attorney Park had easy access to during his early years of playing?

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Q3

What significant realization did Park Jang-ho experience when he competed against skilled tennis players, and how did this affect his approach to the sport?

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Q4

What discipline or practice did Park adopt the day before playing tennis matches, and what deeper meaning does this practice hold beyond physical preparation?

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Q5

How does the text characterize Park's approach to tennis as a model for healthy aging and longevity in modern society?

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