1. Introduction to the text This reading lesson provides an in-depth look at the story behind the acclaimed actress Sim Eun-kyung's decision to take a break from acting. The article explores her personal struggles and the role that the film "Days and Nights of Traveling" played in her journey. 2. Vocabulary

Korean Word	Romanization	English Meaning	Contextual Example
천재	cheonjaeja	genius	Sim Eun-kyung, who was called a "genius", was considering giving up acting.
연기	yeonji	acting	She was considering giving up acting.
여행과 나날	yeohaenggwa nannal	Days and Nights of Traveling	The lead actress of the film "Days and Nights of Traveling" is Sim Eun-kyung.
심은경	sim eun-gyeong	Sim Eun-kyung	Sim Eun-kyung, who was called a "genius", was considering giving up acting.
생의 어두운 터널	saengui eodun teoneol	the dark tunnel of life	She felt a sense of liberation from playing a character who was going through the dark tunnel of life.
해방감	haebangam	sense of liberation	She felt a sense of liberation from playing a character who was going through the dark tunnel of life.
차기작	chagijak	next work	After this film, she was unsure of how to approach her next work.
중심	jungsim	focus	After this film, she was unsure of how to approach her next work and lost her focus.
헛디딘	heotdidineun	misstep	After this film, she was unsure of how to approach her next work and had some missteps in her acting.
말이라는 틀에 갇혀	marineun teureul gajchyeo	trapped in the framework of words	She felt trapped in the framework of words and went through a slump.
슬럼프	seulreomp	slump	She felt trapped in the framework of words and went through a slump.
미야케 쇼	miyake syo	Miyake Sho	Sim Eun-kyung was a fan of director Miyake Sho.
시나리오	sinaryo	screenplay	After reading the screenplay, Sim Eun-kyung thought, "This is my story."
황금표범상	hwanggeumbryeopseong	Golden Leopard	The film "Days and Nights of Traveling" won the Golden Leopard award at the Locarno Film Festival.
여우주연상	yeoujuyeonseong	Best Actress	Sim Eun-kyung was nominated for the Best Actress award at the Singapore International Film Festival for her role in "Days and Nights of Traveling".

3. The main text in both Korean and English 배우 심은경은 왜 연기를 그만두려 했을까요? 그녀는 '천재'라 불리며 주목받는 배우였지만, 영화 '여행과 나날'을 찍으면서 연기에 대한 고민이 생겼습니다. Why did the actress Sim Eun-kyung consider giving up acting? She was a renowned actress who was called a "genius", but while filming the movie "Days and Nights of Traveling", she started to have doubts about her acting. 심은경은 이 영화에서 자신의 삶을 반영하는 역할을 맡았습니다. 그녀는 "생의 어두운 터널을 지나는 배역에서 해방감을 느꼈다"고 말했습니다. 하지만 이후 다음 작품을 어떻게 해야 할지 방향을 잃었고, 때로는 연기에서 실수를 하기도 했습니다. Sim Eun-kyung took on a role in this film that reflected her own life. She said, "I felt a sense of liberation from playing a character who was going through the dark tunnel of life." However, after this film, she was unsure of how to approach her next work and sometimes made missteps in her acting. 심은경은 "말이라는 틀에 갇혀" 슬럼프를 겪었습니다. 그녀는 평소 좋아하던 감독 미야케 쇼의 작품을 보고 "이건 내 이야기잖아"라고 생각했다고 합니다. 하지만 여전히 자신의 연기 방향을 찾지 못하고 있었습니다. Sim Eun-kyung felt "trapped in the framework of words" and went through a slump. She said that after watching the films of director Miyake Sho, whom she was a fan of, she thought, "This is my story." However, she was still unable to find the right direction for her acting. 이 영화는 로카르노영화제에서 대상인 황금표범상을 수상했고, 심은경은 싱가포르국제영화제 여우주연상 후보에 올랐습니다. 하지만 그녀는 여전히 자신의 연기 인생에 대한 고민을 해결하지 못하고 있었습니다. The film won the Golden Leopard, the top prize at the Locarno Film Festival, and Sim Eun-kyung was nominated for the Best Actress award at the Singapore International Film Festival. However, she was still struggling to resolve her doubts about her acting career. 심은경은 이 영화를 통해 자신의 삶을 반영하는 역할을 맡았지만, 오히려 연기에 대한 고민이 깊어졌습니다. 그녀는 언제쯤 이런 고민을 떨칠 수 있을지, 앞으로 어떤 길을 걸어갈지 고민하고 있었습니다. Through this film, Sim Eun-kyung took on a role that reflected her own life, but it only deepened her doubts about acting. She was wondering when she could overcome these doubts and what path she should take going forward. 4. Reading comprehension questions

1. Why did Sim Eun-kyung consider giving up acting?
2. How did the role in "Days and Nights of Traveling" affect her approach to her next work?
3. What did Sim Eun-kyung mean when she said she felt "trapped in the framework of words"?
4. What awards and nominations did the film "Days and Nights of Traveling" receive?
5. Despite the success of the film, what was Sim Eun-kyung still struggling with?

5. Cultural and historical notes Sim Eun-kyung is considered a "genius" actress in Korea, known for her exceptional talent and versatility. The article explores her personal struggles with the pressures and expectations that come with such a reputation. Her journey reflects the challenges that even acclaimed actors can face in finding fulfillment and direction in their careers.