Reading Material: Tragic Familicide Case Sparks Heartbreak

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Korean Reading Practice

Reading Material: Tragic Familicide Case Sparks Heartbreak

Date: August 16, 2025

Introduction

This article discusses the tragic case of a middle-aged actor whose wife killed their three sons. The husband, Actor A, later appeared on a TV program to share his grief and confusion over the incident.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
중견배우 junggyeon baeu middle-aged actor The middle-aged actor A was the husband of the woman who killed their three sons.
살해 salhae to kill The woman killed her three sons.
남편 nampyeon husband The middle-aged actor A was the husband of the woman who killed their three sons.
면회 myeonhoe visitation The woman said she went to visit her sons, but they did not return.
가출 gachul runaway Two days later, Actor A reported to the police that his wife had run away with their sons.
공황장애 gonghwang jangae panic disorder After the incident, Actor A stopped his acting activities due to severe panic disorder.
근황 geunhwang current situation In September 2022, Actor A appeared on a TV program to share his current situation for the first time in about 10 years.
사채 sachae private loan Actor A said he did not know that his wife had taken out private loans while raising their sons.
bit debt Actor A said his wife had accumulated a lot of debt while raising their sons.
심경 simgyeong state of mind Through the broadcast, Actor A expressed his painful state of mind, saying "I am the criminal."

Reading Text

중견 탤런트 A씨의 아내 김씨는 지난 8월 자신의 세 아들을 살해했다. 사건 이후 A씨는 심한 공황장애로 배우 활동을 중단했지만, 지난 2022년 9월 TV 프로그램에 출연해 근황을 알렸다.

Actor A's wife, Ms. Kim, killed her three sons last August. After the incident, Actor A stopped his acting activities due to severe panic disorder, but he appeared on a TV program in September 2022 to share his current situation.

김씨는 아들들과 함께 가출했다가 이틀 후 경찰에 신고되었다. 아들들은 침대에 이불을 덮은 채 숨져 있었고, 김씨는 그 옆에서 멍하니 있었다고 한다.

Ms. Kim ran away with her sons, but they were reported to the police two days later. The sons were found dead in bed, covered with a blanket, and Ms. Kim was sitting beside them in a daze.

A씨는 자신이 죄인이라고 말하며 아내의 행동에 대한 이해의 어려움을 토로했다. 그는 아내가 아들들을 키우느라 많은 빚을 졌고 사채까지 사용했다는 사실을 몰랐다고 밝혔다.

Actor A expressed his difficulty in understanding his wife's actions, saying "I am the criminal." He revealed that he did not know his wife had accumulated a lot of debt and even taken out private loans while raising their sons.

아내의 범행 이후 A씨는 심한 공황장애로 고통받았다. 그는 약 10년 만에 방송에 출연해 근황을 전했지만, 아내의 살해 동기를 여전히 알지 못한다고 했다.

After his wife's crime, Actor A suffered from severe panic disorder. He appeared on a TV program for the first time in about 10 years to share his current situation, but he still does not know the motive behind his wife's killings.

Grammar Points

-(으)ㄴ 채(로) while (remaining in a state)

Attached to a verb stem to mean 'while remaining in the state of ~'. The action described is maintained as a background state.

📖 아들들은 침대에 이불을 덮은 채 숨져 있었고, 김씨는 그 옆에서 멍하니 있었다고 한다. The sons were found dead in bed with blankets covering them, and it is said that Kim was just blankly sitting beside them.

✏️ 그는 신발을 신은 채로 집에 들어왔어요. He came into the house with his shoes still on.

-느라고 because of (doing, negative result)

Attached to a verb stem to indicate that the action in the first clause is the reason or cause (often negative) for the result in the second clause.

📖 그는 아내가 아들들을 키우느라 많은 빚을 졌고 사채까지 사용했다는 사실을 몰랐다고 밝혔다. He revealed that he did not know that his wife had accumulated a lot of debt and even used private loans because of raising their sons.

✏️ 공부하느라 밥도 못 먹었어요. I couldn't even eat because I was busy studying.

Cultural Notes

This tragic case highlights the mental health challenges and financial struggles that can lead to devastating consequences. It also raises questions about the support systems available for families in crisis and the need for greater awareness and understanding of mental health issues in Korean society.

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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

Who killed the three sons in this case?

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Q2

How did Actor A describe his state of mind after the incident?

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Q3

What was the reason behind the wife's actions, according to Actor A?

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Q4

How long did Actor A stop his acting activities, and when did he appear on TV again?

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Q5

Does Actor A still know the reason why his wife killed their sons?

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