Starbucks Controversy Ignites High School Baseball Scandal in Korea
Introduction
Vocabulary
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 학교 | hakgyo | school | 배재 고등학교는 유명해요.Baejae High School is famous. |
| 야구 | yagu | baseball | 야구 경기가 있어요.There is a baseball game. |
| 선수 | seonsu | athlete/player | 선수들이 많아요.There are many players. |
| 응원 | eungwon | support/cheer | 응원 현수막을 보냈어요.They sent a support banner. |
| 현수막 | hyeonsubak | banner | 현수막에 글씨가 있어요.There is writing on the banner. |
| 챔피언십 | chaempieonsip | championship | 전국 챔피언십이 있어요.There is a national championship. |
| 비판 | bipan | criticism | 비판이 많았어요.There was much criticism. |
| 금지 | geumji | ban/prohibition | 6개월 금지를 받았어요.They received a 6-month ban. |
| 사과 | sagwa | apology | 사과를 하러 가요.They go to apologize. |
| 방문 | bangmun | visit | 묘지를 방문해요.They visit the cemetery. |
| 학생 | haksaeng | student | 학생들이 노래했어요.The students sang. |
| 5월 | owol | May | 5월 18일은 중요해요.May 18 is important. |
Reading Text
배재 고등학교 야구 선수들이 노래를 불렀어요.
Baejae High School baseball players sang a song.
그 노래는 스타벅스를 말했어요.
The song mentioned Starbucks.
국회의원이 응원 현수막을 보냈어요.
A member of parliament sent a support banner.
현수막에는 "5월 18일과 스타벅스가 무슨 관계예요?"라고 썼어요.
The banner said "What does Starbucks have to do with May 18?"
야구 협회가 배재 고등학교 팀을 6개월 금지했어요.
The baseball association banned Baejae High School's team for 6 months.
배재 고등학교는 2명의 학생을 징계 위원회에 보냈어요.
Baejae High School referred 2 students to the disciplinary committee.
5월 6일에 야구 선수들과 교장 선생님과 학부모들이 광주로 가요.
On May 6, baseball players, the principal, coaches, and parents go to Gwangju.
그들은 사과하고 5월 18일 묘지를 방문해요.
They apologize and visit the May 18 cemetery.
Grammar Points
-고 and (then)
Connects two verbs/actions in sequence: 'and (then)'. Attach -고 to the verb stem.
📖 그들은 사과하고 5월 18일 묘지를 방문해요. They apologize and visit the May 18th cemetery.
✏️ 저는 밥을 먹고 산책해요. I eat and then take a walk.
와/과 and (nouns)
Used between nouns to mean 'and'. 과 is used after a consonant-ending noun, 와 after a vowel-ending noun.
📖 5월 6일에 야구 선수들과 교장 선생님과 학부모들이 광주로 가요. On May 6th, the baseball players, the principal, and the parents go to Gwangju.
✏️ 저는 친구와 영화를 봐요. I watch a movie with a friend.
Cultural Notes
May 18 is a significant date in Korean history, commemorating the May 18 Democratic Uprising of 1980 in Gwangju, a tragic event where many civilians lost their lives. This historical tragedy is deeply respected in Korean society, and any perceived trivializing of it—such as through inappropriate commercial marketing or disrespectful chants—is considered highly offensive. Understanding this historical sensitivity helps foreign learners appreciate why this baseball incident caused such serious consequences and why the school felt obligated to make a formal apology and visit the memorial cemetery.
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