Names, names, names

Park Eun-bin from Extraordinary Attorney Woo

I think Koreans have an interesting relationship with their names. As a remider, last names are always listed first in Korea with their first names coming after... so Lisa Marie Presley would be Presley Lisa Marie in Korea. It's important to remember this little tidbit.

So what's different? Firstly, their given names are regulated.... they have to follow guidelines such as no offensive names, no famous people names, etc. Also, the first names cannot be more than 5 letters long.... no Stephanies or Bartholemews in Korea! Generally their first names are written as two words and are two syllables. So my name would be Ju-dy.

Next, the first names typically have some sort of meaning. For example, Attorney Woo's star Park Eun-bin's first name means shining. The lead actor from Descendents of the Sun Song Joong-ki's first name is associated with honor, strength, & resilience. In Kdramas you will hear the actors say things like "I'm strong and beautiful...just like my name." Obviously as English speakers we do not pick up on these nuances!

Song Joong-ki looking honorable...

Also, something I find interesting is how often they change their names. I honestly don't know if these are legally changed or they just 'use' a different name but the list includes

Gong Yoo's real name is Gong Ji-chul

Park Seo-joon's real name is Park Yong-gyu

Cha Eun-woo's real name is Lee Dong-min

Marilyn Monroe's real name was Norma Jeane Mortensen (I threw that it in to see if you're still reading...)

Gong Yoo of Guardian: the Lonely and Great God fame

Sometimes they do this to distinguish themselves from others with the same name, or because they want a 'stage name' but I think it's far more common in Korea to do this than it is in the US.

For anyone who has watched Kdramas you quickly pick up on the fact when the names are said aloud they add syllables at the end. Ju-dy becomes Ju-dy-ah or Ju-dy-shi or Ju-dy-nim. Those add on syllables are honorifics; nim being the most respectful. It takes about 6 months to realize this and it will eventually help you to make sense of the sounds you are hearing!

And lastly, Koreans oftentimes use titles or positions instead of names when talking. In the US we rarely do this! For example, in Misty, the lead's character is Go Hye-ran but invariably her co-workers call her Sunbae; which means someone with more experience. The term Unni is used when addressing your older sister; Oppa is used when addressing your older brother (or someone you have a romantic interest in)... and of course a Gmama is called Halmeoni! ~ Judy

Halmeoni aka Grandma Judy to her grandkids, favorite mom to her children, and one of the Gmamas to her fans!