Updated : 2026-01-19 15:00:40 KST
[ɪnˈfleɪtəbl]
Through a single photo at a time, we take a closer look at culture in Korea. This is K-Culture in Photos. Let's start off by reading this word together! Dongjanggun. In Korean, 'dong' means winter, and janggun means a general. So together, 'dongjanggun' literally means 'the winter general.' Koreans use this expression to describe biting, bone-chilling cold. When winter gets really harsh, people say, "dongjanggun is on the attack." Why a general? Because the cold feels powerful --almost like a fearsome commander making people shiver wherever he goes.
---------------------
biting, bone-chilling 살을 에는 듯한, 매우 극심한[뼈시린]
fearsome 무시무시한
---------------------
Interestingly, this expression is said to trace back to history, when Napoleon's army was defeated by Russia's brutal winter. And this winter in Korea? It's been so cold that even the sea has frozen. This is an icebreaker ship crushing thick sea ice to reopen shipping routes. Have you ever seen the ocean freezing like this? This is dongjanggun, very real, and on the attack in Korea right now. Let's take a look at this photo. Doesn't it feel like winter just by looking at it?" This isn't a restaurant, and it's not a street food stall either. It's a "convenience store."
----------------------
icebreaker ship 쇄빙선
-----------------------
In Korea, winter has its own comfort foods. Sweet roasted sweet potatoes warm fish cake soup , and soft steamed buns , with steam rising from the top. They don't just warm your hands. They somehow make you feel warm inside, too. What's interesting is that you can find all of these winter classics in one place quickly and easily, at a convenience store. Korean convenience stores are famous for having almost everything you need, even the taste of the season. That's why many foreign visitors include a 'convenience store tour' as part of their Korea trip.
-----------------------
soft steamed buns 부드러운 찐빵
-----------------------
So let me ask you. Which winter snack would you pick up first? These young men are sitting quietly, sleeves rolled up. They may look calm, but this moment is a big milestone in Korea. This is a military conscription checkup --a medical examination that most Korean men go through in their early twenties. It's not just a simple health check. There are psychological tests, blood tests, vision checks, and detailed medical exams. Based on the results, each person is classified --from active duty service to alternative service, or exemption.
----------------------
In Korea, military service is mandatory, and for many young men, this day marks the beginning of adulthood. This year, identity checks have become stricter, with digital ID and facial verification added to the process. In your country, what moment truly feels like becoming an adult? For young men in Korea, military service is seen as a rite of passage, a gate they know they must pass through. This man in the photo is holding his nose and jumping straight into the water. Just moments ago, you might have seen hesitation on that young face.
------------------------
identity checks 신원확인 검사
facial verification 얼굴 인증
rite of passage 통과 의례
------------------------
But at the command to "Jump," he shout the Marine Corps' signature cry – "Aak!" and leap five meters down without looking back. This is a scene from the Marine Corps camp in Korea. Every winter, the Republic of Korea Marine Corps opens its training grounds to civilians --middle and high school students, college students, and even adults. This year, more than 230 people took part. And yes, many of them are teenagers and women. Here, they train together --paddling inflatable boats, pushing through the cold, learning teamwork, resilience, and confidence.
--------------------------
inflatable [ɪnˈfleɪtəbl](공기나 가스로) 부풀리게 되어 있는
-------------------------
And here's another powerful image. Young participants lifting a rubber boat over their heads --faces still youthful, but expressions already serious. Experiences like the Marine Corps camp aren't just about physical training. They're about challenge, growth and discovering a stronger version of yourself. From the biting cold of winter, to small comforts, and moments of growing up and facing challenges through these images, we see how everyday moments shape life in Korea.
=================
영어 원문 출처 및 동영상 링크;
arirang news/Life/Culture
https://m.arirang.com/news/view?id=291689