It looks like you had a great birthday.

I wrote:

“In 2002, while taking intensive Korean classes at Korea U., one of our Korean teachers told us that…”

Damn, damn, damn.

The corrected sentence should read:

“In 2002, while I was taking intensive Korean classes at Korea U., one of our Korean teachers told us that,”

In shame,

Kevin

In your post, you ask about the name of that restaurant. The name is “Nolbu Myeong-ga.”

Quick breakdown:

Nolbu = name of a character in a famous folk tale about two brothers, Heungbu and Nolbu. Heungbu is the kind, giving, but poor one; Nolbu is the rich, stingy brother. (pronounce the “eu” in “Heungbu” like the “oo” in “book”)

Myeong = name (”eo” pronounced somewhere between “uh” and “aw”)

Ga = family

Myeong-ga = “a family of name,” i.e., a reputable family.

The restaurant’s name, then, might be more elegantly translated as “(The) Honorable House of Nolbu.”

The story of the two brothers sets Heungbu up as the good guy, while Nolbu and his evil wife suffer ill fortune due to their greed. (Ask a Korean friend for the full story; it’s pretty interesting; it involves magical items, birds, and a good deal of humor.)

In 2002, while taking intensive Korean classes at Korea U., one of our Korean teachers told us that, over the years, hearers of the tale began to be more sympathetic to Nolbu, the rich brother (perhaps a reflection of changing times, as Korea became more prosperous). Nolbu, after all, is the guy who had all the goods and could lay out a good spread for visiting noblemen. His name has become synonymous with plenty.

Me, I don’t quite get it, because by the end of the story it’s Heungbu who’s rich and Nolbu who has to beg. Heungbu, being unlike his greedy brother, willingly shares his possessions with Nolbu.

(Be prepared to hear alternate takes from different Koreans, though.)

Cheers,

Kevin