🌀

In the process of: -(으)ㄴ/는 와중에

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Advanced Grammar
🌀
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🌀 -(으)ㄴ/는 와중에 means “in the midst of…” or “while a busy/difficult situation is going on.”
  • 🌪️ It feels more dramatic than plain 도중에 (during) because 와중 points to a messy, intense, or complicated moment.
  • 🧩 Use -는 와중에 for ongoing actions, -(으)ㄴ 와중에 for completed/background states, and 바쁜 와중에 for descriptive states like “while busy.”
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence aloud. Try typing 바쁜 와중에도 도와줘서 고마워요. [ba-ppeun wa-jung-e-do do-wa-jwo-seo go-ma-wo-yo] (Thank you for helping even while you were busy.) 💌
 

🌈 The Big Picture

와중 means the middle of a situation, especially one that feels active, complicated, urgent, or emotionally loaded. Add 에 and it becomes 와중에 — “in the midst of…” 🌪️
 
This pattern is useful when two things overlap, but the background is not calm. It is the grammar of things happening while life is already juggling flaming oranges. 🍊🔥
 
Compare the feeling:
  • 회의하는 도중에 전화가 왔어요. [hoe-ui-ha-neun do-jung-e jeon-hwa-ga wa-sseo-yo] — A call came during the meeting. (neutral middle) ☎️
  • 회의가 길어지는 와중에 긴급 전화가 왔어요. [hoe-ui-ga gi-reo-ji-neun wa-jung-e gin-geup jeon-hwa-ga wa-sseo-yo] — An urgent call came in the midst of the meeting dragging on. (messier situation) 📞
 

🎨 The Core 와중에 Family

1. Action verb + -는 와중에

Use this when an action or situation is unfolding.
  • 회의가 길어지다 → 회의가 길어지는 와중에
      • [hoe-ui-ga gi-reo-ji-da → hoe-ui-ga gi-reo-ji-neun wa-jung-e]
      (the meeting gets longer → in the midst of the meeting dragging on) 🕰️
  • 문제가 생기다 → 문제가 생기는 와중에
      • [mun-je-ga saeng-gi-da → mun-je-ga saeng-gi-neun wa-jung-e]
      (a problem occurs → while problems are arising) 🧩
 

2. Completed/background action + -(으)ㄴ 와중에

Use this when the background situation has already happened and now surrounds the main event.
  • 사고가 나다 → 사고가 난 와중에
      • [sa-go-ga na-da → sa-go-ga nan wa-jung-e]
      (an accident happens → in the midst of an accident having occurred) 🚨
  • 일이 많아지다 → 일이 많아진 와중에
      • [i-ri ma-na-ji-da → i-ri ma-na-jin wa-jung-e]
      (work increases → in the midst of work having piled up) 📚
 

3. Descriptive verb/adjective + -(으)ㄴ 와중에

Use this for states like busy, difficult, chaotic, dangerous, or complicated.
  • 바쁘다 → 바쁜 와중에 [ba-ppeu-da → ba-ppeun wa-jung-e] (busy → while busy) 🐝
  • 어렵다 → 어려운 와중에 [eo-ryeop-da → eo-ryeo-un wa-jung-e] (difficult → amid difficulty) 🧗
  • 혼란스럽다 → 혼란스러운 와중에 [hol-lan-seu-reop-da → hol-lan-seu-reo-un wa-jung-e] (chaotic → amid confusion) 🌪️
 

4. 와중에도 = even in the midst of...

Add 도 when the second action is impressive, surprising, or contrasting.
  • 바쁜 와중에도 답장을 해 줬어요.
      • [ba-ppeun wa-jung-e-do dap-jang-eul hae jwo-sseo-yo]
      (They replied even while busy.) 💬
 

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

  • 비가 쏟아지는 와중에 길을 찾아야 했어요.
      • [bi-ga sso-da-ji-neun wa-jung-e gi-reul cha-ja-ya hae-sseo-yo]
      (I had to find the road in the midst of heavy rain pouring down.) 🌧️
      Notes: 비 = rain, 쏟아지다 = to pour down, 길 = road/way, 찾다 = to find.
  • 회의가 길어지는 와중에도 팀장은 차분하게 설명했어요.
      • [hoe-ui-ga gi-reo-ji-neun wa-jung-e-do tim-jang-eun cha-bun-ha-ge seol-myeong-hae-sseo-yo]
      (Even as the meeting was dragging on, the team lead explained calmly.) 🧑‍💼
      Notes: 회의 = meeting, 길어지다 = to get longer, 팀장 = team lead, 차분하게 = calmly, 설명하다 = to explain.
  • 혼란스러운 와중에 중요한 자료를 잃어버렸어요.
      • [hol-lan-seu-reo-un wa-jung-e jung-yo-han ja-ryo-reul i-reo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo]
      (I lost important materials amid the confusion.) 📄
      Notes: 혼란스럽다 = to be chaotic/confusing, 중요하다 = to be important, 자료 = materials/data, 잃어버리다 = to lose.
 

🧩 General Formation Rule

Build a noun-modifying clause before 와중에.
 
Ongoing action: verb stem + -는 와중에
  • 준비하다 → 준비하는 와중에 [jun-bi-ha-da → jun-bi-ha-neun wa-jung-e] (in the midst of preparing) 🎤
  • 정리하다 → 정리하는 와중에 [jeong-ni-ha-da → jeong-ni-ha-neun wa-jung-e] (in the midst of organizing) 🗂️
  • 이동하다 → 이동하는 와중에 [i-dong-ha-da → i-dong-ha-neun wa-jung-e] (in the midst of moving/traveling) 🚇
 
Completed/background action: verb stem + -(으)ㄴ 와중에
  • 사고가 나다 → 사고가 난 와중에 [sa-go-ga na-da → sa-go-ga nan wa-jung-e] (in the midst of an accident having happened) 🚨
  • 문제가 생기다 → 문제가 생긴 와중에 [mun-je-ga saeng-gi-da → mun-je-ga saeng-gin wa-jung-e] (in the midst of a problem having come up) 🧩
 
Descriptive state: adjective/descriptive verb stem + -(으)ㄴ 와중에
  • 바쁘다 → 바쁜 와중에 [ba-ppeu-da → ba-ppeun wa-jung-e] (while busy) 🐝
  • 어렵다 → 어려운 와중에 [eo-ryeop-da → eo-ryeo-un wa-jung-e] (amid difficulty) 🧗
  • 복잡하다 → 복잡한 와중에 [bok-ja-pa-da → bok-ja-pan wa-jung-e] (amid complexity) 🧵
 

🚨 Exception Rule(s)

  • ㅂ-irregular descriptive verbs change before -(으)ㄴ:
    • 어렵다 → 어려운 와중에 [eo-ryeop-da → eo-ryeo-un wa-jung-e] (amid difficulty)
    • 바쁘다 is not ㅂ-irregular here: 바쁜 와중에 [ba-ppeun wa-jung-e] (while busy).
  • ㄹ-ending action verbs drop ㄹ before 는:
    • 만들다 → 만드는 와중에 [man-deul-da → man-deu-neun wa-jung-e] (in the midst of making)
    • 살다 → 사는 와중에 [sal-da → sa-neun wa-jung-e] (in the midst of living)
 

📚 Cross-check note

The noun 와중 and the modifier forms above were checked against National Institute of Korean Language resources at korean.go.kr, including official dictionary/grammar reference pathways. ✅
 

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -는 도중에 = during / in the middle of an action; neutral and time-focused. ⏳
  • -는 과정에서 = in the process of doing; often formal, process/result-focused. 🛠️
  • -는 통에 = because of a disruptive ongoing situation; cause-result and often inconvenient. 🌀
  • -(으)ㄴ/는 와중에 = in the midst of a busy, difficult, chaotic, or tense situation; background circumstance with intensity. 🌪️
 

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 공부하다 와중에 → ✅ 공부하는 와중에 (Use a noun-modifying form before 와중.) 📚
  • ❌ 바쁘는 와중에 → ✅ 바쁜 와중에 (Descriptive verbs use -(으)ㄴ.) 🐝
  • ❌ Using 와중에 for every neutral “during” → ✅ Use it when the background feels busy, difficult, tense, or complicated. 🌪️
  • ❌ 회의하는 와중 alone at the end → ✅ 회의하는 와중에 / 회의하는 와중에도 (Keep the particle.) 🧩
  • ❌ Treating it exactly like -는 통에 → ✅ 통에 often explains an inconvenient cause; 와중에 highlights the intense background situation. 🧭
 
You now have a high-drama Korean connector for “while everything was already happening.” Use it for busy days, difficult moments, and beautifully controlled chaos. 🌀✨
 

Try this exercise

Instructions: Complete each sentence with the best 와중에 form. Say the sentence aloud, then open the Answer toggle to check the form and the nuance. 🎯
1. 바쁘＿＿＿＿ 답장을 해 줘서 고마워요.
[ba-ppeu-＿＿＿＿ dap-jang-eul hae jwo-seo go-ma-wo-yo]
Thank you for replying even while busy. 💬
Answer
바쁜 와중에도 — 바쁘다 becomes 바쁜; 도 adds “even.” 🐝
2. 비가 쏟아지＿＿＿＿ 길을 찾아야 했어요.
[bi-ga sso-da-ji-＿＿＿＿ gi-reul cha-ja-ya hae-sseo-yo]
I had to find the way in the midst of rain pouring down. 🌧️
Answer
쏟아지는 와중에 — ongoing action: verb stem + 는 와중에. 🌧️
3. 회의가 길어지＿＿＿＿ 긴급 전화가 왔어요.
[hoe-ui-ga gi-reo-ji-＿＿＿＿ gin-geup jeon-hwa-ga wa-sseo-yo]
An urgent call came while the meeting was dragging on. 📞
Answer
길어지는 와중에 — 길어지다 becomes 길어지는 와중에. 🕰️
4. 문제가 생기＿＿＿＿ 모두가 차분하게 움직였어요.
[mun-je-ga saeng-gi-＿＿＿＿ mo-du-ga cha-bun-ha-ge um-ji-gyeo-sseo-yo]
Everyone moved calmly while problems were arising. 🧩
Answer
생기는 와중에도 — 도 fits the contrast: problems arose, but people stayed calm. 🧘
5. 사고가 나＿＿＿＿ 직원들이 사람들을 도왔어요.
[sa-go-ga na-＿＿＿＿ jig-won-deu-ri sa-ram-deu-reul do-wa-sseo-yo]
The staff helped people in the midst of an accident having happened. 🚨
Answer
난 와중에 — completed background: 나다 → 난 와중에. 🚨
6. 어렵＿＿＿＿ 포기하지 않았어요.
[eo-ryeop-＿＿＿＿ po-gi-ha-ji a-na-sseo-yo]
I did not give up amid difficulty. 🧗
Answer
어려운 와중에도 — 어렵다 is ㅂ-irregular: 어려운. 🧗
7. 자료를 정리하＿＿＿＿ 중요한 메모를 찾았어요.
[ja-ryo-reul jeong-ni-ha-＿＿＿＿ jung-yo-han me-mo-reul cha-ja-sseo-yo]
I found an important memo in the midst of organizing the materials. 🗂️
Answer
정리하는 와중에 — 정리하다 becomes 정리하는 와중에. 📝
8. 혼란스럽＿＿＿＿ 안내 방송이 나왔어요.
[hol-lan-seu-reop-＿＿＿＿ an-nae bang-song-i na-wa-sseo-yo]
An announcement came out amid the confusion. 📢
Answer
혼란스러운 와중에 — ㅂ-irregular descriptive verb: 혼란스럽다 → 혼란스러운. 🌪️
9. 보고서를 만들＿＿＿＿ 오류를 발견했어요.
[bo-go-seo-reul man-deul-＿＿＿＿ o-ryu-reul bal-gyeon-hae-sseo-yo]
I found an error while making the report. 📑
Answer
만드는 와중에 — ㄹ drops before 는: 만들다 → 만드는. 🛠️
10. 복잡하＿＿＿＿ 핵심만 설명했어요.
[bok-ja-pa-＿＿＿＿ haek-sim-man seol-myeong-hae-sseo-yo]
I explained only the key point amid the complexity. 🧵
Answer
복잡한 와중에 — descriptive verb: 복잡하다 → 복잡한. 🧵
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 바쁘다 → to be busy
  • 답장 → reply
  • 비 → rain
  • 쏟아지다 → to pour down
  • 길 → road / way
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 길어지다 → to get longer
  • 긴급 전화 → urgent call
  • 문제 → problem
  • 생기다 → to arise / occur
  • 사고 → accident
  • 나다 → to happen / occur
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 혼란스럽다 → to be chaotic / confusing
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 복잡하다 → to be complicated
Tip 💡 Use 와중에도 when the second action happens despite the busy or difficult background.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below turns this little storm cloud into muscle memory. 🌩️
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — In the process of: -(으)ㄴ/는 와중에
 
Welcome to the 와중에 storm gym. 🌀 You’ll practice describing actions that happen amid busy, tense, difficult, or chaotic circumstances — the grammar version of “I handled it while everything else was on fire, politely.” 🔥
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a completed sentence aloud.
 
📝 Instructions: Fill each blank with the best 와중에 form, read the full sentence aloud, then check the Answer toggle. Pay attention to whether the background is ongoing, completed, descriptive, or contrastive with 도.
 
Reference Mini-Hub 🧭
  • Ongoing action → -는 와중에
  • Completed/background action → -(으)ㄴ 와중에
  • Descriptive state → -(으)ㄴ 와중에
  • Contrast / “even amid” → 와중에도
 

Exercise 1 — Ongoing Action Forms 🧩

A. 자료를 확인하＿＿＿＿ 새 오류를 발견했어요.
[ja-ryo-reul hwa-gi-na-＿＿＿＿ sae o-ryu-reul bal-gyeon-hae-sseo-yo]
I found a new error in the midst of checking the materials. 🔎
Answer
확인하는 와중에 — ongoing action: 확인하다 → 확인하는 와중에. 🔎
B. 회의를 준비하＿＿＿＿ 일정이 바뀌었어요.
[hoe-ui-reul jun-bi-ha-＿＿＿＿ il-jeong-i ba-kkwi-eo-sseo-yo]
The schedule changed while preparing the meeting. 📅
Answer
준비하는 와중에 — 준비하다 becomes 준비하는 와중에. 🎤
C. 문제를 해결하＿＿＿＿ 더 큰 문제가 생겼어요.
[mun-je-reul hae-gyeol-ha-＿＿＿＿ deo keun mun-je-ga saeng-gyeo-sseo-yo]
A bigger problem arose in the midst of solving the problem. 🧩
Answer
해결하는 와중에 — 해결하다 becomes 해결하는 와중에. 🧩
D. 보고서를 쓰＿＿＿＿ 전화가 계속 왔어요.
[bo-go-seo-reul sseu-＿＿＿＿ jeon-hwa-ga gye-sok wa-sseo-yo]
Calls kept coming while I was writing the report. ☎️
Answer
쓰는 와중에 — 쓰다 becomes 쓰는 와중에. ✍️
E. 파일을 정리하＿＿＿＿ 중요한 사진을 찾았어요.
[pa-i-reul jeong-ni-ha-＿＿＿＿ jung-yo-han sa-ji-neul cha-ja-sseo-yo]
I found an important photo while organizing files. 🗂️
Answer
정리하는 와중에 — 정리하다 becomes 정리하는 와중에. 🖼️
F. 손님을 안내하＿＿＿＿ 길이 막혔어요.
[son-ni-meul an-nae-ha-＿＿＿＿ gi-ri ma-kyeo-sseo-yo]
The road got blocked while guiding the guest. 🧭
Answer
안내하는 와중에 — 안내하다 becomes 안내하는 와중에. 🧭
G. 계획을 세우＿＿＿＿ 의견 차이가 생겼어요.
[gye-hoe-geul se-u-＿＿＿＿ ui-gyeon cha-i-ga saeng-gyeo-sseo-yo]
A difference of opinion arose while making the plan. 🗺️
Answer
세우는 와중에 — 세우다 becomes 세우는 와중에. 🗺️
H. 짐을 옮기＿＿＿＿ 비가 오기 시작했어요.
[ji-meul ol-gi-＿＿＿＿ bi-ga o-gi si-ja-kae-sseo-yo]
It started raining while moving the luggage. 🧳
Answer
옮기는 와중에 — 옮기다 becomes 옮기는 와중에. 🧳
I. 대책을 논의하＿＿＿＿ 알림이 울렸어요.
[dae-chae-geul no-nui-ha-＿＿＿＿ al-li-mi ul-lyeo-sseo-yo]
A notification rang while discussing countermeasures. 🔔
Answer
논의하는 와중에 — 논의하다 becomes 논의하는 와중에. 🗣️
J. 상황을 설명하＿＿＿＿ 질문이 나왔어요.
[sang-hwang-eul seol-myeong-ha-＿＿＿＿ jil-mu-ni na-wa-sseo-yo]
A question came up while explaining the situation. ❓
Answer
설명하는 와중에 — 설명하다 becomes 설명하는 와중에. 🗣️
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 자료 → materials / data
  • 확인하다 → to check
  • 오류 → error
  • 발견하다 → to discover
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 준비하다 → to prepare
  • 일정 → schedule
  • 바뀌다 → to change
  • 문제 → problem
  • 해결하다 → to solve
  • 보고서 → report
  • 쓰다 → to write
  • 정리하다 → to organize
  • 안내하다 → to guide
  • 세우다 → to make / establish
  • 옮기다 → to move
  • 논의하다 → to discuss
  • 설명하다 → to explain
  • 와중에 → in the midst of
Tip 💡 Ongoing actions usually take -는 와중에.

Exercise 2 — Completed Background + -(으)ㄴ 와중에 🚨

A. 사고가 나＿＿＿＿ 안내 방송이 나왔어요.
[sa-go-ga na-＿＿＿＿ an-nae bang-song-i na-wa-sseo-yo]
An announcement came out amid an accident having happened. 🚨
Answer
난 와중에 — completed background: 나다 → 난 와중에. 🚨
B. 문제가 생기＿＿＿＿ 모두가 침착했어요.
[mun-je-ga saeng-gi-＿＿＿＿ mo-du-ga chim-cha-kae-sseo-yo]
Everyone stayed calm amid a problem having arisen. 🧘
Answer
생긴 와중에도 — completed background plus contrast: 문제가 생긴 와중에도. 🧩
C. 일이 많아지＿＿＿＿ 팀장이 도와줬어요.
[i-ri ma-na-ji-＿＿＿＿ tim-jang-i do-wa-jwo-sseo-yo]
The team lead helped amid work having piled up. 📚
Answer
많아진 와중에 — 많아지다 → 많아진 와중에. 📚
D. 상황이 복잡해지＿＿＿＿ 핵심을 정리했어요.
[sang-hwang-i bok-ja-kae-ji-＿＿＿＿ haek-si-meul jeong-ni-hae-sseo-yo]
I organized the key points amid the situation having become complicated. 🧵
Answer
복잡해진 와중에 — 복잡해지다 → 복잡해진 와중에. 🧵
E. 회의가 취소되＿＿＿＿ 새 장소를 찾았어요.
[hoe-ui-ga chwi-so-doe-＿＿＿＿ sae jang-so-reul cha-ja-sseo-yo]
We found a new place amid the meeting having been canceled. 📍
Answer
취소된 와중에 — 취소되다 → 취소된 와중에. 📅
F. 파일이 사라지＿＿＿＿ 백업을 확인했어요.
[pa-i-ri sa-ra-ji-＿＿＿＿ bae-geo-beul hwa-gi-nae-sseo-yo]
I checked the backup amid the file having disappeared. 💾
Answer
사라진 와중에 — 사라지다 → 사라진 와중에. 💾
G. 길이 막히＿＿＿＿ 지하철을 탔어요.
[gi-ri ma-ki-＿＿＿＿ ji-ha-cheo-reul ta-sseo-yo]
I took the subway amid the road having gotten blocked. 🚇
Answer
막힌 와중에 — completed/background state: 막히다 → 막힌. 🚗
H. 전화가 끊기＿＿＿＿ 다시 연락했어요.
[jeon-hwa-ga kkeun-ki-＿＿＿＿ da-si yeol-la-kae-sseo-yo]
I contacted them again amid the call having cut out. ☎️
Answer
끊긴 와중에 — 끊기다 → 끊긴 와중에. ☎️
I. 비가 그치＿＿＿＿ 바람은 계속 불었어요.
[bi-ga geu-chi-＿＿＿＿ ba-ra-meun gye-sok bu-reo-sseo-yo]
Even after the rain had stopped, the wind kept blowing amid the situation. 🌬️
Answer
그친 와중에도 — 그치다 → 그친 와중에도. 🌧️
J. 계획이 바뀌＿＿＿＿ 발표를 이어 갔어요.
[gye-hoe-gi ba-kkwi-＿＿＿＿ bal-pyo-reul i-eo ga-sseo-yo]
We continued the presentation amid the plan having changed. 🎤
Answer
바뀐 와중에도 — completed background plus contrast: 바뀌다 → 바뀐 와중에도. 🗺️
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 사고 → accident
  • 나다 → to happen / occur
  • 안내 방송 → announcement
  • 문제 → problem
  • 생기다 → to arise
  • 침착하다 → to be calm
  • 일 → work
  • 많아지다 → to increase / pile up
  • 상황 → situation
  • 복잡해지다 → to become complicated
  • 취소되다 → to be canceled
  • 사라지다 → to disappear
  • 막히다 → to be blocked
  • 끊기다 → to cut out / be disconnected
  • 그치다 → to stop
  • 바뀌다 → to change
Tip 💡 Completed/background actions often use -(으)ㄴ 와중에.

Exercise 3 — Descriptive States + Intense Backgrounds 🌪️

A. 바쁘＿＿＿＿ 메시지를 확인했어요.
[ba-ppeu-＿＿＿＿ me-si-ji-reul hwa-gi-nae-sseo-yo]
I checked the message even while busy. 💬
Answer
바쁜 와중에도 — 바쁘다 → 바쁜 와중에도. 🐝
B. 어렵＿＿＿＿ 포기하지 않았어요.
[eo-ryeop-＿＿＿＿ po-gi-ha-ji a-na-sseo-yo]
I did not give up amid difficulty. 🧗
Answer
어려운 와중에도 — ㅂ-irregular: 어렵다 → 어려운. 🧗
C. 혼란스럽＿＿＿＿ 안내를 들었어요.
[hol-lan-seu-reop-＿＿＿＿ an-nae-reul deu-reo-sseo-yo]
I listened to the guidance amid the confusion. 📢
Answer
혼란스러운 와중에 — ㅂ-irregular: 혼란스럽다 → 혼란스러운. 🌪️
D. 복잡하＿＿＿＿ 결정을 빨리 했어요.
[bok-ja-pa-＿＿＿＿ gyeol-jeong-eul ppal-li hae-sseo-yo]
I made the decision quickly amid complexity. 🧵
Answer
복잡한 와중에 — 복잡하다 → 복잡한 와중에. 🧵
E. 위험하＿＿＿＿ 모두를 밖으로 안내했어요.
[wi-heo-ma-＿＿＿＿ mo-du-reul ba-kkeu-ro an-nae-hae-sseo-yo]
I guided everyone outside amid danger. 🚪
Answer
위험한 와중에 — 위험하다 → 위험한 와중에. ⚠️
F. 정신없＿＿＿＿ 약속을 기억했어요.
[jeong-si-neop-＿＿＿＿ yak-so-geul gi-eo-kae-sseo-yo]
I remembered the appointment even while things were hectic. 🗓️
Answer
정신없는 와중에도 — 정신없다 → 정신없는 와중에도. 🤯
G. 시끄럽＿＿＿＿ 설명을 들었어요.
[si-kkeu-reop-＿＿＿＿ seol-myeong-eul deu-reo-sseo-yo]
I listened to the explanation amid the noise. 🔊
Answer
시끄러운 와중에 — ㅂ-irregular: 시끄럽다 → 시끄러운. 🔊
H. 급하＿＿＿＿ 예의를 지켰어요.
[geu-pa-＿＿＿＿ ye-ui-reul ji-kyeo-sseo-yo]
I kept my manners even while in a hurry. 🙇
Answer
급한 와중에도 — 급하다 → 급한 와중에도. ⏱️
I. 불편하＿＿＿＿ 끝까지 기다렸어요.
[bul-pyeo-na-＿＿＿＿ kkeut-kka-ji gi-da-ryeo-sseo-yo]
I waited until the end even amid discomfort. 🪑
Answer
불편한 와중에도 — 불편하다 → 불편한 와중에도. 🪑
J. 피곤하＿＿＿＿ 자료를 검토했어요.
[pi-go-na-＿＿＿＿ ja-ryo-reul geom-to-hae-sseo-yo]
I reviewed the materials even while tired. 😴
Answer
피곤한 와중에도 — 피곤하다 → 피곤한 와중에도. 😴
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 바쁘다 → to be busy
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 혼란스럽다 → to be chaotic / confusing
  • 복잡하다 → to be complicated
  • 위험하다 → to be dangerous
  • 정신없다 → to be hectic / frantic
  • 시끄럽다 → to be noisy
  • 급하다 → to be urgent / in a hurry
  • 불편하다 → to be uncomfortable
  • 피곤하다 → to be tired
  • 와중에도 → even in the midst of
Tip 💡 Descriptive states use -(으)ㄴ 와중에, and several ㅂ-irregulars become -운.

Exercise 4 — Choose the Best Connector 🧭

A. Choose the best sentence for “A call came during the meeting” in a neutral way.
① 회의하는 도중에 전화가 왔어요.
② 회의하는 와중에 전화가 왔어요.
Answer
① 회의하는 도중에 전화가 왔어요. — neutral “during” fits best. ⏳
B. Choose the best sentence for “An urgent call came while the meeting was dragging on.”
① 회의가 길어지는 와중에 긴급 전화가 왔어요.
② 회의가 길어지는 동안 밥을 먹었어요.
Answer
① 회의가 길어지는 와중에 긴급 전화가 왔어요. — messy ongoing background. 📞
C. Choose the best sentence for “I learned a new method in the process of solving the problem.”
① 문제를 해결하는 과정에서 새 방법을 배웠어요.
② 문제를 해결하는 와중에 새 방법을 배웠어요.
Answer
① 문제를 해결하는 과정에서 새 방법을 배웠어요. — discovery inside a process. 🛠️
D. Choose the best sentence for “Because calls kept coming, I couldn’t finish the work.”
① 전화가 계속 오는 통에 일을 못 끝냈어요.
② 전화가 계속 오는 와중에 일을 못 끝냈어요.
Answer
① 전화가 계속 오는 통에 일을 못 끝냈어요. — clear inconvenient cause-result. ☎️
E. Choose the best sentence for “Even while busy, the manager explained calmly.”
① 바쁜 와중에도 팀장이 차분하게 설명했어요.
② 바쁘는 도중에도 팀장이 차분하게 설명했어요.
Answer
① 바쁜 와중에도 팀장이 차분하게 설명했어요. — descriptive state + contrast. 🧑‍💼
F. Choose the best sentence for “I found an error while reviewing the report.”
① 보고서를 검토하는 과정에서 오류를 발견했어요.
② 보고서를 검토하다 와중에 오류를 발견했어요.
Answer
① 보고서를 검토하는 과정에서 오류를 발견했어요.. The second is malformed. 📑
G. Choose the best sentence for “The staff helped people amid the confusion.”
① 혼란스러운 와중에 직원들이 사람들을 도왔어요.
② 혼란스럽는 동안 직원들이 사람들을 도왔어요.
Answer
① 혼란스러운 와중에 직원들이 사람들을 도왔어요. — chaotic background. 🌪️
H. Choose the best sentence for “I studied while listening to music.”
① 음악을 들으면서 공부했어요.
② 음악을 듣는 와중에 공부했어요.
Answer
① 음악을 들으면서 공부했어요. — simple simultaneous actions. 🎧
I. Choose the best sentence for “I kept working even amid difficulty.”
① 어려운 와중에도 계속 일했어요.
② 어렵는 와중에도 계속 일했어요.
Answer
① 어려운 와중에도 계속 일했어요. — correct ㅂ-irregular form. 🧗
J. Choose the best sentence for “A problem occurred in the process of changing the plan.”
① 계획을 바꾸는 과정에서 문제가 생겼어요.
② 계획을 바꾸는 길에 문제가 생겼어요.
Answer
① 계획을 바꾸는 과정에서 문제가 생겼어요. — process-focused. 🗺️
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 도중에 → during / in the middle of
  • 과정에서 → in the process of
  • 통에 → because of a disruptive situation
  • 와중에 → amid / in the midst of
  • 동안 → during a time period
  • 면서 → while doing together
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 전화 → phone call
  • 일 → work
  • 팀장 → team lead / manager
  • 오류 → error
  • 혼란스럽다 → to be chaotic
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 계획 → plan
Tip 💡 Choose 와중에 when the background feels intense, not merely simultaneous.

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 공부하다 와중에 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
[gong-bu-ha-da wa-jung-e → ＿＿＿＿]
Fix “in the midst of studying.” 📚
Answer
공부하는 와중에 — use the noun-modifying form before 와중. 📚
B. ❌ 바쁘는 와중에 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
[ba-ppeu-neun wa-jung-e → ＿＿＿＿]
Fix “while busy.” 🐝
Answer
바쁜 와중에 — 바쁘다 is descriptive: 바쁜. 🐝
C. ❌ 어렵은 와중에도 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
[eo-ryeo-beun wa-jung-e-do → ＿＿＿＿]
Fix “even amid difficulty.” 🧗
Answer
어려운 와중에도 — ㅂ-irregular: 어렵다 → 어려운. 🧗
D. ❌ 만들는 와중에 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
[man-deul-neun wa-jung-e → ＿＿＿＿]
Fix “in the midst of making.” 🛠️
Answer
만드는 와중에 — ㄹ drops before 는. 🛠️
E. ❌ 회의하는 와중 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
[hoe-ui-ha-neun wa-jung → ＿＿＿＿]
Fix the phrase so it can connect to a sentence. 🧩
Answer
회의하는 와중에 — keep the particle 에. 🧩
F. 혼란스러운 와중에도 모두가 서로 도왔어요.
[hol-lan-seu-reo-un wa-jung-e-do mo-du-ga seo-ro do-wa-sseo-yo]
Translate the sentence. 🤝
Answer
Even amid the confusion, everyone helped one another. 🌪️
G. 사고가 난 와중에 안내 방송이 나왔어요.
[sa-go-ga nan wa-jung-e an-nae bang-song-i na-wa-sseo-yo]
Translate the sentence. 📢
Answer
An announcement came out in the midst of an accident having occurred. 🚨
H. Choose the natural sentence.
① 급한 와중에도 예의를 지켰어요.
② 급하는 와중에도 예의를 지켰어요.
Answer
① 급한 와중에도 예의를 지켰어요. — 급하다 → 급한. ⏱️
I. Choose the better nuance for plain “during vacation.”
① 방학 동안
② 방학 와중에
Answer
① 방학 동안 — vacation is a time period; 와중에 would sound like something intense or complicated was happening. 🏖️
J. -(으)ㄴ/는 와중에 is best when:
Answer
You want to say something happened amid a busy, difficult, chaotic, tense, or complicated background situation. 🌀
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 공부하다 → to study
  • 바쁘다 → to be busy
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 회의하다 → to have a meeting
  • 혼란스럽다 → to be chaotic / confusing
  • 서로 → one another
  • 돕다 → to help
  • 사고 → accident
  • 나다 → to happen
  • 안내 방송 → announcement
  • 급하다 → to be urgent / in a hurry
  • 예의 → manners
  • 지키다 → to keep / follow
  • 방학 → vacation
  • 동안 → during
  • 와중에 → amid / in the midst of
Tip 💡 Final check: 와중에 loves intensity; 동안 simply loves time.
 
🎉 You finished the 와중에 storm course. Now you can say what happened amid the chaos, not just what happened “during” something. Very advanced, very useful, very “calm person holding an umbrella in a grammar tornado.” ☂️🌪️