Korean Reading Exercises - Part 2

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Hello there! 잘 지냈어? (How are you?) I have been from a veeeeeerryyyy very long hiatus and I decided to come back. I am now a full-fledged doctor and I am currently working as one, in a nearby hospital. How have you been? As continuation from our first Korean Reading Exercise , I would like to present to you another batch of Korean words that you can try practicing on! Are you ready to practice your Korean? If you want to reinforce your knowledge about reading Hangul, you may proceed to this post on how to read and write Hangul to refresh your mind! From now on, our reading (and writing) exercises will feature a specific theme so as to make things easier to read and understand! For this Korean reading exercise, we will feature one of Korea's highlights - their food. Let's read, read, read Korean!! FIRST ROUND: Basic Korean food Korean food is one of the highlights of Korean culture - without their sumptuous and delicious food, their culture will not infiltrate

What's your Korean name?

There are several websites and Facebook applications that give you your "Korean name", just input your real name, and after a click, "ta-da", your instant Korean name. However, click the button again, and you are given another set of a Korean name. Quite intriguing, isn't it?

If you will ask me, getting a Korean name isn't easy as clicking a button. As compared to English names or Filipino names, they also need to be thought of carefully, in order for you to get the name you wanted for your child. These names may determine their future, and possibly how they will be treated in the future. Imagine yourself named as Crap Smith, would you be happy with that? Of course, no. That's why names should be thought of carefully before giving it to your child.


So what's with a Korean name? We normally encounter Korean names such as Lee Min-ho, Song Hye-kyeong, Dong-hae, and many more in the K-pop industry and in Korean dramas. Did you know that the first word you encounter is their surname? As Koreans start from general to specific when it comes to names, that's why they start with the surname. Taking the name of Lee Min-ho, that means that Lee is his surname, and Min-ho is his first name.

There was a patient before who named her son Lee Min. Looking from the first name that she gave, I told her "You took that from Lee Min-ho, didn't you?", and she smiled and said "Yes." Well, I could've told her that Lee is a surname in Korea, but the name is already in the child's birth certificate, and I can't do anything about it.

Their first names are also being carefully thought of. Some names even have their meaning. Take "Ha-seon", a first name, as an example. It is composed of two Korean words joined together to form a first name. "Ha" is taken from the word "Haneul" which is "heaven" in Korea, and "Seonmul", which is "gift" in Korea. Considering both words, the name "Ha-seon" means "Gift from heaven". What a sweet name.

So what's your Korean name? I had one of my students give me my Korean name. Jang Jun-ho, which is his whole name. I asked him why he gave me such, and he told me that he wants both of us to have the same name because we are friends. Nice name, eh?

Another Korean name trivia. How they are written in Romanized form (the letters that we usually use, like Lee, Song, Lim), are not exactly how they are read in Korean. For example:


  • Lee - this is a very famous Korean surname, and the way we pronounce it, "Li" is not the proper way to do it. It is pronounced in Korea as "Ee". So read "Lee Min-ho" as "Ee Min-ho." 
  • Lim - this is not quite famous, but is a Korean surname too. Same as above, it's not pronounced as "Lim", but is read as "Im". 
  • Jang - it may or may not be pronounced as "Jang", but is most commonly read as "Chang" in Korea. 
  • Choi - we will read it as "Choy", the way we see it, but it's not read as it is. Koreans read it as "Chwe". 
  • Park - we usually read it as "Park" outside Korea, but is read as "Phhak" in Korea.
  • Kim - this is another famous Korean name. It may or may not be pronounced as "Kim" outside, but is more pronounced as "Gim" inside.



Another trivia again, (oh, I love trivias!) the surnames "Lee, Park, and Kim" are the most famous Korean surnames.

So, did you get some info about Korean names? You might want to get your Korean name from a Korean himself, for a more meaningful, more suitable name for you! And for those who want their own custom-made Korean name, I have prepared a small contest below, where 10 lucky readers can win their own custom-made Korean name~!! Join now!!~~
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Note: The Korean names being given in this blog are names that are meant for fun and enjoyment, and can't be used in legal documents, like letters and certificates. Thanks!

Comments

  1. ah..This is nice. It's cool to have some trivias about it too.
    I have a korean friend who gave me a korean name as well. My korean name is Lee Woo Min, i really don't remember what it means, but i'm sure she told me what it was.haha. Nevertheless, i like it anyways 'cause i get to have the same surname as Lee Taemin, my idol. :)

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    1. That's great! Anyway, your Korean name is written as 이우민! Enjoy!

      Delete
  2. I see...so cool! My name is Priscilla. I don't know about the meaning but when I search about it, it says the meaning is ancient. Can you help make a korean name? I would really want one. It doesn't really matter about the surname but I want to know the meaning of 'Choi'.

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    1. Hi Priscilla! First of all, the surname Choi "최" means "pinnacle" or "summit". As your surname is Ching, it seems, I might as well choose Choi as your surname, as they are almost the same.. Breaking your name down, Pri and Scilla, I think I can give you the name "Shin" (Scilla) and "Bi" (pri)..

      So your Korean name is, 최신비 (Choi Shin Bi)~
      Enjoy your name!

      Delete
    2. Please help me find my korean name
      My english name is
      Paula Valdecanas
      Quite a wierd name isnt it?

      Delete
  3. Thank you! But my surname is actually Tham and Ching is just my last name. My last two name is chinese which means 'love'. I like your blog. I think I'll subscribe your blog.

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    1. Ohhh, thank you Priscilla! Stay tuned for more Korean thoughts!

      Delete
  4. Hyo mee song...
    Or song hyo mee.
    I'm pretty sure the song is the surname?

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    1. It is, indeed. Written in Hangul, it is 송효미 (Song Hyo Mi). Good day!

      Delete
  5. kyaa~~ this whole thing is so daebak^^
    lol, anyway can you help me though?
    I want my surname to be Han cause my surname is Tanduba (its a combination of Tan Du Ba, a chinese name, that my ancestor put together)so in other words, my surname is Tan.
    I looked for the meaning of my name Rebecca and it means truly beautiful, friendly and fun. On the other hand, my name Marie means beautiful and smart.
    All this while I've been going around with the name Han Be Ki, since my nickname is Becky.
    But I would really like to know my actual Korean name, so thanks in advance^^v

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  6. Hi! I'm always so curious to what my korean name is. Can you help me? My name is Maribelle Madalag. I would also want to know the meaning of my korean name. Thank you :)

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    1. Hi, Maribelle, thanks for dropping by~!

      Looking at your name, I would recommend giving you the Korean name: Ahn Ma Ri. 안마리. Ahn, the surname (안) means tranquil, while the first name, Ma Ri (마리), means "premier" (or top rank, leading).

      Enjoy your Korean name! Be sure to follow TheKoreanThoughts!

      Delete
  7. Hi^^
    I would like to know my Korean name please. I remember posting my name request here but I'm not sure if it managed to be posted or not.
    My name's Rebecca Marie; Rebecca which means 'to bind' and Marie which means 'bitter'.
    My family name is Tanduba. Tanduba is a combinations of my ancestor's name which is Tan Du Ba {Chinese name}, so in other words my surname is Tan.
    I have been using the Korean surname 'Han' since its the closest to Tan. Han Be Ki is the Korean name I made up for myself because Becky is my nickname and Beki is the Korean version of Becky.
    But I'm curious as to see what is my real Korean name would be. Oh and thanks in advance^^

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    1. First of all, thanks for visiting the KoreanThoughts!

      Second, I would like to remind all of our readers that real Korean names are given to Koreans by their parents, and might be their name forever.. However, a Korean can also give you your Korean name based on your personality and such.

      So, let's see. The name you have chosen for yourself is quite good, let's derive your Korean name from that! Han is a good surname, with it being close to your own. Second, we can transform Beki to "Baek Hee". Han is a name of a Chinese Dynasty. Baek means "Enigmatic" (or mysterious, something like that), while Hee means "Pleasure". If we write it in Hangul, it's 한백희. Way to go, Baek Hee-ah! :)

      고마워요!~

      Delete
  8. THANK YOU SO MUCH ^^
    the funny thing is before I put my name to Beki, I thought about putting it to Baekhee, but decided against it after realising that there's a character in Dream High that has the same name and I...uh..sort of.. haha
    anyway, thanks~

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    1. Oh I remember that drama too! Uhmm.. I will think of a better name for you, if you don't like Baek Hee. :) However, as the blogger is busy, it might take some little time, OK? Please stay tuned.

      고마워요!~

      Delete
    2. I have a korean name too ~ its Lee KyuRen .. kyu is from Kyuhyun, a korean singer that I admire .. and Ren from my first name .. is it too weird? How do I write this in hangul?

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    3. Hi Renata! You have chosen a really good name. It is written in Hangul as 이규렌. Have fun!~

      Delete
    4. Hi Rebecca! Sorry for the really really really long delay. Hope you don't mind.

      Let's see.. Let's take Han for your surname.. And uhmm.. Let's take Jin and Hee for your first name.. Combining them together, we'll have 한 (Han), 진 (Jin), 희 (Hee). 한진희. Han Jin Hee. Do you like it?

      감사합니다.

      Delete
  9. Hello, can you help me with my korean name?
    Pia (first name) Lucia (middle name) & Wilke is my Family name.
    I know it's not easy because i've a middle name, but i hope you can help me.
    Thanks in advance. c:

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    1. Hi Pia!~ Thank you for visiting this blog!

      With your surname, I think that it rhymes best with 길 (Gil), so I think we will use that as your Korean surname..

      As for your first name, I think I will consider what is rhyming with both your first and middle name. I chose.... 리아 which is read as "Ri-ah".

      Written as a whole, your Korean name is 길리아 Gil Ri-ah

      Did you like it? :) Don't forget to subscribe!

      Delete
    2. what a pretty name, thank you so much. c:

      Delete
  10. Ooh, this is so fascinating! I love Korean names. In dramas, when the characters hate their name, I always wondered why when I thought they sounded nice to begin with lol.

    Anyway, my name is Jennifer, though I usually prefer just to be called Jenn. Family name is Lucas. Do you think you can help me with a Korean name? I always liked names that included 영 or 연 , just because it's fun to write, and I like the Y sound =P.

    (I went to Korea recently, and a Korean girl I met was named MinJung, and her English name was Jennifer, haha.)

    Great blog by the way!

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    1. Thanks for visiting my blog, Jenn!

      Anyway, English names for Koreans are usually chosen by the people themselves, for international use.

      Moreover, hmmmm.. Let's try giving you a name: Since your surname is Lucas, I chose Kang 강. And for your name, it's Young-jin "영진". Written completely, your name will be 강영진. Did you like it?

      Don't forget to subscribe! :)

      Delete
    2. 네, 좋아요!

      Yay, you don't know how happy this name makes me, haha. Thanks!

      Delete
  11. Hi :)
    Love your post! :)
    I really love to have a korean name.. I tried alot of apps that offers to give me a korean name but non of it works so im looking forward to you giving me a korean name :)
    My family name is cheok or in chinese is shi and my first name is tuan poh or in chinese is chuan bao so my full name is shi chuan bao or cheok tuan poh :) I'm looking forward to your reply ^^

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    1. Hi Lynette! Sorry to have read your comment late.

      Anyways, I saw your name, let's take Cheok Tuan Poh as a prototype. Looking at your surname, it sounds like Jo "조", so we'll choose Jo as surname. Moreover, looking at your name, Tuan Poh, I think it will sound more like "Eun Bi" (은비) (with the same flow of words. Eun Bi means, silver, or beautiful queen.

      Putting it all together, it forms the name Jo Eun Bi "조은비".

      I hope you enjoyed your Korean name!

      Delete
  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. 안녕, Windy! Thank you for visiting the blog!~

      I'm sorry to have replied a little later, the writer is busy. :)

      I've thought about what to give you, and arrived with one.

      OK. With your surname, I think it might rhyme well with Go or "고". When it comes with the first name, considering the translations you gave me, I arrived with 연우 or Yeon-woo, with Yeon (연), meaning "feast", and Woo (우), meaning outstanding. Putting it all together, we get 고연우 Go Yeon-woo.

      I hope you liked it, and don't forget to follow the blog! :)

      Delete
  13. hihi . love your post . <3 thanks for the info . (:
    i really wanna get a korean name .
    my full name is Angela Tan Jia Yi . (:
    can u give me a korean name please ? ;)

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    1. 안녕 Angela! Thanks for visiting the blog! Sorry to have replied a little later, as the writer is busy. :D

      Let's take your surname as your Korean one, 이, pronounced "Yi", but Romanized as Lee.

      Then, for your name, I chose the Korean names Min (민) and Ji (지)as your first name. Min means "clever" or "precious stone" and Ji means "knowledge". Combining the names together, we get 이민지 or Lee Min Ji.

      I hope you liked your name, and don't forget to follow the blog!

      Delete
    2. thank you so much . i got a question . what if i took "Tan" as my surname ? what would my korean name be then ?

      Delete
    3. 안녕 Angela!

      If you want to change the surname, then 한 "Han" will be a good replacement as it rhymes with Tan very well. :)

      감사합니다!

      Delete
    4. To put it all together, we'll have 한민지. :D

      Delete
  14. Thanks for this post I was really intrested in learning about korean names, can you help me find out my korean name every where i looked it gave me a random name genrator that seemed to change each time i put in my name.
    My name is Caylee Ann Elizabeth Castillo (i have 2 middle names)
    Cant wait to find out what you come up with and love your posts keep it up.:)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. 안녕 Caylee, welcome to my blog!

      Looking at your middle names, Ann and Elizabeth, both names have somewhat a connection with the word "grace" or "abundance". Two Korean names have connection with the words grace and abundance, so let's take both for your first name. These are "혜" or Hye, and "은" or Eun. Combining both, we get 혜은.

      For your surname, Castillo, it might rhyme with 강 or Kang, so let's take that as your surname.

      Combining both names, we arrive with 강혜은 or Kang Hye Eun.

      I hope you like your Korean name! :) Follow this blog for more Korean fun!

      Delete
  15. HELLO! :-) my name is Vanessa and my surname is Chew. May I know what is my Korean name? I would really love to have one!!

    Anyway, awesome blog!!!!!!! In love with Korean stuff!!! :-)

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    1. 안녕 Vanessa! Welcome to this blog!

      Looking at your surname, I think it might be nice to rhyme with Choi, pronounced as "Chwe", Hangul, 최. Your name Vanessa means butterfly, and are usually associated with kindness. Looking at that meaning, I arrived with a name, 은경 or Eun Gyeong, 은 meaning "grace", and 경, meaning "goodness".

      Putting both names together, we get 최은경 or Choi Eun Gyeong. :)

      I hope you liked your name, and don't forget to follow/FB like/Tweet this post! :)

      Delete
  16. annyeong!

    my name is Claudia Natalica. Claudia means queen and natalica comes from natal ( means christmas in Indonesian language ) and lica ( shortened from my family name ) may I know what my korean name is? that would be awesome xD

    really cool blog anyway! I stuck here because I saw your post about Jun Sung Ahn! I'm a violinist too >o< ( and an exchange student )

    kamsahamnida~

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    1. 안녕 Claudia! Welcome to TheKoreanThoughts!~

      Let's see if we can get a name for yourself. :)

      As you didn't mention your surname, let's take the most common Korean surname, which is Lee or 이, pronounced as "Yi" in Korean.

      For your name, well, as your name means queen.. I decided to give you the names Yun, 윤 and Ah, 아, as your first names. Yun means "soft", while "ah" means beautiful. A queen is indeed soft and beautiful, isn't she?

      Putting it all together, you'll have 이윤아 or Lee Yoon-ah.

      감사합니다! If you liked it, don't forget to like/tweet/or bookmark this page! Thanks! :)

      Delete
  17. Annyeonghaseyo! It's been a pleasure reading your thoughts! If you have the time, then may you help me find a name for my friend and I? My name is Bella and my last name is Palacios(which means palaces) My friend's name is Aniza and her last name is Saenz. Thank you!

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    1. 안녕 Bella! Thanks for visiting theKOREANthoughts!

      Sorry for the delay, but hey, I got a good name for you and your friend!

      As for your surname, it rhymes most with Park, or 박 in Korean. Remember that it's pronounced as "baaaakh" in Korean.

      As for your first name, I chose 별 or "byeol" as your first name. Yes, only one name. Byeol means "star" in Korea. Putting them together, you'll get 박별, which is quite good a name!

      As for your friend, hmmmm.. Let's take Shin (신) for her surname. And for her name, I've chosen Ae (애) and Sook (숙), they mean "love" and "purity", respectively. Putting them together, we got 신애숙 as her name. Shin Ae-sook. :)

      Delete
  18. Annyeong!! Awesome blog!!! And very interesting facts about the Korean names..
    I was hoping that you can make one for me, kkk~

    My first name is Jennifer, and my family name is Angkawidjaja, which means wealth or wise or something, I forgot, lol xD
    And can you please also give me the meanings of my name (when you've decided X3)
    Gomawwooo~!!!!!! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've been trying to come up with a Korean name for myself for quite a while, but I can't seem to find out that I like or even makes sense. My first name is Kelsey Jo, but I go by Kelsey. Kelsey means "Ceol's Island" and also "Ship's victory". Yeah, I know, weird. My middle name is Elizabeth and my last name is Stafford. Can you please help me by giving me a Korean name?

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    1. 안녕 Kelsey! Welcome to this blog!

      Now let's try to formulate a name for you!

      For your surname, I have chosen 신 or Shin.

      As for your first names, well you have a weird, but a really beautiful name. It's good to partner it with a good Korean name, eh? I have chosen 민 or Min, and 규 or Gyu as your first names. As your first names kind of relates with pirates, or treasure, 민 is a good match as it means "precious stone", and 규 is, too, as it means "star".

      Putting them all together, you can have 신민규 as your name, or simply Shin Min-gyu. :) I hope you liked it!

      Delete
  20. hi, nice blog post,.. can you also help me find my korean name? my full name is lovely ledesma.. hope you respond asap! thank you and godbless! :)

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    1. 안녕 Lovely. Your name is indeed a "headturner"! Welcome to this blog!

      As for your surname, I have chosen 나 or "Na".

      For your first names, I have chosen 현 or "Hyun", which means "wisdom" or "honor", and 정 "Jung", which means "affection" or "love".

      Putting them all together, you get 나현정 Na Hyun-jung as your name!

      감사합니다!

      Delete
  21. Hello my name is Raquel and my family name is Gil wich is an spanish name, I heard this is a family name in Korea too, is this true? And last coul you give me my Korean full name thanks!

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    1. 안녕 Raquel, welcome to this blog!

      Gil, as it is a Spanish name, also occurs as a Korean surname. It would be good if we retain it, right? It's written as 길.

      For your first names, I have chosen, 지은 or "Ji-eun", and they mean "knowledge" and "blessing" or "grace", respectively.

      Putting them all together, we get, 길지은 or "Gil Ji-eun". :)

      I hope you liked it!

      Delete
  22. Hello! My name is Lejana Charwin(Both my first name) Lusung(middle name) Dela Peña(Surname). I am a Filipino.
    I would like to know my Korean name. I dont trust name generators cause they're completely RANDOM. Some website i've tried said my name is Jung Ha Neul because my birthday is on July 19,99. But it sounds weird. Never heard that name before.
    Can you please help me? :)

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    1. 안녕 Lejana! Welcome to this blog.

      Well, I could say that the name that you got is quite a good one! It may sound weird because it's quite unique and unheard of, but looking at the meaning, you might change your mind about it!

      Jung 정 is a Korean surname, which is the Korean counterpart of Zhang, which is a Chinese kingdom. Moreover, 하늘 or Haneul, means "heaven" in Korean. 하늘 is uncommon, but it has a good meaning. :) Putting them all together, you'll get 정하늘 or Jung Ha-neul.

      I hope you liked it!

      Delete
  23. Ayy! Can you help me? i wanna know ma korean name. Ma name Safna Erdila Azzahra. Is it too hard? if yes, i'm sorry. But i want have ma korean name:)

    Btw, nice blog, i like ur post^^

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    1. 안녕 Safna! Welcome to this blog!

      Well, your name is quite unique, but we'll try to find a name for you!

      For your surname, let's choose 안 or Ahn in Korean, as your surnames starts with A. For your first names, I chose 서은 or Seo-eun as your first name, which mean "peaceful" and "blessing", respectfully.

      Putting them all together, we get 안서은 or Ahn Seo-eun.

      I hope your liked it!

      Delete
  24. Ayy! ^^ ma name is Safna Erdila Azzahra, mau i now ma korean name? kkk. I hope you can :3 ey, btw nice blog~!^^

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh gorsh I love this post. Could you help me figure out my Korean name? My name is Izali Robles.

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    1. 안녕 Izali, welcome to theKoreanThoughts!

      For your surname, I chose 노 or No, but it does not sound like the English word "no", as it is spoken as Noh.

      For your first name, I've chosen 수현 or Soo-hyun, which mean "outstanding", and "wisdom" or "honor", respectively.

      Putting them all together, we get the name 노수현 or Noh Soo-hyun.

      I hope you like it!

      Delete
  26. annyeong! great blog!! I bookmarked your blogs ;) hahahaa
    (anyway ignore my previous comment from the 1st January, kkk)

    My first name is Jennifer, and my friends decided to turn my Korean surname to Jung X3
    I really hope you can find me a Korean name :D gomawoyo!
    xoxo

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    Replies
    1. 안녕 Jennifer! Welcome, again!

      As you have chosen Jung or 정 as your Korean surname, then let's consider that!

      For your first name, I have chosen Joo-hyun, or 주현. These names mean "jewel" and "honor", respectively. Angels are jewels and are honored, right? So that's a good name for you. :)

      Putting them all together, you get 정주현 or Jung Joo-hyun. I hope you like it!

      감사합니다!

      Delete
  27. Annyeong~~ (:
    What's the korean name for Melody? Is it 멜로디 or 민희?
    I think it's 멜로디 since a celebrity is named so, but i don't know.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hie so Eun also means blessing?

    ReplyDelete
  29. Helllooo sawthis blog of yourss this 2017 hahahah!! And i like it soo much!!

    I would like to know my korean name too huhuhuhuji.
    May name is mary rose and my family name is minguillo. Quite complicated hahaha. Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete

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