Korean grammar patterns › Level 5
-(으)ㄴ/는 가운데
amid, while, in the midst of (formal)
Level 5 · TOPIK II · advanced
How to use it
Sets the background situation in which clause 2 happens. Very common in news, reports, ceremonies and formal greetings.
Forming it
| 지켜보다 | → 지켜보는 가운데 |
| 참석하다 | → 참석한 가운데 |
| 바쁘다 | → 바쁜 가운데 |
Examples
많은 시민들이 지켜보는 가운데 행사가 시작되었습니다.
The event started while many citizens watched.
바쁘신 가운데 와 주셔서 감사합니다.
Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.
Compared with similar patterns
-는 동안 focuses on a period of time; -(으)면서 links two actions of the same subject. -는 가운데 describes a surrounding situation, often with different subjects, in formal style.