acquisition; obtaining; coming to hand
for better or worse; for good and bad; regardless of merit; both good and bad
continental; calm; not worried with unimportant details
middle class; bourgeoisie
person's origin (e.g. city, country, parentage, school)
advantage; benefit; merit; good point; plus
maximum; to the maximum degree; to the full
reception; acceptance; enjoyment; being given
carefree; free from worry
self-esteem; feeling of self-approval
characteristic; like oneself; worthy of oneself
conflict; complication; troubles; discord
is something that; is that which
one-party regime; single-party regime
hard; tough; hardware; hard disk
arranged; taken care of; settled; completed; finished
Asian countries; Asian nations
innocent; sensitive; uncomplicated; unpretentious; straightforward
to attract notice; to catch the eye; to stand out
activity (esp. energetic); great efforts; conspicuous service; to flourish; to participate actively; to play an active role
striking; remarkable; considerable
influx of South Korean pop culture (into Japan)
passion; ardor; enthusiasm; The Passion
lovable; sweet; charming; pitiful; pathetic; touching
affinity; compatibility; chemistry (between people)
unbroken; endless; continuous
before I knew it; next thing you know; when I came to
wholeheartedly; single-mindedly; fervently; intently
rest; break; recess; intermission
seeming to be; appearing to be; like; similar to; in order to (e.g. meet goal); so that
to stand (still) a while; to loiter; to stop
poor; pitiable; pathetic; pitiful
sense; idea; desire; concern; attention; care
really; very; extremely; (not) anything; (not) at all; (not) a bit
uneasiness; vague apprehension; premonition
presence (impressive quality)
to move forward; to move on