NOTE: This should have been posted a month ago but got lost in the pile of drafts. It's still pretty rough as "역시" is a strange bird. Below is what I wrote:
I spent almost an entire hour talking about this with a friend today and I still don't fully grasp it. This is my feeble attempt at starting to understand the versatility and not-quite-the-same-in-English glory that is '역시'. Bear with me.
As Naver points out, it means a whole lot of nothing. More specifically, it's misleading. It makes me think it's something that it isn't. It's like those purple sweet potatoes in Korea. They look like they'll taste like a grape but no. Just a sweet potato taste. You big fat lying potato. Why do you taste just like all the other sweet potatoes?
What was I saying? oh yeah. '역시' has many uses. They aren't exactly related to each other but all of them seem to essentially revolve around the speaker's inner monologue and/or to the end of a We'll go over each dictionary definition and give an example:
1) 또한 too, as well, also, likewise
This seems to be a way to agree with someone's opinion. I'm already already familiar with "나도 그렇게 생각해요" (I think so, too). and in this situation, one can add the optional "나도 역시 그렇게 생각해요" but what I don't know is what nuance changes...any help?
2) 그래도 but then, notwithstanding, nevertheless, though, however, in spite of, none the less
how does this differ from 그래도? don't know. The example given was that a couple is searching for a restaurant. They can't agree on anything because all restaurants don't sound appetizing. This place is too expensive, that place is too greasy, that place is too bland, etc. So, the couple agrees to simply go to 김밥천국 without really expecting anything. it was just a last minute compromise. Just eat and go. Once there, the food is surprisingly good. You say with a tiled head to your partner "흠...역시 김밥천국이야". What I don't know is the nuance. What exactly does that mean? "good choice, honey?"
3) 예전히 still, all just the same
the example was two friends meet after a long time apart. Say, three years. Back then, the friend lived in 명동. The other friend, in excitement of meeting his friend after such a long time asks "Hey, where are you living now?" and the friend replies "Still in 명동" to which the other friend replies "아! 역시..." Apparently this also requires a finger shake or a shit-faced grin to gain full effect.
4) 생각했던 대로 as expected, true to one's expectation
The example given was that if my friend wanted to go to England for a long time and he read a lot about England and dreamt all about going to England. England was on his mind. Once he got there, he was happy that it was exactly what he imagined. He simply said quietly to himself "아...역시" as in "I knew it".
Another example is a friend who setting you up with a blind date. He describes the girl you're going to meet as pretty, smart, playful, quick and from a nice family. Your imagination dreams up what she must look like. Once you finally meet her, she's everything you imagined and more. Again, you say to yourself "아...역시"
5) 결국 after all is said and done
If a guy didn't study for a test, prays to the heavens for a good grade but only receives a 15 out of a 100 on the test. In that case, he can say 역시 but I don't know what it means. It seems that it's practically the same as the more common definition above (#4)
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If you read this and feel that you have something to add, as always, please leave a comment!
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