Cup Isn't Cop: A Vowel Korean Doesn't Split

English distinguishes the vowel in 'cup,' 'love,' and 'luck' from the vowel in 'cop,' 'lock,' and 'got' — one is central and relaxed, made without much lip rounding, while the other is further back and sometimes slightly rounded. Korean vowel categories don't map onto this split the same way, so both can collapse toward a single sound for Korean speakers, occasionally flipping the meaning of a sentence entirely ('I love my job' versus something that sounds like 'lob'). To find the 'cup' vowel, relax your jaw and lips completely — don't round them at all — and keep the sound short and central, almost like a quick grunt. Try this for two minutes with the pairs 'cup/cop,' 'luck/lock,' and 'shut/shot,' saying each pair slowly and checking that your lips stay loose and unrounded for the first word in each pair. This distinction carries real meaning, so a little daily practice goes a long way.