Learn Business Terms with TV | Alice in Borderland S2

Watch the Youtube video above then read the transcript to gain a better understanding of words or phrases that are unclear. At the end of the transcript you can find an extended list of key vocabulary and expressions underlined throughout the text.

Full Video Transcript

In this video, we will talk about the Japanese drama Alice in Borderland, using vocabulary and phrases commonly used in business settings. Learning vocabulary in context is crucial because a word can have different meanings depending on how it is used. Listen to part one once without subtitles, then listen again with subtitles. In part two, I will review the some of terms and phrases from part 1 that are frequently used in business settings. This video is suitable for intermediate and above English learners. Okay, let’s get started.

Part 1: Listening

In Alice in Borderland season 2, we circle back to our main characters, Arisu and Usagi, as they continue to uncover who is behind the deadly games they’ve been forced to play. As the story continues, Arisu meets key stakeholders, including the King of Clubs and the Queen of Spades. The King of Clubs and Queen of Spades are important individuals who have an interest in the games and who are affected by the outcome of the games. Other stakeholders are the players and the game masters. Each stakeholder has a different agenda and strategic plan to win the games. Arisu’s agenda is to learn the reason behind the games and who created them, while Usagi’s agenda is to stay alive and beat the games one by one. Together, their strategic plan is to help each other stay alive. In order to be successful, they need to make sure they are always on the same page by keeping each other in the loop of any new challenges or opportunities. Sometimes they have to think outside the box to win and sometimes they need to take risks to ultimately succeed.

My favorite character in the show was Arisu because he seemed like a genuine person and a good leader. He used his transferable skills as a gamer to win the games in real life and save his friends. With every game he won, he reached a new milestone and became closer to finding out the truth. I also liked Ann because she was an analytical thinker and used her background in forensic science to discover the truth. She analyzed the information presented to her and used her previous experience to understand her current situation.

The production quality of this show is really impressive. I can tell the producers had a big budget and a large workforce to deliver such a high-quality product. For a show of this caliber, it’s possible that the show producers outsourced some of their work. Outsourcing the work to an outside company can help keep costs down and keep the schedule on track. In my opinion, the finished product was comparable to big-budget Hollywood movies.

Part 2: Key Vocabulary and Common Phrases.

1. Circle Back: To return to a previous topic or situation. In the show, "we circle back to our main characters, Arisu and Usagi," means we return to following their story.  

2. Continue To: To keep on doing something. In the show, "Arisu and Usagi continue to uncover who is behind the deadly games," means they keep trying to find out who is responsible for the games.

3. Stakeholders: People or groups who have an interest in or are affected by a project, decision, or activity. In the show, these include the King of Clubs, the Queen of Spades, the players, and the game masters.

4. Agenda: A plan or goal that someone wants to achieve. For example, Arisu's agenda is to learn the reason behind the games, while Usagi's agenda is to stay alive and beat the games.

5. Strategic Plan: A detailed plan to achieve long-term goals. Arisu and Usagi's strategic plan is to help each other stay alive.

6. On the Same Page: When people have a shared understanding of something. Arisu and Usagi need to make sure they are on the same page by keeping each other informed.

7. In the Loop: Being informed about something. They need to keep each other in the loop about any new challenges or opportunities.

8. Think Outside the Box: To think in a creative way, not following the usual rules. Sometimes Arisu and Usagi have to think outside the box to win the games.

9. Take Risks: To do something that might have negative consequences in hopes of a good result. Sometimes they need to take risks to ultimately succeed.

10. Transferable Skills: Skills that can be used in different situations. Arisu uses his transferable skills as a gamer to win the games in real life.

Okay, that brings us to the end of this video. Get the full transcript and complete list of detailed explanations at AsianDramaEnglish.com. If you found this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up and I will see you in the next one.

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Bonus Vocabulary and Phrases

11. Milestone: An important achievement or stage in a process. Each game Arisu wins is a new milestone bringing him closer to finding out the truth.

12. Analytical Thinker: Someone who carefully studies and evaluates information. Ann is an analytical thinker who uses her background in forensic science to understand the situation.

13. Production Quality: The overall quality of a show's production, including visuals, sound, and effects. The show has high production quality, similar to big-budget Hollywood movies.

14. Budget: The amount of money available to spend on a project. The producers had a big budget for the show.

15. Workforce: The group of people who work on a project. The producers had a large workforce to deliver a high-quality product.

16. Outsourcing: Hiring an outside company to do part of the work. The producers might have outsourced some of their work to keep costs down and stay on schedule.

17. Comparable: Similar in quality. The finished product was comparable to big-budget Hollywood movies.

18. Ultimately Succeed: To finally achieve a goal after trying hard. Arisu and Usagi sometimes need to take risks to ultimately succeed in their games.

19. Background In: Experience or training in a particular field. Ann has a background in forensic science, which helps her understand the situation.

20. High-Quality Product: Something that is made very well and is of excellent quality. The producers delivered a high-quality product with the show.

21. On Track: Making progress as planned. Outsourcing work can help keep the schedule on track.

22. Finished Product: The final result after all work is completed. The finished product of the show was comparable to big-budget Hollywood movies.

23. Keep Costs Down: To reduce expenses. Outsourcing can help keep costs down for the producers.