-는 가운데

Amidst, While doing, In the course of, Under the circumstances of

Explanation

This expression is used to indicate the fact that the content of the following clause occurs while the situation or state of affairs described in the preceding clause continues. The preceding clause thus becomes the background or underlying situation for the following clause.

Details

The particles 에도 and 에서도 can be added to the end of this expression to emphasize the contrasting nature of the preceding and following clauses. In such cases, 에 can also be omitted.

갑작스럽게 비가 내리는 가운데(에)도 공연은 중단되지 않고 계속되었다.
The performance continued without being cancelled amidst the sudden rain shower.
출동한 구조 대원은 상황이 위급한 가운데(에)서도 침착하게 응급조치를 했다.
Despite being in such a perilous situation, the dispatched rescue workers calmly performed the emergency measures.