-는 동안 means "while" or "during" - indicating the time period when something occurs.
Simultaneous actions - 기다리는 동안 책을 읽었어요
Duration - The time span of an action
Background action - What happens during another action
Action verbs only - 먹는 동안, 자는 동안
Past: V-는 동안 (not 은 동안 for actions)
While waiting, I drank coffee.
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