10 YEARS AGO, South Korea took the world by storm.
Some say it's due to an iconic song intro, some say it's due to the song's catchy chorus and choreography.
For many people, it was their first time having a true glimpse of the South Korean language and culture.
The music video of this legendary K-pop song has a total of 4.5 billion views on Youtube today, where its massive popularity back then propelled a wave of massive parody videos globally.
Of course, I'm talking about Psy's Gangnam Style!
For those who are not familiar with the Korean language and culture, we're pretty sure their immediate response back then was to find out the meaning of "Oppa" (오빠) and " Gangnam" (강남)
That said, if you dive deep into Korean culture and language, you'll discover a world that is beyond catchy K-pop tunes and choreographies.
In this article, you will embark on this journey of exploring the significance of learning the Korean language and how you can master this language effectively as you immerse deeply in Korean culture.
Why Is The Korean Language Becoming More Popular Among Language Learners?
First, let's talk about the main reasons why there's been a Korean language boom in recent years among language learners from different parts of the world, including Malaysia.
Reason 1: The rise of Korean entertainment among the global audience
Just as we have mentioned earlier about K-pop, Korean media and entertainment are on the rise now. From BTS, and Parasite to 2022's Netflix hit series, Squid Game starring Lee Jung Jae and Jung Ho Yeon, the Hallyu wave is here to stay and it will continue to soar to greater heights.
Source: Vox
Many hardcore global fans would love to understand what they are watching and listening to without relying too much on subtitles.
Reason 2: Korea is becoming a top tourist spot
Thanks to many Korean dramas and movies, many people are gradually seeing Korea as their next holiday destination.
After all, Korea is blessed with beautiful islands and mountains, historical and cultural attractions, and a diversity of food and fashion, you can expect to make lots of unique and memorable experiences there!
We'll talk about some of the most visited places in Korea later.
Reason 3: More people are looking into Korean studying/working opportunities
If you have watched another hit Korean drama, SKY Castle, you would know about the three most prestigious universities in South Korea, namely Seoul National University [Ranked 6th in Asia and 60th in the world according to the 2021 Times Higher Education World University Rankings], Korea University and Yonsei University.
In 2008, the Korean government has awarded scholarships worth up to RM8 million to Malaysians for their graduate studies in Korean universities. This has encouraged many Malaysian students to apply for many Korean undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in recent years.
Ultimately, you need a strong command of both the written and spoken Korean language to study and work in South Korea. Hence, many aspiring students either take Korean lessons and assessments back in Malaysia or pursue a language learning programme in Korea to be fluent in the language.
You'll have an enriching language learning experience when you appreciate the history of the Korean language.
Which Places Should You Visit If You Are Planning A Trip To South Korea?
The best way to have a 100% Korean culture immersion is certainly travelling to Korea where you can encounter native speakers and have first-hand experience of all things Korean, ranging from food, fashion, music, history and many more.
If it's your first time in Korea, we highly recommend you visit these three locations.
Seoul
You can get the best of both worlds when you visit Seoul.
Prefer to visit a historical tourist attraction? You can head to the Bukchon Hanok Village and the Changdeokgung Palace.
Looking for some dating locations for couples and families? You can visit Lotte World or go to Namsan Seoul Tower and get a couple of love locks as a symbol of everlasting love.
Source: Photo by Taewoo Kim on Unsplash
Love exploring affordable street food and artsy souvenirs to bring home? Get ready to explore Namdaemun Market and Gwangjang Market and eat your hearts out!
Busan
The second largest city in South Korea, Busan is another hot tourist spot that you should not miss out on!
A fan of sunlight and the beach? You should start packing your swimming outfits and head to Haeundae Beach for some splashing fun!
Looking for an IG-worthy photo spot? Visit the Gamcheon Culture Village and be amazed by the beautiful street art and chic alleys.
Jeju Island
If you are up for a scenic and restful vacation, then you should book a ticket to visit Jeju Island!
At Jeju, you can take beautiful photos in a colourful field of flowers at the Jeju Camellia Hill and catch an engaging and energetic culinary performance (NANTA show).
You can also opt for a yacht cruise tour that will take you across the emerald waters of Gimnyeong and see if you can catch any dolphins in action.
Which Studying Method Is Better When It Comes To Mastering The Korean Language?
Everyone's language learning journey is unique.
Some people may prefer the old-fashioned way of buying Korean learning textbooks and workbooks while some may prefer to go online and watch Youtube tutorials on their own.
Both of these two studying methods are great for you to be equally good at the four language components: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
At times, this self-learning process can feel a bit too repetitive and passive.
Therefore, we suggest that you add another method to this list.
Apart from getting the right physical books, studying notes and audiovisual Korean learning resources, you can also hire a private Korean tutor.
This way, you'll have a systematic and easy-to-follow Korean learning curriculum according to your pace and preferences.
Where should you look for one?
You can head to Superprof Malaysia to start searching for a home tutor or online tutor who offers Korean lessons.
You can easily browse through the tutors' profiles and gather more information such as:
- Their teaching methodologies
- Their current Korean language proficiency (TOPIK test score)
- Teaching experience
- Past students' reviews/recommendations
- Hourly rate
- Current location for physical lessons
Don't forget to pay attention to these tips when you are approaching Korean language learning for the first time.
How Can You Learn Korean Effectively As A Kpop/Korean Drama Fan?
Apart from your regular Korean lessons, you can also use your free time to engage with Korean media and content.
If you are a Hallyu wave fan who regularly watches Korean dramas and listens to K-pop, you can improve your Korean language proficiency by following these tips.
Tip 1: Pay attention to the natural pronunciation of the words and sentences in the drama and mimic them
This is a great way to practice your Korean speaking and listening in the most stress-free way. For example, after watching an episode or a short clip, you can pause and mimic after you have finished listening.
You'll notice that certain words may be pronounced in different intonations depending on different conversation contexts.
Source: Xframe
Tip 2: Read and review the Korean subtitles/ Korean lyrics
Get your notebook ready to write down new vocabulary and phrases so that you can familiarize yourself with the right strokes of writing Korean syllables, the meaning of the Korean words and most importantly, improve your reading comprehension skills.
Once you make this a habit, you'll be surprised that you can read Korean words without relying on romanization or its translated meaning.
Get your hands on these reliable Korean learning resources!
What Are Some Tips To Remember If You Want To Transition From A Beginner to an Advanced Korean Learner?
After some time of studying Korean, you would slowly progress to a higher level. Some people would have a smaller or bigger time gap throughout the transition.
Here are some tips that you should take note of to improve faster after you have passed the beginner's phase.
Tip 1: Make it a habit to expand your vocabulary when you're speaking/writing
Don't be content to use simple sentences and vocabulary in your everyday conversation.
List down different and more challenging words to describe your everyday actions in different contexts.
For example, what are the words that you will use when you are cleaning, doing the laundry, using the telephone or when you are lying down?
Example of words/phrases:
- 유리창을 닦다: to wipe the glass window
- 세제를 넣다: to put in detergent
- 전화번호를 저장하다: to save someone's phone number
- 엎드려 눕다: to lie on one's face
Tip 2: Do lots of practice with your Korean tutor
When you practice with your Korean tutor, you'll be able to receive immediate feedback and know your strengths and weaknesses.
For example, you can correct your pronunciation and sentence structure swiftly and be more confident when you are expressing yourself with new words and complex grammar.
Tip 3: Sit for the TOPIK test to activate your language learning objectives
An effective way to stay motivated and objective about your Korean language proficiency is to sit for the TOPIK test. The test will show how you truly fare in all four language components and provide a comprehensive evaluation of your true Korean proficiency.
Having a goal to receive a high score for this test will push you to put in more effort to take your Korean learning to the next level!
Whenever you feel like giving up, always focus on the benefits that you can enjoy once you have mastered the Korean language comprehensively.
We hope you have now developed a new-found passion and understanding of the Korean language and culture through this article. Happy learning!
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