Kcontest #11 // When And How Did I First Discover Korea?

My first encounter with Korea came through K-pop, specifically, a viral music video by Girls' Generation that a friend showed me back in secondary school. At the time, I don't have any interest in Korea because it's not my language but when I listened to the music, even though I had no idea what they were singing about, but the energy they put into it, the style, and the choreography grabbed my attention instantly. I felt something entirely new and exciting, unlike anything I'd seen in Western pop music. That music video led me down to explore more and eventually, a fascination with the culture that created these artists.

Pixabay

To me at first, Korea was simply “the place where K-pop comes from.” even though I don't understand the language, their music is like a medicine to me. I was amazed by the polished visuals, synchronized dancing, and emotional performances. I have zero idea about the country’s language, history, or its people, I was just I love with the music and consumed the content. It was a very surface-level appreciation, driven by curiosity and entertainment.

But the more I engaged with Korean pop culture, the more my interest expanded. I started watching Korean dramas, starting with the king's daughter, Descendants of the Sun and later Crash Landing on You. These stories introduced me to different aspects of Korean life, from the importance of family and respect for elders to the deep emotional themes often explored in Korean storytelling.

From there, I started to notice small details like the way characters bowed, the food they ate, the mix of tradition and modernity in their lifestyles. All of it is really fascinated me and addictive and I let myself getting addicted.

My curiosity grew into a desire to understand Korea beyond entertainment. I started from reading about Korean history online, try to understand their language, their mode of dressing, I learned about hanbok, traditional holidays but I'm still not there yet because I also want to try the Korean food starting from kimchi and expanding to bibimbap, tteokbokki, and samgyeopsal. I even want to learn how to use chopsticks.

Looking back, my understanding about Korea is nothing more than their music and if you ask me I will tell you that Korea is all about K-pop but now my understanding of Korea has changed drastically. What began as a casual interest in catchy pop music has grown into a deep respect for a culture that is rich, resilient, and constantly evolving. I’ve come to appreciate the complexity behind the country’s global image from its struggles and triumphs to the blend of tradition and innovation that defines modern Korea.

Now, Korea is no longer just that distant country that makes great music and drama. It's a place I hope to visit someday, not just to enjoy the food and sights, but to continue learning and experiencing its culture firsthand and I wish my wish come true.

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