Korean learners are rising in numbers by the day. You might wonder, what is the hype all about? The reality is this: the language is gaining in popularity all around the globe, and this is mostly thanks to the international appeal of Korean media.
Of course, not all those who learn the Korean language are hardcore K-pop fans. There are also those who learn Korean for other practical reasons. In fact, Korean is a popular language among international speakers because it is a very useful language. Here are some ways in which knowing the Korean language is seen to be beneficial:
You gain access to Korean speakers all around the world
When you learn a language, it gives you the power to connect with people around the world who speak that same language. Ranked amongst the top 20 most spoken languages in the world, Korean has an estimated 80 million native speakers worldwide. If you add on the number of learners who learn Korean as a foreign language, that number jumps even higher. Thus, by having a knowledge of Korean, you are able to communicate with at least 80 million more people in the world – isn’t that amazing?
You can tap into the Korean economy
Korea is home to a number of wealthy conglomerates. Think Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, to name a few. If you dream of working in a huge and reputable company like one of these, a good command of Korean is essential. Many businesses that look to expand to Korea or partner up with Korean organisations will also need fluent Korean communicators to be able to liaise and build relationships with their Korean counterparts. Thus, knowing Korean gives you an edge to be sent for these business opportunities.
You can study in Korea
The opportunities that abound in Korea are not just for business people, but also students. Korea houses some very prestigious universities such as Seoul National University, Korean University, and Yonsei University. For those who wish to further their studies in a Korean environment, having a firm grasp of Korean is crucial. Although many universities have classes in English, Korean is still very useful in interacting with classmates and professors, and in dealing with day-to-day tasks.
You can understand your favourite songs and dramas
Of course, the Korean-wave fan will learn Korean for the sole purpose of being able to understand their favourite bops and Korean drama serials without the subtitles. Not only does this make it easier to enjoy – you don’t have to wait for the subtitled version to be released – but you can also have a deeper appreciation of the words, like the cultural significance, wordplay, and so on. As Korean music and Korean dramas are wildly popular internationally, it is no wonder that so many people learn Korean to better immerse themselves in their favourite songs and shows.
Korean is a language with multiple benefits. You may start off as a K-pop fan who wants to learn the language just to be able to understand the Instagram posts of your K-pop bias, but eventually find a career opportunity that makes use of your growing Korean knowledge. Who knows? Tap into the potential of Korean by starting your Korean learning journey with Sejong Korean Language School today!