**YOUNG A IM**
**Counsellor of the Korean Embassy and Director of the Korean Cultural Center**

The curiosity and the passion for Hangeul (Korean language) in the Philippines has gotten higher and higher over the years, and even more so, recently because of the increased demand on K-Drama and K-Pop during quarantine. I am even getting used to running into people greeting me in Korean “Annyeonghaseyo” in the street.

The online Korean language classes that the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) is providing becomes full one second after posting because student hopeful swarm the registrations. As for me, someone who speaks Korean as mother language, this phenomenon is overwhelming and it is giving me the idea that I can communicated with the Filipinos.

In 1443, King Sejong, the 4th monarch of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), completed the 28 unique letters that effectively expressed the sound of Korean words. After the 3-year trial period, it was promulgated to the general people. Aside from the alphabet, the “Humminjeongeum” or The Hangeul Manuscript was also published. This contains the detailed explanations of the alphabet’s background, intent, and design principles of the letters.

Hangeul is one of the most creative inventions in Korea. It has been designed to help ordinary people who have little knowledge about Chinese characters to easily express and communicate their thoughts and words. It played a truly important role in Korean history, including lowering illiteracy rates and contributing to the development of politics, economy, and culture. Korea has designated Hangeul Day on October 9 as a national holiday to celebrate the creation of Hangeul and honor its excellence.

The Filipino people's efforts to learn the Korean alphabet, to me, is an expression of their willingness to go beyond the language barrier in order to further discover Korea and understand Korean culture. More than being touching, I think it is very honorable because the appreciation that they are showing involves not just pure adoration, but is coupled with action and time.

In return, the Korean Embassy and the Korean Cultural Center will try to diversify Korean online language classes and expand support for schools adopting Korean as a Special Program in Foreign Language (SPFL).

Due to the unprecedented pandemic, people’s movements and social life have been limited and it reduced opportunities for face-to-face communication. Sometimes the meeting itself is a burden. Nevertheless, we refuse to stop communicating. People around the world are continuing to communicate more actively online now more than ever.

In the highly celebrated K-drama, “Crash Landing On You,” Hyun Bin’s character was forced to send a text message every day for a year to his love interest, Son Yejin’s character, who was away. They have endured separation and managed to protect their love by subtly keeping the communication open.

Communication has always been an important element in building relationships. As someone who lives in a blessed era where we can communicate with each other regardless of physical distance because of various technological advancements, we embrace and commit to furthering communication, whichever way we can, in order to build deep cooperation, solidarity, and faith, among others.

Why don't you leave a message of encouragement to the precious person you haven't met for so long? I'm sending you a text message first, following the wishes of King Sejong who created Hangul to communicate well with the others: “Maraming maraming salamat sa pagmamahal niyo sa Korea at sa Korean language."

COUNSELLOR OF THE KOREAN EMBASSY AND DIRECTOR OF THE KOREAN CULTURAL CENTER YOUNG A IM

Hangeul: A link to communication