MY KOREAN LANGUAGE EXPERIENCE IN A NUTSHELL

Original Date Made: October 2018

My Discovery of the Rising Gods of the East in 2008

Ten years ago, when I was a Sophomore in the University, my friend introduced DBSK (a.k.a 동방신기, Dong Bang Shin Ki, TVXQ which means Rising Gods of the East), a Korean boy group, to me. I loved this group so much that I always sang their songs both in Korean and Japanese. I even watched the videos of their concert and guesting in variety shows in the internet. But I have never thought about learning their language because there were subtitles available. But the subtitles used to come a week after the raw files T.T Can you imagine how patient I was?

I remembered that there was a show where DBSK tried to teach Korean by demonstrating two phrases. Unfortunately, I could only remember one phrase. And it was…

나는 할 수 있어! Naneun hal su isseo! Which means ‘I can do it!’ I somehow memorized this line, which made me remember it until now.

The Start of my Kdrama Fandom in 2009

It was in 2009 when I started to be addicted with Kdramas. And that was because of ‘You’re Beautiful (미남이시네요, Minamishineyo)’, starring Park Shin Hye (박신혜), Jang Geun Seuk (장근석), FT Island’s Lee Hong Ki (이홍기) and CN Blue’s Jung Yong Hwa (정용화).

 I really loved this kdrama and its OST that I even made a piano cover of Park Shin Hye’s ‘Lovely Day’. When I checked my youtube channel this year, the views of my piano cover are now over 20,000 hits. I am so surprised! I have never imagined it would be something like this.

I also uploaded the music sheet I used in playing ‘Lovely Day’ and the downloads are now over 400~ 

You can watch the video in youtube here:

https://youtu.be/Ofr_pcShwgs

You can also download the music sheets here:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/eoohd47djcdbx24/

[A/N: Please like and subscribe to my Youtube channel coz I have few piano covers there :P
https://www.youtube.com/user/rikakanashi ]

Just like any kdrama fanatic, I have memorized many Korean words by simply watching kdrama. It is because the words are used so many times in the drama. I also used to mimic Koreans on how they say these.

Oppa = 오빠 = older brother (used by females)

Hyung = 형 = older brother (used by males) 

Eonni = 언니 = older sister (used by females)

Nuna = 누나 = older sister (used by males)

Eomma = 엄마 = mom

Appa = 아빠 = dad

Ajumma = 아줌마 = old woman (age of 30’s but not granny)

Ajusshi = 아저씨 = old man (age of 30’s but not granny)

Jinjja? = 진짜? = Really?

Kamsahamnida = 감사합니다 = Thank you

Annyeong haseyo = 안녕하세요 = Hello

Annyeong = 안녕 = Hello / Goodbye

Jamkkanmanyo = 잠깐만요 = Wait a minute

Saranghae = 사랑해 = I love you

Mianhe = 미안해 = Sorry

Gomawo = 고마워 = Thanks

I memorized these words and tried to use them when talking with my friends just like any other kdrama fan, but I did not know their proper usage. I did not even know how to read or write Hangeul (Korean Alphabet) that time so I just mimicked how Koreans would say them.

As I continued my Korean Language journey, I realized that Koreans adore hierarchy so much that their way of speaking differs depending on age and rank of a person.

One example is you cannot simply say ‘Annyeong (안녕)’ to a random stranger especially when that person looks like so much older than you. It signifies rudeness and I had no idea about that before.

I even wanted to say the Korean words that I memorized to actual Korean person back then. Good thing that I did not have the courage because if I had, I do not know how embarrassing it would have been.

I was also clueless that time that I even made a birthday video greeting to my friend that was supposed to be ‘Saengil Chukhahamnida (생일 축하합니다 = Happy Birthday)’ but it turned out differently. When I think about it now, it was kind of embarrassing, how fail it was!

The Real Beginning of My Korean Language Journey in 2014

Learning Korean Language was mere a coincidence for me. I did not really plan on studying Korean Language but then I guess it was destiny that brought me into learning it.

It was February of 2014 when I was hired as an Engineer in a Korean company here in the Philippines. It was one of the company’s requirements to study 80 hours of Basic Korean Language and to pass at least TOPIK (Test in Proficiency in Korean) Level 1 in October that year.

For those who do not know, TOPIK has two categories of exam: TOPIK 1 (Beginner: Level 1 and 2) and TOPIK 2 (Intermediate: Level 3 and 4; Advanced: Level 5 and 6). There is only one exam for TOPIK 1 while another exam for TOPIK 2. The levels will be determined depending on the score you would receive. The exam for TOPIK 1 has 2 sections: Listening and Reading while TOPIK 2 has 3 sections: Listening, Reading and Writing. As for me, I just needed to pass at least Level 1 so I needed total accumulated points of at least 80 out of 200 from Listening and Reading sections. If I was good enough to get at least 140 points, I could pass Level 2.

Source: https://www.topikguide.com/topik-overview

I really studied hard for the 80-hour session but I was not able to memorize enough vocabulary so I studied more every after work until exam day in October. I was confident that I could pass Level 1 but not Level 2. My vibe was correct because I got 129 points in the exam. Eleven points more to pass Level 2. Listening part was the hardest for me that even though the recorded audio was slowly read, it took me about 5 seconds to realize what word has been read. For reading part, knowing enough vocabulary has saved me from failing but what I knew was still not enough to pass Level 2.

My Struggle to Korean Intermediate Level in 2016

Two years had passed when I started learning Korean but no significant improvement has progressed until I had the opportunity to study Korean Language for 6months straight.

For the first three months starting January, my classmates and I attended classes from Beginner Level up to Intermediate Level using Yeollin Hangugeo (열린 한국어) as reference material. We also memorized the Korean Vocabulary Practice for Foreigners books, with Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced books. Imagine, memorizing 3 thick books, one book per month! Then, vocabulary quizzes everyday!

Plus we had different exercises back then like writing movie review, book review, performing a debate, reciting reports just like a newscaster and simply reciting essays from a book. I could remember that I could barely sleep on those three months because other than the activities that I have mentioned, we also had workbooks as assignment.

Even though it was difficult considering the compressed time we had for all the lessons, I really worked hard in able to comply and to learn until intermediate level. Initially, the goal of the program was to achieve Level 6 but considering its difficulty, the goal was changed into Level 4.

The month of April came and it was time to take TOPIK to assess our Korean Language Proficiencies. Again, our goal is Level 4 but we still have to take TOPIK 1 so we took two exams that day.

TOPIK 1 became easy but TOPIK 2 was hell hard! The listening portion was read one time only and the reader spoke so fast compared to that of TOPIK 1 exam. There are so many unfamiliar vocabulary that I think I just knew less than one fourth of it. I realized that TOPIK 1 and TOPIK 2 have very huge gap. With the preparations we made, I think I could easily pass Level 2 but not sure about Level 3 or 4.

After a month, the TOPIK result was out and I passed both Level 2 and Level 3. My score was 149 points (1 point needed to pass Level 4) in TOPIK 2. I was so frustrated to have missed that one point for Level 4.

Another three months was dedicated to Korean Language to achieve the goal of Level 4 but this time, we studied in Suwon, South Korea. It was a good opportunity to study because we could communicate to actual Koreans. We could also fix our pronunciations to avoid miscommunication and be able to converse naturally. We still had classes for Grammar, Listening and Writing but my classmates and I made sure to have fun as well. Of course, we went to Korea’s famous tourist spots during our free time and practice our Korean by conversing with the locals.

After that, we came back to the Philippines and took TOPIK again in October. Fortunately, I was able to pass Level 4. I was so happy because all of my efforts were all worth it.

My Korean Language Experience Realizations

I have realized that learning Korean Language is never easy. It needs so much dedication in order to elevate up to Intermediate level. It requires so much motivation, be it kpop, or even the goal to watch kdrama without subtitles. Or even something deeper like be an interpreter / translator someday.

Learning the grammar forms really helps but memorizing much vocabulary is also necessary to move up to a higher level. Experiencing the language directly by conversing with the locals also helps with developing listening skills and speaking naturally. Memorizing Korean expressions used in kdrama also helps. In writing better Korean sentences, reading a book or short articles can also help to improve writing.

Also, it was really difficult to converse with the locals because a lot of guts and confidence is needed. But you have to make sure that you have enough Korean culture background to know how to approach them well. It also helps to have interest with the culture and with the language to make a room for conversation. Knowing more about Korea such as kdrama, kpop and Korean culture can build connection with the natives. Thus, conversation may flow continuously.

Lastly, just merely watching kdrama is not enough to grasp the language, but it is a good practice for someone who is already in the intermediate level. Sometimes, there are kdramas (usually teen dramas) that are not appropriate for beginner learners because the language used are not respectful. They call it ‘Banmal (반말)’ and you can never use it when speaking to older people or someone you meet for the first time. You can only say it to your friends or someone younger than you. So, one has to be careful when using it. Enough knowledge should be instilled first before applying Korean Language in a conversation.

My Bright Future with Korean Language

Two years has already passed since 2016 and I mostly spent my time maintaining my Level 4 level. When you are in this level, it is really hard to level up. Moving from Intermediate to Advanced level requires tremendous efforts which mean memorizing more vocabulary, practicing more formal writing, and doing a lot of listening exercises. It really takes more determination and time to fulfill all these.

So this year, I tried coming out of my comfort zone and did something new. I memorized more difficult words, read more complicated articles and practiced formal writing to cope up with my constraints and hopefully have a chance to succeed level 5 in October.

As of now, I am waiting for the TOPIK’s result on November 29. I am resting for 1 month now but that does not mean that I will not continue studying Korean Language.

It is my goal to pass Level 6, be fluent in Korean and be a legit translator someday. I know the way that I am taking is not an easy road but I am doing my best to fulfill them no matter how long it will take. One goal of mine is to watch and understand a kdrama without English subtitles. For now, I can only understand about 80~90% of it but I am still thrilled that I had so much improvement since day 1. I will strive hard until I can understand the drama 100%.

Edit (July 2019): If you are wondering about the score I got during that time, unfortunately, I did not pass Level 5, but I was able to retain my Level 4 standing. Despite all of my efforts, I still did not get the score that I wanted BUT!!! My writing and reading score improved while my listening skills declined a bit. My goal is still Level 6 so I am still continuing to study. I am focusing on Listening for now because I need to regain my Listening skills. Hopefully I could get at least Level 5 this coming October 2019.

Note:

I started this blog to keep track of my performance and also to help others through my realizations and experiences. My writings may or may not be of help to you but I hope at least I could help you be motivated and inspire you to keep going! Again, Korean Language is never easy and this is the least one I can do to help you. Fighting! ❤

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