*ONE SPOT LEFT* A native Korean speaker with 10 years of teaching experience in Sydney

Find out more about Kevin

• Did you grow up speaking this language? Or were you inspired by a trip abroad, an individual or a certain aspect of the culture?

  Korean is my first language. I was born in Seoul, South Korea and then moved to Australia. I graduated high school and university here in Australia.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  I think one of the K-pop groups, BTS is the emblematic representative of Korean culture. As they have become famous globally, through their performance, they have become iconic ambassadors of Korean culture as well as the Korean language.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or expression in the language that you particularly like?

  There's a Korean phrase I absolutely adore: "고생 끝에 낙이 온다" (gosaeng kkeut-e nagi onda), which means "After adversity comes happiness. A beautiful story of resilience and hope that has taken over." deeply rooted in Korean culture has shown. There is light at the dark end even in difficult times." A reminder that it always happens.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Speaking Korean matters to me, because it connects me to my cultural heritage and also let me stay in touch with my Korean roots. Also, there are personal/professional opportunities when you are bilingual in Korean and English. Lastly, it gives me the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  Learning Korean does come with its own challenges, I won't deny that. As the writing system, Hangul is very different from what English speakers are used to it can be very challenging. Korean grammar structures are also complitcated. But I believe that regular classes, exposure to native speakers, and exposure to Korean media such as dramas and musicals can definitely make a difference in the world all in the curriculum.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  Back in high school, I remember coming back to high school in Australia and struggling to adjust to the new environment and language. During a class lecture, I accidentally blurted out a Korean phrase instead of English. I was supposed to say "I'm worried," but I accidentally said "아 긴장돼" (ah ginjangdwae). There was a bit of silence, and everyone including myself laughed. I thought that learning a language can have funny and embarrassing moments, but it's all part of the journey.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  I did not actually have the opportunity to travel often during my school days. I think being in Korean-speaking environments, both online and offline can be helpful in improving my language skills. Interacting with native speakers, whether through language exchange programs or online communities, has allowed me to practice conversational Korean and gain insight into cultural nuances. In addition, watching Korean movies, dramas, and even planning future trips to South Korea have expanded my knowledge of the language and deepened my appreciation for the rich fabric of Korean culture