Online Korean Language Speech Contest Attracts One-of-a-kind Contestants | Be Korea-savvy

Online Korean Language Speech Contest Attracts One-of-a-kind Contestants


Seen in the photo are contestants of the 23rd World Korean Language Speech Contest for Foreigners. (Yonhap)

Seen in the photo are contestants of the 23rd World Korean Language Speech Contest for Foreigners. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, July 19 (Korea Bizwire)The 23rd World Korean Language Speech Contest for Foreigners, held online Thursday for the very first time, was a stage for one-of-a-kind contestants.

Zeynep Ben Hamza, a 21-year-old contestant from Tunisia and the winner of a Korean speech contest held at the Korean embassy in Tunisia, is a speaker of five languages.

“I began to take interest in the Korean language since I was a teenager with K-pop,” he said.

“I never expected that I’d be so hooked to the Korean language.”

“I learned five languages including English, Chinese, and German when I was young,” said Lai Chao-Jung, a 27-year-old contestant from Taiwan.

“Now my friend challenged me to learn Korean.”

Lai’s passion for Korea, too, stood out as she has visited Korea on many occasions, and even joined a study abroad program in the country.

“I began to study the Korean language because I wanted to enjoy Korean variety shows without subtitles,” said Rahmadani Sahri, a 27-year-old contestant from Indonesia who is currently studying electronic engineering at Kyung Hee University.

“I began listening to K-pop in 2013, and made Korean friends,” said Fabio Brais Gonzales Prieto, a 22-year-old contestant from Madrid, Spain.

“I fell in love with the Korean language the more I learned about Korean culture and customs.”

H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)

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