Why are you interested in Korean?I’m interested in Korean for many reasons. First, I will mention its people. Living in Japan, sometimes I have the opportunity to meet Korean people, both from South Korea and North Korea, as well as Korean citizens with status of permanent residents in Japan. These citizens immigrated to Japan a long time ago. Then, there are Korean descendants who may speak bilingually or to a certain degree; there are half-Koreans (Korean-Japanese, Korean-Chinese, Korean-“you name one country”) etc. I like the diversity as I can learn about both Japan and Korea from their perspective.
Second, I’m fond of history. Korean has a very long history, even longer than Japan’s and it is interesting for me, to understand about Korean, Japanese, Chinese, East Asian, World history from Korean point of view.
Third, Korean traditions on philosophy, way of life, etiquette and manners, marriage, funerals, tea ceremony, clothing, mythology, folklore and other beliefs and traditions. I’m also interested in their homes (interior design, garden etc), religion (to a lesser extent). Although it is not my focus, sometimes I read about Shamanism, Taoism, Buddhism and some other religions. I try to understand how they influenced Korean culture and society and how different some aspects are, when compared to Japanese culture and society.
Fourth, art is something that inevitably I read about, I watch videos, try to look for lots of information. I’m interested in Korean calligraphy, flower arrangements, gardens, pottery and porcelain, paintings, Buddhist arts etc. I also like performing Korean music, performing arts, dancing and literature.
Fifth, Korean martial arts or sports are of my interest. I’m particularly more inclined to ssireum, though more popular ones such as Taekwondo is also very interesting.
Lastly, I’m interested in Korean because I can get access to one culture if I learn to read to a high level and become fluent on the language.
What is your goal for this language? That is, would you like to speak at a college with academic level Korean, decode messages for the military with your superior listening ability, or just browse idols' tweets on Twitter?As of 2019, I’m following the “no goals” approach, as in, I don’t care how much I will improve. My priority is over some other languages. In a long term, however, I’d like to be able to read books and other things of my interest, as well as be able to communicate with Koreans on topics of my interest.
Do you have a favorite Korean language song? If so, what is it? Embed the video in your post if you like.A favorite one? I don’t have one and only one song. It depends on my mood, but I’ll leave here some that I like to listen from time to time.
1. Yiruma, (이루마) - River Flows in You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7maJOI3QMu0The version below is with vocals by Yiruma himself. I like both versions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXeValS-RMM2. Yiruma - Kiss the rain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imGaOIm5HOk3. A duo with 양희은 & AKMU
This is a very touching song. I really like its lyrics as I can resonate with the words expressed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPzbTJN5wVc4. 김광석
I'm an old school...He is one of my all-time favorite Korean singers. He was famous on early 90's or perhaps even before, when the Korean society was in another stage or transition to more developed and rapid industrialization, among other changes in other spheres. His songs got popular due to its sentimental lyrics. It touched many Koreans at that time and that generation. Unfortunately he died at a very young age, but I still listen to his songs.
Here are two songs:
김광석 - 이등병의 편지
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbvaYfJh6kM김광석 서른즈음에
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu5Gbv0e_4c넬
I really like Nell. Just few songs I listened recently.
넬 - 기억을 걷는 시간)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEElVBPGoJY넬 - 도쿄
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aYIdZZUX6YThere are many artists I could have listed here. The list above just represents some of my favorites.
What is your favorite feature of the Korean language that you've encountered so far in your studies? Be as technical as you wish, or just fangirl in layspeak about the logic of the language - we don't care how you express it or what your knowledge base is.None at the moment. I'd like to learn Korean to identify some differences in the lexicon, morphology, phonology and syntax between dialects from the North and South countries as well as feel the differences on the language or dialect of Jeju one day. This place is on my radar and I might go there to see how mutually intelligible it will be.
Well, actually I like how Korean sounds. It is definitely one of the most beautiful languages I have ever heard.
Have anything else you'd like to share about yourself? Go ahead!