By Honorary Reporter Katerina Lygkoni from Greece

(Korea.net DB)

I joined Korea.net's Honorary Reporters in 2015 just before returning to Greece from studying in Korea. This incredible program is an opportunity to keep open the bridge between Korea and my country as it does with Korea and other nations.

The induction ceremony organized by Korea.net was a two-day hospitable party that included visiting museums, attending traditional music performances, tasting delicious Korean food and equally important, meeting and interacting with passionate Korea fans from all over the world. I remember several of the five "H" words were presented to us: Hanbok (traditional costumes), Hansik (Korean food) and Hanok (traditional house).

As an Honorary Reporter, I've grown more observant on themes and topics related to Korea in my country and Europe and around the world. These topics include the Korean War, Korea's rapid economic development, the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics and the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympiad, the Korean Australian runner-up at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest (Dami Im), Korean musicians of classical music at the Greek National Opera House, Korean modern artists at the Athens Art Biennale and the Greek Festival, old Korean poetry hiding at a unique museum in downtown Athens and Korean technological innovations tested at the Athens Classic Marathon. I was happy to find stories about Korea in my country and write about them.

(Korea.net DB)

With fellow Honorary Reporters who became my friends, we recorded and exchanged new and exciting knowledge as well as share the thrill of memorable moments in contemporary Korean history like inter-Korean summits, the success of the PyeongChang Olympiad and the Hallyu boom abroad. We also felt honored and privileged to be in this special family thanks to the efforts and care of Korea.net coordinators who often recognized our contributions. They traveled with us to places with hidden treasures that we fell in love with, such as the coastal city of Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do Province.

Our hope is that 2020 and the years ahead will further enrich Honorary Reporters with new members and more exciting news to report on Korea and the world.

(Katerina Lygkoni)

chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.