By Honorary Reporter Arachika Kapoor from India

Photos= Arachika Kapoor

After discovering the Korean folk song "Arirang" by accident, I decided to dig deeper into Korean culture.

I don't remember how and when I became a fan of Korean culture, but I find it remarkable how Korea has spread Hallyu (Korean Wave) across all continents. For that, I give kudos to the collective efforts of Korean Cultural Centers (KCCs), the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), Korean embassies and other institutions that promote Korea around the world. My thanks also go out to people who wholeheartedly embrace different cultures, be it in the form of music, TV, art, history, technology or skincare.

With my interest in things Korean piqued, I started writing about Korean culture for magazines and websites. In January last year, I entered King Sejong Institute at the KCC in New Delhi, India, to study Korean. Studying at the institute is more than just learning the language. With the center hosting monthly exhibitions, cultural and food workshops and other activities, students get ample opportunities to volunteer and learn more about Korean culture and mannerisms.

Months later, I was honored to be appointed an Honorary Repotrter for Korea's official government website, Korea.net. I started writing more about Korean culture and covering Korea-related events in India, and felt special about writing for a Korean website. In addition, my first webtoon (online comic) on the history of Korea's economic development was published.

Soon afterwards, my teachers at Sejong offered me the opportunity to join the writing team for the first Korean-language textbook for Indian schools. The KCC-published book seeks to introduce the Korean language and culture to students through content like Hangeul, Korean phrases and grammar, and cultural aspects of Korea like Hanbok, Korean items on the UNESCO World Heritage list and Korean food.

Toward the end of the year, the KTO hosted the program "I Love Korea Supporters," which promoted tourism in Korea and Korean culture via social media. At the end of this three-month program, the tourism body chose me to speak at the "Korea Supporters Meet" in New Delhi. Through monthly video chats, quizzes and volunteering, we learned so much about Korea during the program, and most importantly, we met Korean officials and diplomats as well as fellow Hallyu enthusiasts.

In the hope of further contributing to the spread of Hallyu, I started a blog (www.arakorearirang.com) in January this year. Because "Arirang" will always hold a special place in my heart since this folk song is how I discovered Korean culture, I named my blog as a wordplay using my initials and the word "Arirang."

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.