By Honorary Reporter Marianna Szucs from Hungary

Photo = Marianna Szucs

The Korean tiger in 2020 gave me several happy memories. The first was the opening event of a Korean literary book club I organized with my students in which we read the Korean folk tale "The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon." This was so successful that it motivated me to explore more traditional Korean stories.

"The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon" is a classic Korean folktale. (Marianna Szucs)

Next, my first article for Korea.net, a piece about Korean women forced into sexual slavery by Japan, was posted on the main site and in the April issue of KOREA magazine. This has made me proud because this article focused on an important topic.

My first collaborative article with a fellow Honorary Reporter as part of the "Stay Strong, Korea" series, "Indulge in K-beauty while social distancing," provided a perfect distraction from the pandemic-induced lockdown.

Both of these articles also attracted the attention of Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook. I was one of several Honorary Reporters she named at the induction ceremony as those with exceptional articles. I will never forget when I saw my name among the recipients.

My gifts from Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook (Marianna Szucs)

I also won third prize at the Preston Sejong Institute's Korean-language writing competition to mark Hangeul Day. My entry is pictured below, and it gave me tranquility and escape from the stress of the pandemic.

My "Hangeul and Minhwa" entry for the Korean Writing Competition at Preston SI (Marianna Szucs)

The Korean tiger also inspires me in my everyday life. My friends and family know how passionate I am about Korean culture, so they surprised me with thoughtful gifts. My coffee mug and the picture in my room with my lovely minhwa (Korean folk painting) tiger give me strength to carry on.

My minhwa tiger cup and painting in my room (Marianna Szucs)

My best memory of the year, however, was receiving the Best Honorary Reporter 2020 Award at the K-Healing ON Festival, which honors the best Honorary Reporters, K-Influencers and Talk Talk Korea competition winners of the year. The award arrived just before Christmas as the perfect present that crowned my entire year.

My Korea.net K-Button Award was the perfect Christmas present. (Marianna Szucs)

enny0611@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.