By Honorary Reporter Tsveti Pashovska from Bulgaria

Photos = Tsveti Pashovska

The K-influencer Academy is how lovers of Korea get trained on how media works, including learning to create valuable content for one's channel. A reliable team of managers will support and lead you to success during the process. This article is on how the academy became part of and changed my life.

My Instagram channel's name is Kakao Gua.

As a lover of Korea who sought a connection with this colorful nation, I looked for something new after the pandemic broke out last year. I came across the academy and applied for it. All I had to do was to shoot a video in which I explained why I loved Korea and why I applied. I was so scared because I had never uploaded such a video on YouTube. But I knew that this would help me achieve my dream of being a reporter covering Korea.

This is my profile page on the K-influencer Academy's channel.

I was accepted by the program, which had two main groups: general and intensive K-influencers. Initially placed in the general category, I watched the educational videos that the academy provided and read about all the trends and materials that they sent to me. My diligence earned me entry into the intensive group. I also met amazing people who supported me. Each team has a manager who helps members succeed.

We received weekly missions and a deadline to finish them. Each mission has a topic and recommendations for a video title or main topic. After finishing the mission, I received feedback and advice on what to improve.

At first, I didn't know exactly what I want to upload and talking in front of the camera was tough, but I enjoy this so much now. I learned to plan before making a video, edit it, stay calm and create entertaining content.

My greatest achievement was when I got an award in July last year for exemplary work. I did a collaborative video with the famous Korean vlogger itsjinakim. I also met another YouTube vlogger who taught me more about YouTube standards.

I did a collaborative YouTube video with a famous Korean vlogger.

My team manager also offered great opportunities during the program, one of them being the "Special Mission" in which members watch Korea.net's livestream in shifts and look for errors.

What I learned from this academy are confidence, being myself in public and in front of the camera, and most importantly, not being afraid of leaving my comfort zone. I shot videos in public and talked in front of a large number of people. For example, I asked the manager of a large supermarket if I was allowed to shoot a video there and also attended Korea-related exhibitions and events to make videos and hold interviews. 

All of these amazing memories would've been impossible had I never left my comfort zone.

I attended plenty of Korea-related events in Bulgaria as a K-influencer.

So I suggest that anyone considering joining the K-influencer Academy should do so. Who knows, you could be one of the honorees of the program.