The Honorary Reporters program run by the Korean Cultural and Information Services (KOCIS) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea has engaged many people worldwide who share a love for Korea. The number of members started from just 42 in 2011 and grew to 4,834 last year, with many from India joining to show their articles, illustrations, videos and more featuring Korea. The following are selected moments from 2022 mentioned by Honorary Reporters from India.

Sanya Bhardwaj and the commemorative stickers of KOCIS that she created (Sanya Bhardwaj)

Sanya Bhardwaj, who joined the program in 2020, is a creative illustrator of the exclusive commemorative stickers for KOCIS featured on May 21 last year at the Honorary Reporters' orientation and workshop. She said this event was her best Honorary Reporter moment last year.

"It was an impromptu idea inspired by the KOCIS mascot Kocnuni. I'm truly thankful that I could warmly welcome the new Honorary Reporter family through my art," she said. "I hope that such opportunities keep coming our way through this program and allow us to interact with our fellow reporters and appreciate each other's work."

Jubby Kumar and her award-winning digital illustration for the Hangeul calligraphy contest in October (Jubby Kumar)

Jubby Kumar, who joined last year, found it hard to choose one moment as she said her year with KOCIS was "exciting and fun-filled." She ultimately settled on her selection as one of the winners of a Hangeul calligraphy contest in October. Her work was published on the official website, and she said she learned a lot about Korea in the process.

Riya Choudhary calls her journey as an Honorary Reporter rewarding. (Riya Choudhary)

Riya Choudhary, an Honorary Reporter since last year, wrote 17 articles and called her journey an "exciting and enriching experience." "Korean culture has given me a feeling of warmth and happiness, so being an HR was a way to express my appreciation for Korea as well as connecting with HRs worldwide and hone my reporter skills through KOCIS workshops and projects," she said. She also thanked the program's managers for their support in helping the Honorary Reporters grow and ensuring smooth operations.

Seema Thomas and her articles posted on Korea.net's main website (Seema Thomas)

Seema Thomas, who joined last year, said the program has been "a unique learning experience" that offers her the opportunity to challenge herself and broaden her horizons. On her best moment in the program last year, she said, "I found it quite challenging to identify the right people and approach them to write interview articles. I conducted four interviews last year, one of which was published on Korea.net." Thomas also took part in the year-end K-wave Festival via webinar.

Preeti Rawat and her special award as an Honorary Reporter (Preeti Rawat)

As for yours truly, I joined the program in 2019 and the special award I received from the festival was my best moment last year. I also enjoyed working on my articles and interviewing people from a variety of sectors as it helped me grow as a journalist by forcing me from my comfort zone and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

kalhong617@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.