By Honorary Reporter Alessandra Marini from Italy
Photos = Alessandra Marini

My mother died in March 2020 from cancer and the COVID-19 pandemic just started to lock down the world. I felt lost and didn't know how to deal with all of this.

One evening, my husband and I were just scrolling through Netflix and stumbled on the hit K-drama "Crash Landing on You." We'd always been interested in Asia but knew little about Korea and had never seen a Korean drama. 

Watching the series was a sliding door that changed my life. I never imagined that a show could make me feel so many intense emotions, crying and laughing so much watching it. This is how my wonderful journey with Korean dramas began, with a unique form of storytelling so different from what I was used to.

I began studying Korean to better understand the meaning and tone of dialogue in K-dramas. Other than English, I'd never studied a foreign tongue before but was willing to do it to learn more about my beloved Korea.

My interest in Korea also helped me cope with my loss and made being stuck at home easier due to the pandemic. We sought Korean cuisine, and as soon as we could do so, we hit all the Korean restaurants in Milan. My city has many authentic places so our passion for Korean food and soju (traditional liquor) grew.

I wore a Hanbok in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do Province, during my trip to Korea in August last year.

We started planning our first trip to Korea. We couldn't travel yet due to COVID-19 but wanted to be ready as soon as the restrictions were lifted.

One evening, YouTube suggested a video of BTS at the United Nations. I'd never listened to the group because K-pop music didn't interest me, but when I saw the seven members discuss important issues and dance at the U.N. with their sweet smiles and comforting words, I felt another life-changing sliding door. My intense passion for BTS and how the group changed my life deserve a separate article.

In spring last year, travel restrictions were lifted and tourism resumed in Korea. We immediately booked a flight to Seoul, and with our son, 5, we set off that August for a monthlong visit to the country. I cannot express in words how great it felt to be in Korea and eat authentic jjajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce), drink soju in the country and speak Korean.

We tried a variety of makgeolli (rice wine), visited incredible places and most importantly met incredibly sweet people. At every bus stop, a lady always gave our son a cookie or candy and restaurant staff treated us like family.

We loved our trip so much that we planned another in the following year -- we couldn't help ourselves. Korea has an irresistible pull like nothing else and my love story with the country has just begun.

I visited in August last year a popular makgeolli (rice wine) bar in Seoul.

msjeon22@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.