By Honorary Reporter Minnath Azeez from Sri Lanka
Photos = Olivia Ih's official Instagram page

Olivia Ih is a Korean French announcer who recently emceed at the recently concluded Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics (Gangwon 2024). Born to a Korean father who played for his national tennis team and a French mother who is a retired professor of diplomacy, she grew up in France before moving to Korea in 2012 to pursue a Ph.D. at Ewha Womans University. 

Holding a bachelor's and master's from the University of Paris-Diderot in France and doing post-graduate study in China, she worked as a TV presenter before teaching French at universities in Korea. 

Today, she teaches French at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul. She has also emceed events like those for Busan's bid for the 2030 World Expo, P4G Seoul Summit and 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Her brother Adrien has hosted programs on Arirang TV.

The following are excerpts from a Feb. 7 interview with her via Zoom.

Olivia Ih (center) poses with other emcees at the Gangwon Youth Winter Olympics.

Why did you pursue emceeing?
I've always wanted to work in TV and public speaking is quite natural for me. Emceeing as a career came by chance, however. My first gig was at a singing competition in French for high school and university students. The organizers were looking for someone to host, and I offered to help. Through this event, more people found out about me and I got requests to present at their events.

What was it like being an announcer at Gangwon 2024?

Since joining the ministry, I've taken part in numerous public events. After being an emcee at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, I was invited to do the same for Gangwon 2024.

Olivia Ih was the French-language announcer at the closing ceremony of Gangwon 2024.

Name your most memorable moments at Gangwon 2024's opening ceremony.

Seeing all of the countries' flags in one place to symbolize global unity through sportsmanship and spirit was especially rewarding. And being approached by fans who recognized my voice at the venue was memorable and gratifying.

What challenges did you face at the opening ceremony?
Despite smooth rehearsals on the previous day, we had a flagbearer mishap at the live event, with an order different from rehearsals and my script. Adaptability was crucial as I led with French, followed by English and Korean. Despite the delay in flag positioning, I announced the correct flag, and this incident highlighted the importance of being ready for changes and thoroughly checking scripts before events.

French-language script for Gangwon 2024

What memorable event from another event do you recall?

The PyeongChang Olympics marked a breakthrough in my career. It felt rewarding to use my talent for my country, especially since my mother had also emceed in French during Korea's first Olympics in 1988. Doing the same almost 30 years later was deeply meaningful to me.

At the PyeongChang Olympics, I had my two-month-old baby but didn't want to miss hosting an international event. I relocated my family temporarily to Pyeongchang-gun County, Gangwon-do Province, to balance work and caring for my baby throughout the four-week event.

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 Korean.