By Honorary Reporter Aqsa Khalil from Pakistan
Photos = Billy Go 

Billy Go, an American YouTuber based in Los Angeles, has carved out a unique niche through his YouTube channel GoBillyKorean. As a content creator and author, he has chronicled his journey from a student of the Korean language to an educator, offering valuable insights on the language learning process.

I found his teaching method particularly effective because he approaches the subject from a learner's perspective. His comprehensive textbook series Korean Made Simple helped me grasp Korean grammar concepts, leading me to ask him for an interview.

The following are excerpts from an email interview with him from May 10-13.

Billy Go is the brains behind the textbook series Korean Made Simple.

Describe your background and why you opted to learn Korean.
I've been learning Korean since 2005, and teaching it on YouTube since 2012. I studied Japanese before Korean and had always been interested in learning languages. My first exposure to Korean came from high school friends who taught me basic expressions. Later in college, I made several Korean friends who inspired me to learn the language more seriously.

What challenges did you face while learning Korean, especially as a foreigner?
Learning by myself was challenging; from the Korean alphabet Hangeul to grammar, word order and pronunciation. But persistence was key. The cultural differences were also significant, especially in how Koreans use sarcasm, approach small talk and share meals. While I'm still adapting to some aspects of Korean culture, I've learned to adjust my personality when in Korea.

Billy Go prepares to film content for his YouTube videos on learning Korean.

How did you transition from student of Korean to teacher?
Around 2010, I started helping people on online forums with common questions about Korean grammar, particles and sentence structure. This evolved into creating YouTube videos to address these recurring topics more efficiently. 

How do you incorporate Korean culture into your lessons and why is it important?
Culture is inseparable from language learning. When teaching grammar or expressions, I always explain their cultural context, whether it's about polite speech forms or food-related phrases. Understanding these cultural nuances is crucial for truly mastering the language.

What do you think of Korean's growing popularity and any tips for novices?
Korean has gained popularity largely through K-pop, Korean culture and media. While people used to learn mainly due to personal connections, it's now more accessible and "cooler" to learn Korean. 

My advice to beginners is simple: Just start. You don't need a huge time commitment initially, but do need a clear reason for learning. That motivation will help you persist through challenges. 

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.