By Honorary Reporter Kadishi Oliseh from Nigeria
Photos = Uke Gabriel Tersoo

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul's Jongno-gu District on Dec. 23, 2025, hosted the awards ceremony for the inaugural Koreaz Content Contest under its digital global campaign "Vibe with Us."

Under the theme "Solace Found in Everyday Life," the event drew contestants worldwide who used generative artificial intelligence to share their connections of Korean culture with their own. The grand prize went to Uke Gabriel Tersoo, a videographer and content creator based in Abuja, Nigeria, known for cross-cultural visual storytelling.

The following are excerpts from an email and Instagram interview with Tersoo on Dec. 29.

Uke Gabriel Tersoo(left) poses with his award and gift certificate at the awards ceremony for the inaugural Koreaz Content Contest at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul's Jongno-gu District.

How did you find out about the competition and what interested you about it?

I found out about it on the Korean Cultural Center in Nigeria's Instagram page. What intrigued me was that the theme wasn't asking for something overly "perfect" but about comfort in everyday life. I knew I could tell that kind of story in a real way.

What was the idea behind your winning video?

I wanted to show how Korean culture has become part of my daily life in Nigeria and the ways it comforts me through music, movement, stories and energy. I approached it as a simple and honest "day-in-my-life" blend of both countries.

How did you grow interested in Korea and how did it influence your video?

It started with K-pop. I met some amazing dancers and that opened the door for me to explore more of Korean culture. That interest then expanded to taekwondo, K-dramas, percussion, Hanbok (traditional clothing) and food, all of which became the inspiration for the video.

What message did you want to send through your video?

That comfort can come from the little things -- music, movement, community and stories -- and that culture can connect people even when they're far apart. Basically, everyday life can be lighter when you find things that genuinely make you happy.

Uke Gabriel Tersoo at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul's Jongno-gu District

What was your visit to Korea like, especially at the awards ceremony?

Being in Korea felt surreal like stepping into places that I'd only seen online. The awards ceremony made everything feel real and official, and meeting the other winners was especially meaningful. The connection was instant and the vibes genuine.

Uke Gabriel Tersoo poses for photos at the Seoul cultural neighborhood of Insa-dong (left) in Jongno-gu District and Lotte World Tower in Songpa-gu District.