An Arabic-language story by Honorary Reporter Alaa Atef Ebada from Egypt on an interview with the deputy spokesman for the United Nations chief was the most-read story written by Honorary Reporters in the last week of September. (Arabic-language section of Korea.net) 

By Kim Eunhee and Yoon Sojung

Alaa Atef Ebada from Egypt's interview in English with Farhan Aziz Haq, a Pakistani American deputy spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, was the most-read story among those by Honorary Reporters in the last week of September.

This shows the high interest of readers of Arabic as well as English stories in K-pop sensation BTS' speech to the U.N. Another article in Arabic on halal restaurants in Korea ranked second, followed by two in English and one in French.

■ Deputy spokesman for UN chief lauds BTS' role at General Assembly (Alaa Atef Ebada from Egypt in Arabic)

In the interview, Deputy Spokesperson Haq thanked BTS for its speech on Sept. 20 at the opening ceremony of the second Sustainable Development Goals Moment at U.N. headquarters in New York.

■ 'Yalla K-halal 2021' introduces halal restaurants in Korea (Esraa Elzeny from Egypt in Arabic)

No. 2 was another article in Arabic, this time about "Yalla K-halal 2021" by Esraa Elzeny from Egypt. Hosted by the Korea Tourism Organization and running from Oct. 1-31, this annual event marks its sixth anniversary this year. Introducing restaurants in Korea serving halal food from around the globe, the reporter called the event a good opportunity for Muslim tourists to learn more about the country's halal offerings.

■ Interview with designer of Hanbok featuring traditional knots (Minnath Azeez from Sri Lanka in English)

The third spot was taken by Minnath Azeez from Sri Lanka, whose interview in English was with Kim Jeong-sun, founder of the Hanbok brand Sundaum. As a designer of the traditional Korean attire with a modern interpretation of traditional knots, Kim said, "Even if the design is completed with subsidiary materials and colors, Korean knots have an unchanging design."

"With Generation Z preferring to wear more casual Hanbok, I think that traditional knots are getting more popular."

Modern Hanbok outfits with the customized butterfly chain norigae on belts (Sundaum)

■ French illustrator spreads everyday cheer via Happy Seoul Project (Preeti Rawat from India in English)

An interview in English with French illustrator Charlotte Leseault was fourth. Since 2019, she has conducted her Happy Seoul Project, a single-person venture to cheer up residents of the capital by spreading stickers with smiley faces and messages of encouragement across the city.

Leseault said, "I hope this project can give people strength and remind them that they are precious humans."

The Happy Seoul Project aims to cheer up residents of the capital.

■ [Selected articles from August mission] July 14 in France: When is French Revolution Day? (Nathalie Fisz from France in French)

At No. 5 was a French-language article selected among those by Honorary Reporters who participated in the monthly mission for August under the theme "Light up your independence." Nathalie Fisz from France wrote about Bastille Day, a national holiday in France falling on July 14 that commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789; the incident launched the French Revolution. Fisz explained the history of the revolution and a big festival held every year to mark the occasion.

Sixth to 10th are on the list are below.

6. Viewing artwork inspired by Sacheonwangsa Temple in London (Farah Lim from U.K. in English))

7. Korean history through textbooks (Ena Sofia Azcona Castillo de Mexico in Spanish)

8. Moroccan designer combines Hanbok with her nation's traditional fashion (Meryem Qozbour from Morocco in English))

9. Hype in Germany surrounding 'Squid Game' (Anna-Lena Kwelik from Germany in German)

10. Upcycling fashion brand gains fame for designing suits for BTS (Oshini Jayamuni from Sri Lanka in English))