Daydreaming: Korean and Spanish

In my opinion, being able to speak, read, write, and talk in other languages is such a cool skill to have. Hence, it really isn’t easy to get that skill. It needs dedication, focus, study plan, willingness, and resources of course. In this post specifically, I will dive into my personal experience (as I always have been on this post) in learning a language. I am going to skip the topic of how I learned English until I have the skills that I have right now as it probably would just sound very boring. Instead, as to how the title said, I will write about Korean and Spanish. Bluntly says, it will focus more on Korean as I have a lot of resentment on my self because of the very-relatable picture in this post.

I will start in Spanish first because of its short journey. I first discovered an interest in Spanish is through one of the subjects offered on my IB Diploma program at UWC. Instead of learning self-taught languages which is Bahasa Indonesia at UWC, I would rather push myself to learn another new language. Matter of fact, the result of my not-so two years experiences has a significant result. I am quite far from being called native, but I have surprisingly familiar with the Spanish language. If the familiarity of hearing Korean for me is 9 out of 10, Spanish would be around 5 or 6. I would not understand the whole conversation, but I quite get the idea. Especially after binging La Casa del Papel on Netflix, it really boosts my listening ability and familiarize myself even more on Spanish. Once I really put my brain and seriousness on learning this, I think I would get advance real quick as I have learned the majority of its grammar, basic vocab, sentence structure, and such. But it ain’t happening in the near future as I am focusing on Korean during this pandemic.

Okay, let’s get into the real deal. Korean? I understand it. I could speak it. I could read and write Hangul. But the problem is I don’t know its grammar and sentence structure properly. Familiarity is the big word here for me. I have basically listened and know Korean (whatever that be, kpop, dramas, friends, etc) for like 7 years. Yup when I was just 12 years old, I first discovered Korean through Girls Generation and Super Junior. Well, my first ever K-drama is a 2008 TV Series called Temptation of Wife, but I was young and don’t quite aware of the language. But if you count that, it would be 12 years since the first time I was being exposed to Korean. OH MY GOD. I just realized that while I am writing this. THIS IS MADNESS. Ah also Runningman is a huge hit. I even have this long period of time watching their video continuously every week from episode 250-390. They are now at episode 504. Don’t be surprised, I have A LOT MORE experience in the Korean Culture that you would expect. I KNOW IT IS MENTAL AND DON’T TELL ME I AM OBSESSED CUZ I AM NOT. Hmm, I would agree if you say a little bit obsessed 😊.

During Middle school and most of my high school time in Indonesia, I would watch kdrama every day or at least 8 hours in a week. Possibly even more! Dramacool9, KissAsian, and other kdrama website were my best friends. This continues when I study at UWC but not so often. Probably around 2-3 hours weekly. Even till now, I am still watching either drama or movies. Currently, I’m on Hospital Playlist and The King: Eternal (Not the world of marriage please!). I am also following the actor, news surrounds movies, and dramas, as to how I know every Korean Idol. Seriously though, I can’t seem fully able to express how much I have exposed to Korean Culture. I know it may seem bad as I don’t even know any more about Indonesian Celebrity and its entertainment field. But trust me it was and still my source of happiness. Don’t fight me on this, I have every argument to counterattack you! I think I should change the title into “HOW I AM BASICALLY KOREAN” lol. When people asked me about western series, have I watched this or not, I would just sit and shake my head. But if they asked about Korea, there is probably a big possibility I would know the answer. Nevertheless, It was still a great part of my past and present. I can’t say I didn’t regret it because sometimes I did. But hey, I got one language down here! So, what’s there to protest?   

In conclusion, I have this dream of mastering 5 languages before 25 years. I got two down (English and Bahasa) and in the progress of getting the other two down (Korean and Spanish). The truth, I have been studying Korean every day nowadays. Now I just need to start Spanish and really doing it well. If I could choose one more language, which one should I choose? Some European languages maybe like German or French or Dutch or maybe even Arabic?? I’m not sure, give me some ideas!

PS: It will be much easier to learn a language if you get really into their culture especially entertainment as it gets easier to familiarize yourself just like Korean and Spanish for me.