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More Malaysians learning Korean language as K-wave continues to take world by storm

  • Korean is one of fastest-growing languages in world, recently ranked 7th most-studied language on Duolingo app, while Mandarin was 8th
  • For many young fans, part of the cultural appeal is a sense of escapism that K-pop and K-dramas bring

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Malaysian teacher Nura Ezzatie (front), who teaches Korean, with some of her students. Photo: Handout

Malaysian teacher Nura Ezzatie begins all her TikTok videos with the Korean greeting “Annyeonghaseyo!”.

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She started her channel in 2021 to share tips on learning Korean. Now she has over 180,000 followers.

But her journey with the language started over a decade ago, as an 18-year-old obsessing over K-pop group Super Junior, spending her days watching TV shows featuring the group, like millions across Asia transfixed by Korean culture.
Malaysian teacher Nura Ezzatie, 30, has been a fan of Korean language and culture for years. Photo: Handout
Malaysian teacher Nura Ezzatie, 30, has been a fan of Korean language and culture for years. Photo: Handout

Her only gripe was that she had to watch episodes a week late while she waited for subtitles.

“My vision at the time was that one day, I’d want to watch and understand Korean TV shows without subtitles,” said the 30-year-old. “I think from that moment on I decided to learn Korean.”

Unable to afford classes at Korean language centres, she found free lessons on YouTube.

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Now she is returning the favour – sharing study tips with her online followers who are also trying to learn the language.

Nura has also grown her interest for the language into a career, teaching Korean at a secondary school in the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan.
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