Korean Wave Reshapes India: Celebrating Hangeul Day and Language Growth

Korean Language and Culture Flourish in India: Highlights from Hangeul Day

The Hallyu Wave, or Korean Wave, has gained significant momentum in India following the pandemic. The K-craze has inspired many people to learn more about Korean culture and to study the Korean language. Apeejay School in New Delhi, for the first time in India, observed Hangeul Day on October 9, commemorating the 578th anniversary of King Sejong the Great's creation and declaration of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, during the 15th century. Hwang Il Yong, the director of the Korean Cultural Center India, Dr. Neha Berlia, the executive director of the Stya and Svran Group, India, and H.E. Chang Jae-bok, the ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, graced the occasion as the chief guests. About seven hundred faculty and staff people showed up for the event.

Recognized as a UNESCO Memory of the World in 1997, Hangeul is praised by linguists around the globe for its scientific design and systematic structure. The consonants and vowels of Hangeul are crafted to resemble the shapes of human vocal organs, enabling it to represent the pronunciation of nearly any language with remarkable accuracy.

H.E. Chang Jae-bok spoke to the students at the event, highlighting the importance of learning Korean in today's world. Hangeul is unique because its creator, the time of its development, purpose, and the method of creation are all well-documented. Hangeul's design makes it easy to read and write, particularly relevant in the digital age. Many IT companies are expanding their Korean language services, underscoring the significance of Korean in developing artificial intelligence language models.

The Korean wave drove the interest of people to know more about Korean culture and significantly increased the global demand for the Korean Language. Today’s competitive landscape proficiency in Korean has become a valuable asset. Korean Cultural Centre India would continue to support Indian students’  language studies and cultural understanding. Students who are committed to learning Korean would play a key role in strengthening future ties between Korea and India. As language is an essential component of experiencing Korean culture, the Korean Cultural Centre India provides Korean language instruction nationwide through regional schools and King Sejong Institutes. There are around 2,572 middle school students studying Korean at 42 schools this year, where 39 regular classes and 28 hobby programs are being offered. In addition, enrolled participants receive Korean language instruction in eight King Sejong Institutes located in different cities such as New Delhi, Patna, Imphal, Chennai, Barasat, Pune, and Bengaluru.

The 93rd Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK), which was held in April, attracted 1,248 participants, indicating the growing interest in the Korean language in India. In addition, 735 individuals have signed up for the 96th TOPIK, which will take place on October 13. An official language proficiency score is necessary for studying abroad in Korea, according to the Center, as many general colleges in Korea require new students to reach at least level 3 and current students to obtain at least level 4 on the TOPIK.

Taekwondo is becoming more and more popular among India's youth, as evidenced by the 50% rise in the number of schools offering classes. Currently, 3,939 students nationwide receive Taekwondo instruction from 47 secondary schools. As it is essential to master a language to understand society, this occasion will increase the awareness of Hangeul and Korean culture in India. As more Indian students learn Korean, they may have a better grasp and appreciation of Korean culture.

Editor's Note:

The recent celebration of Hangeul Day at Apeejay School in New Delhi highlights a pivotal moment in promoting cultural exchange between Korea and India. As the Hallyu wave continues to inspire interest in the Korean language and culture, more young Indians are showing interest in this which is reflected by the increasing enrollment in Korean language programs. The Korean Cultural Centre India plays a crucial role in facilitating language education and cultural understanding across the country. Additionally, the rising popularity of Taekwondo among Indian youth further strengthens this connection. 

Skoobuzz anticipates that the growing enthusiasm for Korean culture and language will continue to positively influence the bilateral relationship between Korea and India in the future.