✍️ Why I Write: A Promise Kept After 25 Years
✍️ Why I Write: A Promise Kept After 25 Years & My New Mission
👋 Hi there, my friend!
Whether you found this blog through a random search or a specific question, I'm so glad you're here. I want you to know one thing right from the start: I am always rooting for you.
I know how challenging it can be to start something new or to hit a wall while learning. Whatever your reason for being here, I am dedicated to helping you overcome those hurdles and making your journey a little easier. Let's talk, person to person.
💼 More Than Just an "Ordinary Uncle"
You might see me as just an "ordinary Korean uncle" in his 50s, but for the past 20 years, I’ve lived a very intense life in the corporate world. I’ve navigated the complexities of HR, Sales, and even served as a COO.
In those roles, I learned that business isn't just about language; it's about understanding people, culture, and the "invisible rules" of the workplace. That is exactly what I want to share with you. While professional teachers are great at grammar, I can tell you stories and nuances that only someone who has led a company for 20 years can know.
🔗 Real Business Insight: The Art of Saying "No" Politely in Korean Business
🤝 I've Been in Your Shoes
I’m also a language learner. I’ve struggled with English and Japanese, and I still deal with those "blank mind" moments when I can't find the right word. I know the frustration of feeling like a beginner again.
Because I've felt that struggle, I want to be more than a teacher—I want to be your mentor. I want to help you save the time and money I lost by making mistakes. I’m doing this because I truly want you to succeed.
📚 Why I’m Learning to Teach (Properly)
Speaking a language and teaching it are two completely different skills. I realized that if I’m going to take your precious time and energy, I owe it to you to be the best guide possible.
That’s why I’m currently studying for my Korean Language Teacher Certification. I’m deep in the books, learning the mechanics of my own language so I can explain it to you clearly and systematically. By March 2027, I’ll be a certified professional, but until then, I’m combining my new academic knowledge with 20 years of real-world business experience to give you a unique learning experience.
🔗 My Commitment: Why I decided to become a certified Korean teacher
🍁 A Promise Kept After 25 Years
About 25 years ago, I was a broke student in Canada, trying to learn English. A Canadian friend took me in, fed me, and helped me adjust without asking for a penny. When I asked how I could pay him back, he told me:
This blog—nearly 500 posts now—is my way of finally keeping that promise. Even though my "Gap Year" is over and I'm back to my busy corporate life, I will never stop writing. Because helping you understand Korea better is my way of making the world a bit warmer.
🔗 My Journey: When One Door Closes, Another Opens: My Gap Year Story
🎁 My Message to You: The Power of 1%
As I continue this journey, I often think about a quote from one of my favorite books, "Atomic Habits" by James Clear:
"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems."
Learning Korean is not about a single big achievement; it's about the small, daily systems you build. Even 1% progress every day leads to incredible results over time.
Don't worry about being perfect today. Just focus on showing up. Whether it's reading one of my posts or practicing one sentence, that small habit is your "system" for success. I am here to be a part of your system, helping you grow 1% better every day.
I truly hope this year brings you steady progress and the joy of discovering a new version of yourself through Korean.
