10 Interesting Reasons to Learn Korean Language Today

Why learn the Korean Language: There are a lot of languages in the world, and it can be tough to decide which one to learn. Some people choose based on the country or region where they want to be able to travel and communicate with the locals. Others may prefer a language that is commonly spoken in their home country.

But did you know that Korean is becoming an increasingly popular language to learn?

There are many reasons to choose Korean! It’s an interesting and unique language with a rich culture and history. Plus, it’s growing in popularity all over the world.

Amazing Facts About the Korean Language

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea both use Korean as their official language (North Korea). Significant Korean communities exist in Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Russia, and the former USSR, as well as the United States, and around 75 million people worldwide speak Korean. Because of South Korea’s powerful economy, geopolitical importance, and expanding prominence in Asian pop culture, Korean is becoming an increasingly prominent language in the global arena.

• Dialects: Most Korean-speaking people use one of five major dialects, but the standard language is based on the speech of Seoul in South Korea.
• The Alphabet: Han’ gul, the Korean alphabet, consists of 14 consonants and 10 basic vowels. It dates back to the 15th century and is ingeniously designed for fast and efficient learning.

Thus, the Korean wave is real and expected to stay for long. So why not give free online Korean lessons a go? 

Here are seven great reasons to learn Korean:

#1. Korea is huge in global affairs.

The global popularity of languages is often determined by their origin country’s success on the international stage. That’s why Japanese and German are so prevalent – the same is true for Korean.

Today, the investments, import-export, and international ties of Korea stretch up to huge countries. About six million Korean speakers are now living in Japan, China, and the USA. And these three countries are among the top business partners of Korea.

So, if you want to up your game in any of these territories, learning the Korean language will definitely come in handy.

#2. You can learn Korean skills in just 30 minutes.

Korean may seem like an intimidating language to learn due to the fact that it has its own alphabet. But Hangul is actually easy to learn and understand.

Korean is also a language with a logical and systematic structure. This means you can start with phrases, words, or sentences more quickly than in other languages.

Moreover, the Korean alphabet is built on the sounds of their language, so pronunciation should be very logical. You can easily understand everything that’s written in Hangul thanks to its phonetic letters.

With an easy-to-learn and remember characters, you can master all essentials on your way to speaking better Korean. Mastering the Korean language skills may only require 30 minutes of your time.

#3. Korea has a unique culture.

Korean culture is so unique and different from any other country in the world. Beyond popular modern-day trends, there are ancient traditions that have been passed down for centuries.

The Korean culture places a high value on respect. Concepts such as honor, pride, and face have long been associated with this society. 

Yet, how it affects modern-day Korea can only be discovered by speaking the language. Those doors will remain locked until you develop your Korean language abilities.

#4. You’ll learn Chinese and Japanese easier.

Korean, Japanese, and Chinese are different languages that share some commonalities because of their proximity over millennia. It’s easier for someone who speaks one of these three East Asian languages to learn another than it would be if they were trying to figure out an entirely new set from far regions.

There are a lot of similarities between Korean and Japanese, which makes it easier to learn. Both share sentence structure rules, plenty of vocabulary, grammar, use of markers, and honorific.

As for sounds, Korean is quite similar to Chinese.

Experts of these languages say there is about a 20% correlation between Korean, Japanese, and Chinese. Though it seems not much, it’s good enough as opposed to nothing in common.

#5. You’ll understand Korean movies and dramas much better.

There’s a whole world of amazing Korean dramas and movies out there just waiting for you to watch them. Wanting to watch them without subtitles can be a solid reason to learn the Korean language.

Learning Korean will also make you sing along to Korean music, read Korean content online, and watch Korean cinema more enjoyable.

#6. Korean language fluency may help you with your career.

Adding the Korean language to your repertoire will give you a massive advantage when it comes to jobs that heavily involve languages, such as translation and interpretation.

Moreover, many international companies are now hiring Korean native speakers, especially those aiming to market themselves in South Korea. If you want to work here, then learning the language will greatly help.

#7. Learning Korean improves your memory and boosts your IQ.

Learning a second language or being bilingual is an incredible opportunity for intellectual growth. 

Research shows that it can improve your cognitive skills, memory, and multitasking abilities.

If you want to keep your brain active and healthy, learning Korean is a great idea. This will not just give you access to millions of people who speak Korean but also allows mental stimulation, which can prevent diseases later on in life.

#8. The Korean Alphabet Is Easy

You may believe that learning Korean is difficult due to its unique writing system. However, mastering the Korean script, Hangul, is a breeze. The Korean language is thought to have the most logical writing system in the world.

Hangul did not develop gradually. Instead, it was purposely designed to exactly fit the language’s speech. The current system was designed by King Sejong, who ruled during the Joseon dynasty. People used to swap Chinese characters for Korean before it was established.

Hangul has 24 letters, two fewer than English, and is spelled phonetically. Languages with phonetically spelled words are significantly easier to learn. For example,, pronounced “ni-eun,” mimics the English letter N and appears just as your tongue would when making the sound. One of the reasons you should learn Korean is because the alphabet is simple.

#9. Korean Culture Is Exceptional

Customs and traditions abound in Korean culture. Beyond the present popular culture that is sweeping the globe, there is a massive Korean past waiting to be discovered. The peninsula has its own art, holidays, and superstitions.

Respect is important to the Korean cultural worldview. Honor, face, and pride are all concepts that have long been connected with society. However, the impact of this heritage on modern-day Korea is an intriguing study.

#10. Konglish Makes Speaking Easier

Korean has also incorporated certain English words and phrases into the language. People call this hybrid between English and Korean, “Konglish”. And mastering it can help you learn to speak Korean faster.

For example, when a Korean says 디카 (“dika”), that’s actually the shortened English word for “digital camera.” Another example is 셀카 (“selka”) which means selfie. Remember, Koreans truly make an effort to adapt to the culture of other languages. Returning the same curtesy is a great reason why it’s worth to learn Korean.

Is Korean Worth Learning?

No matter your reasons for wanting to learn Korean, there’s no denying that it can be a valuable skill. 

And with South Korea being one of the world’s leading economies, learning Korean can open up a whole new world of professional and personal opportunities.

Of course, learning any language can be challenging. But with dedication and practice, anyone can learn Korean. And once you start to make progress, you’ll be surprised at how rewarding it can be.

Not only will Korean language learners be able to communicate with a whole new group of people, but they will also gain a better understanding of Korean pop culture and history. 

So why not give it a try? You might just find that learning Korean is worth your while, after all.

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