By Honorary Reporter Salwa Elzeny from Egypt
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae

In an event organized by the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) in Cairo, Egypt, Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook on Jan. 20 met K-influencers and Korea.net Honorary Reporters there. Called "K-culture, colored with the Nile," the event was part of her visit to Egypt along with the president. 

Among the participants, Gehad Diaa prepared a gift for the first lady, a painting using Korean and Arabic calligraphy, saying, "I felt happy and joy but also anxious at the same time when meeting her. When I saw her in person, I felt so proud because I'd never expected to meet her."

Nariman Talaal also made a mini Hanbok for the first lady, and wore her own Hanbok to the meeting. "My talent in designing Hanbok and promoting Korean culture qualified me to join that great event. I felt happy after seeing the first lady. She is a very humble and simple person. She spoke to me very kindly and expressed her admiration for my gift and Hanbok design."

First lady Kim Jung-sook talks to specialists in promoting Korean culture from Korea.net named Honorary Reporters and K-influencers.

The following are the impressions of the other attendees of both the first lady and the event.

Esraa Elzeny 

The night when a Korea.net official told me of the event, I couldn't sleep because I was so happy. Meeting the first lady felt like a family gathering. She expressed admiration for what we made, and the beautiful gift she gave us felt like the warmth of a Korean house on a holiday night. I'll remember this experience forever.

Mohamed Salah El-Din 

I was so happy to meet the Korean first lady and represent my country at a special event after years of work to understand the situation in Korea, and write on Korea.net about the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.

Nada Taher

I felt proud when chosen and also on behalf of my sister Nesma. Before the event, I was feeling nervous over meeting the first lady, but when I saw her, the tension was gone thanks to her personality. She was very friendly and nice to us.

Alaa Atef 

It was a great honor to be invited to the meeting and speak about my passion for presenting Egyptian works to the world in front of the Korean first lady. I wanted everyone to know about the similarities and relationships between Egypt and Korea. The first lady was so humble when she explained how to play the games she gave us -- she was great.

First lady Kim Jung-sook poses for photos with participants at the meeting in Cairo. 

Ghada Mohamed 

I was invited to the event because of an interview I did with Nesma El Mously, the grand prize winner of the National Hangeul Museum's photography contest. I felt that my efforts as an Honorary Reporter since starting 2019 paid off and felt proud when I spoke about the interview. When the first lady autographed her gift of traditional Korean games to us, I was so happy.

Rehab Ahmed 

I knew from Jan. 12 that I would attend an important Korean event, but grew even more excited after learning on Jan. 18 that the first lady would attend. No matter what, the day of this meeting will always be the happiest day of my life.

Nesma El Mously 

When I met the Korean first lady, I felt proud and happy. My pride increased when she said she liked my participation in the Talk Talk Korea contest. I sincerely thank her for giving me the opportunity to meet her and her constant support for us. 

As for yours truly (Salwa Elzeny), I could not attend the 2019 induction ceremony for Honorary Reporters, and thus could not meet the first lady at the time. The following year, she complimented my articles, and this motivated me to continue writing articles for Korea.net Meeting her in Egypt was a dream come true. 

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.