By Honorary Reporter Malak Mohamed from Egypt

Lee Youseop, based in Seoul, created a simple video to help others learn Korean more easily. Now with millions of students and over a million followers on social media worldwide, he shows that mastering Korean isn't about grammar drills but immersion and confidence. 

Through social media and free courses, he's making the language more accessible than ever.

The following are excerpts from an email interview with him on March 14.

Lee Youseop teaches students how to write their names in Korean in his Hangeul course. (EgyKorea)

Briefly introduce yourself and your videos.

I specialize in helping learners improve their Korean pronunciation. After struggling to learn Spanish from textbooks, I was inspired to help others learn Korean more naturally. It all began on a beach in Thailand, where I recorded my first pronunciation video. I've since created daily content on social media for two years for learners worldwide.

Why use short clips for teaching Korean?

Though the short format can limit depth, it allows wider reach and immediate feedback. My goal is to help learners acquire Korean naturally and comfortably, fostering a deeper connection with Korean culture.

What is a common misconception about learning Korean?

The surge in interest in learning Korean stems from K-pop, K-dramas and other cultural content, but many underestimate the time needed for mastery. Rather than rushing, I encourage natural immersion through Korean content, even without subtitles. As linguist Stephen Krashen's natural approach suggests, meaningful exposure is the key to true learning.

Lee Youseop has created diverse YouTube content including his Korean Stories playlist for beginners. (Lee Youseop)

What motivates language learning and which approach do you recommend?

I emphasize that mistakes are part of learning and consider myself as a supportive friend rather than a judge. This approach helps students build confidence naturally. For those feeling stuck, I recommend focusing on experiencing rather than memorizing the language. Language learning is about connecting with the culture and people, not just words.

What projects are you working on and what are your plans?

While my short-form videos focus on basics, I'm expanding to long-form YouTube content using audio and illustrations without translation. I'm developing intuitive learning materials like story videos and visual vocabulary content to help learners understand Korean in context.

msjeon22@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.