괜찮아 || A WORD I LEAN ON

If you could only use one Korean phrase or word, which one would it be and why? Share your biggest challenge and greatest reward in learning or encountering the Korean language.

If I could only use one Korean word, I would pick gwaenchana. (괜찮아). It means 'I'm okay' or 'It's fine'.

(source)[https://share.google/3HcN5vDMkVLFj3O9D]

Its usually heard alot in K-dramas. Gwaenchana is a word people use to comfort others or themselves. Like a word of encouragement.

Like me, for example. Whenever I'm going to school stress or maybe I'm reading and attempting a question for an exam, and it seems like it's just not right. I'd say gwaenchana, and honestly. It helps.

I chose this word because of how broad and wide it is. I love how it can just fit into so many moments. For example, if perhaps a friend is stressed of crying, you can use the word "gwaenchana" to show that you're there for them.

Because from what I've seen in K-dramas, when a character says gwaenchana, they are communicating through comfort in the simplest way possible. How is that? Amazing.

If you feel like things are not just right, you can whisper gwaenchana to calm yourself down - like me.

Now, my biggest challenge in learning the Korean language was trying to read - trying to translate it to my language (English).

When I see Korean written down, I can read them, like break the words apart, I can say which is which alphabet. But when I try to change that word into English, it becomes hard.

Reading Hangul took time for me. The shapes were simple but I just kept on mixing up some alphabets.

But they was also a reward that came alongside the challenge, that made it very much worth it.

My biggest reward in learning Korean was the moment I realized that I could understand some words and sentences without using subtitles.

I was so proud of myself when I understood a whole sentence without subtitles for the first time. Trust me, it was an accomplishment.

Another reward was finding out how beautiful the language really sounds. Korean is beautiful, it just has a soft rhythm to it.

And getting to understand these things made me feel closer to the language, like I was actually living in it.

One of the greatest reward was the moments when I used Korean in real life. I used it a lot on my elder sister whenever I didn't want her to figure out what I was saying. And it sounded so good whenever I said it, I think.

Then there's also Lee Yi Kyung, he literally made me fall in love with that phrase in his role in 'Welcome to Waikiki'. He always goes 'gwaenchana, gwaenchana'.

(source)[https://share.google/R4StfdFc6f7s4tEEX]

And that is exactly why I chose gwaenchana as my one Korean phrase. Because that's what I always tell myself that whenever I feel like quitting or when things aren't just going right.

The biggest challenge and the greatest reward, they both sit side by side. The challenge teaches you to be patient and the reward makes you smile.

Don't worry, because everything is going to be gwaenchana soon.