K-culture boom triggers high demand for Korean language courses in India, worldwide

NEW DELHI: The demand for Korean language learning is exploding worldwide, and India, too, has seen the demand for Korean language continually surging over the past two years. Korean language classes at Sejong Institute and the Korean Cultural Centre in India (KCCI), which are supported by the Korean government, increased by 30% compared to 2021 and 400% compared to 2020.

In 2022, more than 9,500 students participated in the Korean language classes organised by KCCI. The K-culture boom in India caused by Korean dramas and K-Pop has drawn huge interest in the Korean language and Korean culture over the past few years, resulting in a rapid increase in demand for Korean language and culture classes and heightened interest in Korean culture.

This upward trend is expected to continue in 2023 as well. The special classes for Korean language and culture, which began registration on January 9, 2023, filled out 90 seats across three classes within five minutes, and all 367 seats in 18 regular classes at Sejong Institute, which opened on February 6, 2023, closed within one to three minutes. Countless students who wanted to register regretted on missing out the opportunity.

In order to overcome the deficiency of infrastructure, the KCCI recently signed an MOU with University of Delhi on the opening and operation of Korean language courses at Motilal Nehru College, one of the colleges at Delhi University’s South Campus. It is running a 12-week course starting from February 4, 2023. Starting with the beginner level of Korean language classes, the class will be further expanded according to the responses of students.

Dr. Ravindra, a professor of history at the University of Delhi’s Motilal Nehru College, said he became interested in Korea because of his family’s love for Korean dramas and decided to participate in Korean language classes in anticipation of a chance to give a lecture on Indian history in Korea.

Aradhara Vashistha, a student at the university, said, “Korean has become an important language in the world, along with the growing influence of Korea’s rapidly growing economy, geopolitical position, and culture. From a future-oriented perspective, I thought learning Korean language skills would be a good opportunity, so I joined the class.”

Hwang Il Yong, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre India, said, “We thank Delhi University officials for giving us the opportunity to open and operate Korean language classes at Delhi University, India’s most prestigious and largest national university, and we are honoured to be able to spread Korean language and culture at India’s top university. We would like to repay our gratitude by providing systematic and high-quality Korean language education that is befitting with the standards of Delhi University.”

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