Two students from KSI at the Korean Cultural Center in Mexico made an appearance on KBS2’s ‘Hae Bolmanhan Achim M&W,’ where they introduced Mexican breakfast, culture, and economy, helping viewers gain a deeper understanding of the country. We interviewed Director Jun Woo-pyo of KSI at the Korean Cultural Center in Mexico and learned about the institution’s roles and initiatives going forward.

Nice to meet you Director Jun Woo-Pyo. Congratulations on being appointed as the new Director of KSI at the Korean Cultural Center, Mexico. Please tell us about the Institution and your goals as its Director.

Hello, nice to meet you. Mexico and Brazil are the only two Central/South American countries with multiple KSI locations. KSI at the Korean Cultural Center in Mexico opened at the same time the Center opened back in 2012. KSI classes are taught by two Korean teachers, who were sent by KSIF. The percentage of students who complete their studies is over 80%, with a majority of them taking part in the variety of cultural programs the Center offers, which shows how enthusiastic our students are about learning the Korean language and culture.

Currently, we are offering 8 classes (107 students total) over two semesters in 2022. 70% of our students are K-pop fans in their twenties, followed by 12% in their teens, 12% in their thirties, and 6% who are in their forties and above.

Mexico became the first Central/South American country to start accepting Korean immigrants in 1905. The people’s interest in K-culture has been seeing tremendous growth recently, with the population of 120 million providing a ground for potential cultural and language exchange with Korea. I hope to do my best so that our Institution can become a bridge that connects North America and Central/South America in terms of spreading Korean culture.

You are also the Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Mexico. How do your responsibilities differ in the two roles, and how do the two organizations collaborate with each other to create a synergistic effect?

Language and culture are inseparable. The Korean language is charming on its own, but a large part of its demand comes from K-culture fans, who become interested in learning the Korean language through K-pop, K-movie, or K-drama. So, I believe it’s essential for us to work towards creating a synergistic effect between Korean language education and the spread of Korean culture, so we are constantly looking for ways to make this come true. For example, the Center recently hosted a Korean Thanksgiving week. During the week, KSI students were able to learn about the Korean Thanksgiving, including its history, food, and traditions.

Thanks to the popularity of the Korean language in Mexico, a new KSI location has been designated in the city of Querétaro, which makes it the second location in Mexico. What is the profile of KSI students in terms of age and profession? Do a lot of them go on to pursue Korea-related careers after they complete the course?

This year is the 60th anniversary of Korea-Mexico diplomatic relations as well as the 10th anniversary of the Korean Cultural Center in Mexico, so I think it’s very meaningful that a second KSI location will open in Mexico this year, 10 years after the first. Querétaro is located in central Mexico, approximately 200km north of Mexico City. The city is home to about 2,000 Korean immigrants in addition to a handful of Korean companies, including Samsung and POSCO. It’s one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico, with a very high demand for the Korean language.

Two students from your KSI location made an appearance on KBS2’s ‘Hae Bolmanhan Achim M&W’ on September 8th. Please share with us the story behind this TV appearance.

The students who made the TV appearance were Daneli Asseret (completed the Intermediary 1B course in 2020, TOPIK Level-6) and Maria Barbara (Completed the Beginner 2A course in 2022), both of whom were students at KSI at the Korean Cultural Center in Mexico. Daneli, in particular, won first place in a Korean-speaking contest, on top of being selected as an outstanding KSI student in 2022, which is how she earned her place to visit Korea to participate in the training program for outstanding Korean students in October.

We were asked by the broadcasting station to recommend students who are able to talk about their country’s unique morning routines. We thought Daneli was the perfect match because she can speak Korean fluently even without a script. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect as Daneli was practicing her Korean even harder before visiting Korea as part of the training program, and she was also very excited about making a TV appearance.

I hope there are more opportunities like this. It’s occasions like this that promote interest and participation in Korean language classes.

Are there any events or classes you are planning to host, in addition to the TV appearance, as part of cultural exchange between Korea and Mexico?

It’s only been a month since I was appointed, so I’m still doing a lot of learning and gaining experience. The people of Mexico take great pride in their rich history and cultural heritage, which is what makes it such a great potential partner for cultural exchange with Korea. The current K-culture craze in Mexico has been focused on popular content, but I hope this scope widens through more active and diverse cultural collaborations, in light of the 60th anniversary of Korea-Mexico diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Korean Cultural Center in Mexico.