2025 KSI Korean Writing Contest
Grand Prize Winner Meeting with Duong Huynh Bao Tran
from KSI Bien Hoa, Vietnam

On October 15, the finals of the 2025 KSI Korean Writing Contest were held at the Convention Center of Seoul National University’s Siheung Campus, with twelve outstanding learners showcasing the Korean writing skills they had developed through hard work and dedication. The grand prize was awarded to Duong Huynh Bao Tran from KSI Bien Hoa, Vietnam. Here is the story of Duong Huynh Bao Tran, who says that learning Korean became a turning point in her life.

Hello, Duong Huynh Bao Tran! Congratulations on winning the grand prize at the 2025 KSI Korean Writing Contest. Please introduce yourself and share your thoughts on receiving this award.
 

Hello. My name is Duong Huynh Bao Tran, and I’m a fourth-year student at Lac Hong University in Vietnam. I’m currently learning Korean at KSI Bien Hoa, Vietnam. To be honest, writing has always been the most difficult part of learning Korean for me, so I never imagined I would win the grand prize in this contest. When my name was announced as the winner, I was so surprised and moved that I couldn’t speak for a while. For me, this award isn’t just a prize, it is a meaningful recognition of all the effort and passion I’ve put in up to this point.
 
 

In this year’s KSI Korean Writing Contest, you wrote a moving piece titled, “My Path, My Dream as Seen Through Korean.” What message did you want to convey with your writing?
 

I never imagined that learning Korean would change my life this much. In my essay, I reflected on my past self, someone who had missed many opportunities due to fear and hesitation. But as I began studying Korean, I slowly found the courage to start again, and from that moment, my life began to take a new direction. The world grew wider, and my everyday life became warmer and more beautiful.

For me, Korean was both the key that opened the door to the world and the source of courage that allowed me to step through it. At first, I just wanted to learn a foreign language, but over time, I began to feel the culture and the spirit of Korean. Through that process, I didn’t just learn a language, I discovered a new version of myself. Without Korean, my world would still be small. So through my writing, I wanted to express that Korean is not just a language to me, but a destiny and a miracle that changed the course of my life.
 
 

It must have taken a great deal of effort to win the grand prize. What did you focus on most while preparing for the contest? Also, could you share any personal study methods or routines that helped you improve your Korean writing skills?
 

Writing has always been the most difficult part of learning Korean for me. Expressing my emotions and thoughts in another language was never easy. So, I made a habit of writing in Korean every day, even if it was just a few sentences. Looking back on my day and writing a short passage gradually became part of my daily life. In time, writing became a way for me to listen to my own heart through another language.

While preparing for the contest, I focused more on expressing my story naturally and sincerely than on crafting fancy sentences. I read my essay many times, refining each expression and constantly asking myself, “How would this feel if it were written from a Korean person’s heart?” At the time, my teacher, Ms. Lim Da-jeong of KSI Bien Hoa, gave me tremendous guidance. She taught me that more important than grammar is the sincerity behind the words, and that good writing doesn’t come from perfect sentences, but from a heart that touches others. Thanks to her, I was able to stay calm on the final stage and write my story with composure. I believe my essay resonated with the judges precisely because of my heartfelt sincerity.
 
 

What first inspired you to start learning Korean? Among the various language institutions available, was there a special reason you chose KSI Bien Hoa? If there were any classes or programs that you found particularly helpful in improving your Korean writing skills, please tell us about them.
 

In fact, my reason for learning Korean was a bit different from other people’s. At first, I started studying Korean as a foreign language for a very practical reason — to earn money. One day, I happened to see the KSI Bien Hoa building near my university and I visited out of curiosity. The teachers and senior learners I met there were so warm and kind. They encouraged and inspired me, and that’s when I began studying Korean in earnest.

I was especially fortunate to take classes with Ms. Lim Da-jeong. She didn’t just teach grammar and vocabulary, she taught us how to feel the Korean language with our hearts. Her words, “Language is not merely a tool for communication, but a bridge that connects people’s hearts,” completely changed my life. Participating in various programs in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of KSI Bien Hoa also changed how I viewed Korean. I no longer saw it as just a means to make money. Now, Korean has become an irreplaceable part of my life, the language that opened a new path for me and helped me discover my true self.
 
 

Participating in volunteer and
learning activities at KSI Bien Hoa Commemorative photo taken after a cultural
exchange event with visiting Korean students
at KSI Bien Hoa

I heard that as a grand prize winner, you’ll have the opportunity to study Korean in Korea next year. Is there a particular goal you hope to achieve or an experience you would like to have while studying there?
 

If I get the chance to study in Korea, my biggest goal will be to talk directly with Korean people as much as possible so that I can speak Korean more naturally and fluently. Learning a language from books is important, but I want to understand the emotions and culture behind the expressions by conversing with native speakers.

I also want to experience everyday life in Korea as much as I can. I’d like to visit some traditional markets, buy things, share meals and conversations with Korean friends, and truly feel the warmth of daily life in Korea. After returning to Vietnam, I hope to share what I’ve learned and experienced in Korea with other learners. For me, Korean is not just a language, it’s a bridge that connects people. I want to use that bridge to inspire and give hope to other learners who are interested in Korea.

I also hope to experience Korea’s beautiful nature and traditional culture firsthand during my stay. This will help me gain a deeper understanding of the Korean language and also a broader perspective on the people and culture.
 
 

Lastly, as this year’s grand prize winner, could you share some words of advice or encouragement for KSI learners around the world who are preparing for the next contest?
 

I believe that language has the power to change people. When I had lost my way, Korean gave me the courage to start again and helped me discover a new version of myself. Because of that, I became stronger and learned the value of perseverance. Learning Korean is never easy. There will be times when you feel tired or slower than others. But as long as you don’t stop, you’re already moving forward. It’s okay to go slowly. What matters is that you keep going. Don’t forget that.

To me, Korean is not just a foreign language, it’s a mirror that reflects my growth. Every sentence I’ve written and every word I’ve mispronounced is proof that I’m learning and one more step toward my dream. To all KSI learners around the world, I want to say this: “Don’t just learn Korean with your mind; learn it with your heart.” When it moves your heart, Korean will naturally become part of you and lead you to places you never imagined. All you need is the courage to begin!