2025 KSI Korean Speaking Contest
Grand Prize Winner Meeting with Kasturi Pande
from KSI Patna, India

On October 15, the 2025 KSI Korean Speaking Contest finals were held at the Convention Center of Seoul National University’s Siheung Campus, with ten outstanding learners showcasing the Korean speaking skills they had honed over time. The grand prize was awarded to Kasturi Pande from KSI Patna, India. Here is the story of Kasturi Pande, who is pursuing her dream of becoming a Korean interpreter and translator.

Hello, Kasturi Pande! Congratulations on winning the grand prize at the 2025 KSI Korean Speaking Contest. Please introduce yourself and share your thoughts on receiving this award.
 

Hello. My name is Kasturi Pande, and I live in Pune, Maharashtra, India. I’m currently studying in the Level 8 course at KSI Patna, India. I have been learning Korean for over three years now! I majored in English literature at university and am currently preparing to become a Korean interpreter and translator.

Winning the grand prize at the 2025 KSI Korean Speaking Contest still feels like a dream. I’m filled with gratitude and joy. I believe this achievement is not mine alone. I owe it to the support and encouragement of my teachers at KSI Patna, as well as my family and friends. I will never forget this precious experience, and in the future, I’ll study even harder and continue to grow.
 
 

What Was the Theme of Your Presentation, “The Dream I Was Looking at Calls Out to Me”?
 

My presentation, “The Dream I Was Looking at Calls Out to Me,” tells the story of how I’ve gradually moved closer to my dream by learning Korean. While I first began studying Korean out of simple curiosity and interest in the language and culture, I had already been fascinated by East Asian cultures for quite some time. As I learned Korean and gained a deeper understanding of Korean culture, my goals and direction in life became clearer. Originally, my dream was just to improve my Korean skills and visit Korea someday. But now that I’ve actually been invited to Korea as one of the top KSI learners, I feel very pleased and grateful. It’s like my long-standing dream has finally come true.
 
 

What Did You Do to Prepare for the Contest? What Was the Most Difficult Part or the Thing You Focused on Most?
 

While preparing for the speaking contest, I tried to convey my message naturally and sincerely, not just memorize the script. Every day, I practiced adjusting my pronunciation, intonation, and speed, and I also paid attention to the expressions, gestures, and hand movements I made while speaking.

The most challenging part was staying focused. Sometimes during practice, I would get distracted or so nervous that I couldn’t remember my lines. So I kept telling myself, “Only focus on your presentation when you’re on stage.”

When I finally stood on stage at the finals, I tried hard to stay calm under the gazes of the judges and audience. Honestly, I was so nervous that my legs were trembling, but I kept reminding myself to “speak with sincerity,” and that determination helped me stay focused until the end. Sincerity and concentration are what gave me the greatest strength.
 
 

What Inspired You to Start Learning Korean? Among the Various Korean-Learning Options, Why Did You Choose KSI Patna?
 

For me, Korean was like an old friend that appeared unexpectedly. I had been very interested in East Asian culture for a long time, and I was especially captivated by the soft, unique, and beautiful sound of the Korean language. Then one day, I happened to watch a Korean vlog at home, and it made me want to learn the language properly. At that time, I was also thinking about my future career, and while researching ways to study Korean, I discovered KSI Patna and decided to enroll.

I chose KSI Patna because the instruction style perfectly matched what I was looking for. The grammar explanations were easy to understand, and I especially enjoyed how the classes included not only the textbook material but also various stories about Korean culture. Most of all, I loved that there were many opportunities to have enjoyable conversations with the teachers during class.

Consistently speaking and practicing Korean with my teachers and classmates was a great help in improving my speaking skills. My teachers often encouraged me, saying, “It’s okay to make mistakes. What matters is trying.” This made me much more confident in speaking Korean.
 
 

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

I’ve always dreamed of experiencing university life in Korea, but I thought it would be difficult to make it a reality. So, being awarded the grand prize in the KSI Speaking Contest and earning the chance to study in Korea feels really unbelievable. If I return to Korea next year for language training, I believe it will be not just a time to learn Korean but also another turning point in my life. During the program, I want to not only improve my Korean skills but also immerse myself more deeply in Korean culture. I hope to learn more natural expressions by speaking directly with Koreans in everyday situations and to develop the habit of thinking and speaking in Korean. I also look forward to experiencing the atmosphere and academic enthusiasm of Korean university classes firsthand, as I believe it will be valuable in shaping my future career.
 
 

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

I sincerely support all KSI learners around the world who are preparing for the Korean Speaking Contest. I, too, was nervous and afraid at first, but I went on stage reminding myself that it’s okay not to be perfect. In the end, I realized that what truly matters is not the result, but the effort and heart you put in to reach that stage. I believe that every small step you take can lead to tremendous growth. Trust yourself and never give up. The story you share in Korean, spoken with sincerity, will surely touch many hearts.