In Ecuador, the popularity of K-pop has continued to grow in recent years. More learners are now studying Korean not simply to listen to music, but to understand song lyrics, watch variety shows, and experience Korean culture more deeply.

We met four learners studying Korean at KSI Quito, Ecuador, and asked them how K-pop is shaping Korean language learning and local fandom culture.

First, we spoke with Andrea Pinenla, a learner in the Sejong Korean 1A course at KSI Quito, Ecuador. Andrea majored in dance at the Universidad Central del Ecuador and now works as a dancer, K-pop instructor, and Hallyu culture researcher.

Andrea became interested in K-pop through BTS. She explained that BTS’s early music was centered on hip-hop and rap, which connected naturally with her own background in street dance. She also became deeply interested not only in the messages of love, growth, and self-discovery found in BTS albums, but also in the group’s worldview based on psychologist Carl Jung’s theory of archetypes. This led her to explore Korean culture and Hallyu more broadly.

Her interest in K-pop naturally led to Korean language learning. At first, Andrea learned Korean words and expressions through K-pop lyrics, K-dramas, and variety shows. She is now studying Korean more systematically through the Sejong Korean 1A course at KSI Quito, Ecuador. As a K-pop instructor, she also continues to study Korean. When teaching choreography, she interprets the lyrics and studies Korean expressions and their cultural context in order to accurately convey the meaning and emotions of the song to her students.

The first Korean expressions Andrea learned through K-pop included “annyeonghaseyo,” “gamsahamnida,” “fighting,” “daebak,” and “aigo.” She said she naturally picked up these expressions by frequently encountering them not only in songs, but also in a wide range of Korean content, including variety shows.

Andrea’s interest in K-pop has expanded beyond fan activities into academic research. In her graduation thesis for the Department of Dance at the Universidad Central del Ecuador, titled “La influencia del dance cover de K-pop en la experiencia encarnada y las cualidades del movimiento en bailarines vinculados a la cultura Hallyu en Quito, 2025,” she studied how K-pop dance cover culture in Quito affects dancers’ embodied experiences and movement qualities. Based on interviews and movement analysis, the study explores in depth the influence of K-pop dance covers on local dancers’ physical expression and the formation of cultural identity.

“To teach K-pop, I believe it is very important to understand not only the choreography, but also the meaning of the lyrics and Korean expressions. Every time I prepare for class, I analyze the lyrics and study the cultural background together, and the process helps me continue learning Korean myself. For me, K-pop is not only my greatest motivation for dance and research, but also for learning Korean.”

Next, we interviewed Jenifer Pachacama, a learner in Sejong Korean 3A at KSI Quito, Ecuador, and a member of the first cohort of Sejong Supporters.

Jenifer first fell in love with K-pop after listening to BTS’s “Jump.” She later became a fan of BTS and SEVENTEEN, and she studies Korean by repeatedly watching variety shows and live broadcasts featuring idols. In particular, she first watches videos with subtitles and then watches them again without subtitles, naturally picking up Korean expressions. She also introduced “ppalli ppalli,” “daebak,” “jinjja,” and “gomawo” as common Korean expressions that K-pop fans often use in everyday life.

“The most memorable experience for me was attending a BTS concert screening at a movie theater and exchanging freebies and photocards with other fans. Using Korean expressions together with people who shared the same interests made me feel much closer to Korean culture.”

The third learner we met was Gabriela Burgos, a learner in Sejong Korean 2B at KSI Quito, Ecuador, and a member of the first cohort of Sejong Supporters.

Gabriela began learning Korean because of Stray Kids. She learns expressions by reading song lyrics and watching dramas with Korean subtitles, while also participating regularly in various fandom activities, including fan club events, birthday cafes, and movie theater concert screenings.

In particular, Gabriela described decorating Guagua de Pan, a traditional Ecuadorian bread, with images of Stray Kids, sharing it with fans, and exchanging photocards as a distinctive form of fandom culture in Ecuador.

“Because I love K-pop, I started learning Korean. Through participating in various cultural events with other fans, I have come to feel much closer to Korean culture. For me, fandom is a precious space where I can meet new friends and new cultures.”

Finally, we met Lesly Marín, a learner in Sejong Korean 3A at KSI Quito, Ecuador.

Lesly became a K-pop fan after watching a BTS performance video on YouTube and becoming captivated by the members’ outstanding performances and perfectly synchronized choreography. Since then, she has studied Korean using YouTube content, Korean variety shows, K-dramas, and song translations, and she is now learning Korean systematically at a KSI. She also actively takes part in a wide range of cultural programs, including K-festivals, Sejong Culture Academy, Seollal cultural events, Korean food experience programs, and K-pop dance cover events.

“K-pop has been my biggest motivation for learning Korean. I want to continue participating in diverse cultural events, study Korean even harder, and understand Korean culture more deeply.”

All four learners began studying Korean because of K-pop, but each now learns the language in a different way. A wide range of experiences, including interpreting song lyrics, watching variety shows, comparing drama subtitles, taking part in fandom activities, and teaching or learning K-pop dance, became natural pathways to learning Korean.

Ecuador’s K-pop fandom goes beyond simply listening to music. Through dance covers, movie theater concert screenings, photocard and freebie exchanges, birthday cafes, and participation in cultural events, fans are forming communities where they share interests and connect with one another. For young people in Ecuador, K-pop has become not only a starting point for learning Korean, but also an important cultural bridge linking Korea and Ecuador.

Article by Hidalgo Rea Alisson Mayte, Correspondent at KSI Quito, Ecuador