“Hello. This is Kal Hong from Korea.net. 
First of all, congratulations on winning the trip to Korea as an Honorary Reporter!”

With these words began the email from Kal Hong, the manager of the Honorary Reporters program. When I read it, I was speechless at first, unable to believe that I had truly been invited.

Just a few days earlier, the top 10 of the 1,386 Honorary Reporters from 93 countries had been announced. The selection was based on the number and quality of articles, their relevance, editorial style, the number of views, and publications on the Korea.net main page. I was not only the most active Honorary Reporter in Germany but also the leading contributor across Europe.

With this message, the top five Honorary Reporters were invited to a celebratory award ceremony and a nine-day Fam Tour across Korea, organized by Korea.net and the MCST (Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism).

What I experienced during this journey was far more than just receiving an award. It was a time full of unforgettable moments, new friendships, and profound insights into Korean culture. With curiosity and excitement, I embarked on a journey meticulously organized by the team at Korea.net.

In this article and those to come, I want to take you along on this special trip, allowing you to immerse yourself in these experiences and feel the magic of Korea.

It Begins
After a 12-hour flight, I arrived in Seoul, exhausted but overjoyed.

At Incheon Airport, I was warmly welcomed by Dosoo, a staff member from Korea.net. To my surprise, he brought me a Korean banana milk - a thoughtful gesture, as he seemed to know it’s a little ritual of mine to treat myself to one immediately after landing. This personal touch made me feel instantly at home. Together, we drove to my hotel in Seoul.

As the official program wasn’t set to begin until the following day, I used the free afternoon and evening to soak in the atmosphere of Seoul and end the day with a classic Korean BBQ.

The First Meeting
The next morning, I finally met the other top Honorary Reporters for 2024: Frenky from East Timor, Ilse from Mexico, Julia from Russia, and Foteini from Greece. Additionally, I met Korea.net’s top K-Influencers and the winners of the “Talk Talk Korea 2024” competition. From this very first meeting, I felt the dynamic diversity and international spirit that connected us all - especially our shared love for Korea, which brought us together as a unique community.

After a brief introduction to the itinerary, we kicked off the day with a delicious Korean meal - the first of many unforgettable culinary highlights on this journey.

Before the rehearsal for the K-Wave Festival 2024, where we would be officially honored during the award ceremony, we visited HiKR Ground.

HiKR Ground, located at the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Seoul Center, is an interactive space blending cutting-edge technology with traditional Korean culture. Visitors can shoot their own K-Pop videos, wander through Korea’s landscapes in virtual worlds, or explore traditional craft techniques. For me, it felt like diving into a captivating blend of tradition and modern pop culture.

Later, we headed to Myeong-dong for a K-Beauty program. Here, we had our skin type analyzed, received color consultations, and picked up makeup tips - a wonderful experience that highlighted Korea’s passion for beauty and skincare.

After a hearty dinner, we made our way to the yes24 LIVE HALL in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, for the first major rehearsal for the K-Wave Festival.

Rehearsals
It was awe-inspiring to see how meticulously everything was planned for this large-scale, live-broadcast event. Excitement built up, and I couldn’t wait to be part of such a special moment.

A highlight of the evening was meeting our Honorary Reporter managers, Kal Hong and Misun Jeong. Despite their busy schedules preparing for the event, they made time to welcome us personally. 

For me, it was a warm reunion, having met Kal Hong just weeks earlier during my previous visit to Korea.net. It felt like meeting old friends.

During rehearsals, you could sense the anticipation among the group. Each of us had exactly 30 seconds to move from the announcement of our name to our designated spot on stage. We practiced this several times, with Kal Hong humorously stepping in as a stand-in for the Vice Minister, who would present our awards the following evening.

The Big Day
On the day of the award ceremony, we arrived at the yes24 LIVE HALL hours before the event started. Between interviews and periods of waiting, the excitement only grew.

For me, a particularly touching moment was the visit from Lee Da Som, the Honorary Reporters Manager for German-speaking participants. She came backstage to wish me luck, a heartfelt gesture that eased my nerves and filled me with confidence for the evening ahead.

As the event began, time seemed to fly. The hall filled with guests, and we took our seats of honor in the front row.

The hosts, Park Sewon and Lim Sanghyuk, led the evening with enthusiasm, and soon the “moment of truth” arrived.

The First Vice Minister for Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Yong Ho-seong, opened the ceremony with a speech, highlighting the significance of the Honorary Reporter and K-Influencer programs for Korea and the tourism industry. He praised the Korea.net team for their outstanding efforts.

One by one, we were called to the stage, where our pre-recorded video introductions and thank-you speeches played.

On stage, each of us received our certificate from the Vice Minister. 

Standing there, the moment felt like an eternity and yet passed in the blink of an eye. After a group photo, we left the stage, and the tension gave way to pure joy as we looked forward to the rest of the evening.

A Night to Remember
The stage was soon taken over by incredible performances from K-Pop stars like WOOAH, SF9, EPEX, and the dance team BEBE. Their energetic shows created an electric atmosphere and made the night unforgettable.

After the event, we participated in interviews, exchanged congratulations, and took countless photos with friends and fellow awardees.

By the end of the evening, I felt both relaxed and exhilarated. Being part of such an impressive event was an overwhelming experience - one that will remain etched in my memory for a long time.

What’s Next?
The official part of the K-Wave Festival 2024 had concluded, but our journey was far from over. The next morning, our Fam Tour began - a thrilling exploration of Korea’s diverse wonders, with new adventures awaiting us every day.

In upcoming articles, I will share the stories of this incredible tour exclusively here on Korea.net. Look forward to highlights such as our visit to the grand Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Blue House, culinary experiences in a Korean kitchen, and our journey to the breathtaking natural landscapes of the Danyang region.

For me, this was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, and I can’t wait to take you along on this magical journey, exploring Korea’s traditions, culture, and stunning scenery. Stay tuned and immerse yourself in the beauty of Korea with me!