The King Sejong Institute Foundation of Korea organizes annual Korean speaking and writing contests to mark Hangeul Day on October 9. Students from its branches around the world participate and compete for the grand prize, which is a full scholarship to study in Korea.

This year, the final contest took place at the Convention Center of Seoul National University’s Siheung Campus on October 15, 2025, with 10 finalists in the speaking category and 12 finalists in the writing category. 

Kasturi Pande, 23, from Maharashtra, India, was awarded the grand prize in the speaking category. “It was an incredible experience to meet and compete with participants from so many different cultures who all shared the same love for the Korean language,” she said in an email interview from October 26 to 31.

Pande, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and has obtained TOPIK Level 4, has been studying Korean for over three years at the King Sejong Institute in Patna. Her interest in Korea began during the COVID-19 lockdown, when she first came across Korean vlogs and later, K-pop and K-dramas. “Even though I couldn’t understand the language back then, its sound felt beautiful, soft and yet powerful, and it deeply fascinated me. What started as simple admiration slowly turned into genuine curiosity about the language, culture, and people, and that’s how my journey with Korea began,” she said. 

Pande has always been fascinated by East Asian cultures and had a deep interest in learning languages, but Korean felt different. As she began learning the language, she realised that it became a bridge to a new culture and a way to discover new sides of herself. This feeling of connection—each new word and phrase that brought her closer not only to Korea but also to India, as she discovered striking similarities between Korean and her mother tongue—is her biggest motivation to continue learning the language. 

“What moved me the most about Korean culture is its warmth. The way people genuinely care for each other. Even simple words like ‘고생 많았어요’ (you worked hard) or ‘수고했어요’ (good job) carry so much emotion. They’re not just about effort but also about recognizing someone’s heart and sincerity. I experienced that warmth many times during my trip to both Patna for the national round and later Korea for the finals, from my teachers, staff members, and friends who always made sure I was doing well. It made me realize that the beauty of Korean culture lies not just in its language or traditions but in the kindness and empathy of its people,” she explained.

Pande’s love for the Korean language, along with her desire to challenge herself and see how much she had grown in her learning journey, motivated her to participate in this year’s King Sejong Institute Korean Speaking and Writing Contest. At the national round held in Patna on May 26, she opted for the topic ‘My Favorite Korean Expression and Its Reason’, speaking about the expression ‘개천에서 용 난다’ (a dragon rises from a small stream). 

Describing her selection of topic, Pande explained, “It reflects my life story—growing up in a small town with limited opportunities, yet continuing to work hard toward my dreams. My teacher at KSI in Patna, Kyungna Ma’am, supported and guided me throughout this journey, and I could never have done it without her. I prepared my speech from the heart, focusing on expressing emotions naturally rather than just sounding perfect.”

Pande’s heartfelt speech led her to be the winner, and she was awarded a week-long cultural exchange trip to Korea from October 14 to 20, where she explored cultural sites like the National Museum of Korea, Korean Folk Village, and Gyeongbokgung Palace, and tried activities such as taekwondo, knot-making, cooking Korean cuisine, and exploring Everland, Myeongdong, and Gwangjang Market.

Describing the experience as “one of the most unforgettable weeks” of her life, Pande recalled the Han River as her favorite place. “I had always dreamt of visiting it ever since I started watching K-dramas, and standing there in person felt surreal. Even though I couldn’t join the river cruise that evening because I wasn’t well, just sitting by the river with the cool breeze, warm peppermint tea, and calm music in the background felt like a beautiful scene from a K-drama itself—peaceful, healing, and unforgettable,” she said.

During the cultural trip, on October 15, Pande also clinched the grand prize at the final round of the global contest, where the topic was ‘바라보다, 다가가다’ (To Look and To Approach). The title of her speech was ‘바라보던 꿈이 나를 부른다’ (The Dream I Looked at from Afar Called Me), where she talked about how her journey learning the Korean language began with curiosity and admiration from afar, by watching Korean dramas, listening to songs, and appreciating the culture, and how, step-by-step, it became a dream that brought her closer to the country. She further shared how learning Korean helped her discover not only a new language and culture but also a new version of herself—it was a story of how something that once seemed distant slowly became her reality.

Pande’s achievement was the result of dedicated effort and extensive preparation. “I practiced my speech every single day, not only focusing on pronunciation but also on expressing my emotions naturally. My teacher, Kyungna Ma’am, helped me tremendously throughout the process by guiding me on tone, pauses, and delivery. During that time, I also fell ill and had barely slept for an hour. Honestly, my only goal that day was not to forget my script and simply do my best on stage. I didn’t expect to win at all. So, when my name was announced, I was in shock and tears. It wasn’t just about winning; it was about realizing that when you put your heart into something, life finds a way to reward you,” she said.

Pande’s victory means much more to her than just a prize—it marks a turning point in how she views her learning journey and future aspirations. “Earlier, I focused mainly on improving my skills and grades, but now I see learning Korean as a lifelong journey that continues to shape who I am. It has given me confidence and reminded me that even small steps can lead to something big,” she explained.

Pande also feels inspired to continue studying the Korean language. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Korean language, linguistics, and culture, followed by a PhD, researching the similarities between Korean and Indian languages and exploring how languages can connect cultures and people across the world. However, her ultimate goal remains to work as a Korean interpreter or translator and become a bridge between India and Korea. 

Pande is one of the Indians to have won accolades for India on the global stage, following Sourabhi Maiti (2018), Anubhuti Kakati (2021), Srija Paul (2023), and Amandeep Singh Oberoi (2024). She feels truly overwhelmed and proud to continue this legacy. It also reminded her of the collective dedication of Indian learners and teachers who have contributed to this success. She felt honoured to have played a small part in that journey and to represent her country through a language she deeply cherishes. Pande hopes that this achievement will encourage more Korean learners in India to dream big and believe in their potential to reach similar heights.

To those who wish to learn the language and participate in global contests, Pande said, “Don’t be afraid to start, even if it feels difficult at first. Learning Korean isn’t just about memorizing words or grammar; it’s about feeling the beauty of the language and the culture behind it. There will be times when you feel stuck or unsure, but every small effort counts. Keep going, even if it’s one step at a time. And if you plan to participate in contests, focus on expressing your true story rather than making it perfect. Speak from your heart; that’s what truly connects with people. Believe in yourself, stay consistent, and you’ll be surprised at how far your efforts can take you.”

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.