Love for Korea: From Taekwondo Dreams to K-Dramas

 

I’m not sure if I’ve shared this with you before, but I used to practice Taekwondo. I was just a little girl, yet I remember it as if it were yesterday. I loved it so much—I even competed in some tournaments and won medals. I think Taekwondo is the reason why I still enjoy working out and staying in shape. Back then, I dreamed of going to university to major in Taekwondo and Korean language. I was fascinated by everything connected to it.

However, my parents had a different vision for my future, and I eventually decided to stop practicing. I lost my motivation and the sense of support from my family. I remember my coach calling them, trying to convince me to come back to the gym, but I was stubborn.

When I was 15, I decided to return. God, the feeling was incredible. I always felt so sacred when bowing before entering or leaving the hall. It was my escape, my safe place. Unfortunately, life had other plans for me—plans that didn’t include Taekwondo. My knees started hurting badly; sometimes it was even difficult to walk. My coach at the time (a former teammate) told me he didn’t want me to compete because of the high risk of injury. Hearing that broke my heart, and I decided to quit again.

Nowadays, I’ve found my love for Korea once more—this time through their amazing movies and TV series. I enjoy them so much. Eating Korean food, drinking soju, and experiencing what I can from my own home brings me joy. Maybe when my little boy grows older, I’ll finally start learning Korean. I have to admit, though, that thanks to anime I also love Japanese, so I’ll keep my options open.

I’m open to any suggestions for good Korean movies or TV series!

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