She believes culture is at its best when it brings people together, sparks curiosity, and makes us see the world a little differently.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?

I arrived in Budapest at the end of February 2024 to take up my position as Director of the Korean Cultural Center. There are around 40 Korean Cultural Centers around the world, and interestingly, I had never even visited Hungary before coming here. But I became curious about Hungary after hearing good things about the country from people around me. So I decided to apply for the position, and after a competitive selection process, I ended up coming here. I never expected Hungary to become such an important part of my life, but I’m very glad I did.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?

Before coming to Hungary, I spent a year in Syracuse, New York, as a graduate student in 2015. But this is my first experience of living abroad because of work.

When I was a child, I also lived in Nigeria and India for a while because of my father’s work. So perhaps I was already somewhat familiar with the idea of living in a different country from an early age.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?

What surprised me most was how many similarities I found between Hungarian and Asian culture. The importance of family, similar cuisine, and the value placed on warmth and personal relationships all felt surprisingly familiar to me.

Because of these similarities, Hungary felt much less foreign to me than I had expected. In some ways, it became comfortable quite quickly.

4. Friends are in Budapest for the weekend – what must they absolutely see and do?

I would recommend visiting Margaret Island or Városliget and simply enjoying Budapest’s beautiful green spaces and the changing seasons.

One of the things I love about Budapest is that nature is never far away, even though it is a capital city. I would also strongly recommend going up to the Citadella, which reopened this year, and watching the sunset over the city. The view of Budapest from there is really beautiful.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?

Töltött káposzta. I had it when I first came to Hungary, and the taste immediately reminded me of Korean kimchi-jjim. It gave me a little taste of home and helped ease my homesickness.

I also really love halászlé, especially the one at Kiskőrössy Halászcsárda in Szeged. I think it is probably the best halászlé I have ever had.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?

Pickles! These days, I’ve actually started making my own pickles at home. I have them with almost every main meal. They go surprisingly well with many different kinds of food.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?

Egészségedre!

Whenever I clink glasses with someone and say it while looking them in the eye, it somehow makes me feel warm inside. There is something very nice about the little ritual of sharing a toast with someone.

8. What do you miss most from home?

I miss Korea’s relatively inexpensive and incredibly diverse seafood. Oysters, scallops, crabs and all kinds of seasonal seafood are widely available, and you can enjoy quite generous portions at relatively reasonable prices.

Living in Europe has made me appreciate just how lucky I was to have access to such good seafood back home.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

I enjoy meeting different kinds of people and introducing or promoting things that I believe are interesting. In that sense, I suppose being the director of a Korean Cultural Center suits my personality quite well.

If I were to choose another career, I think I would enjoy sales or marketing, or perhaps working in the tourism industry. I like meeting people, communicating with them and introducing them to something new.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?

I would never want a job where every day is exactly the same. I would find it difficult to spend my days sitting at a desk without meeting new people or having new experiences.

I need some variety and interaction in my work. Otherwise, I would probably get bored very quickly.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?

I went on a road trip through Transylvania in Romania. It was fascinating to see the Hungarian cultural influence that is still present in the region, as well as the beautiful natural scenery.

Bran Castle, and the small, beautiful cities were memorable stops, but what really stayed with me was driving along the Transfăgărășan, with its mountain roads and spectacular scenery at more than 2,000 metres above sea level. The drive itself was one of the highlights of the trip.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?

I haven’t had enough time by the sea this year, so I would love to take an island holiday. I’m thinking about somewhere I haven’t been before – perhaps the Greek islands, the Faroe Islands, Madeira or the Azores.

I especially like places where the scenery is beautiful and there aren’t too many tourists. A quiet place with the sea, nature and good views would be perfect.

13. Apart from temptation, what can't you resist?

It’s hard for me to say no to a drink with people I really enjoy spending time with.

A meal that starts with just one beer can easily turn into several hours of talking and laughing. When I’m with good company, time passes very quickly. The only problem is that I can also get tipsy much faster than I expect!

14. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?

Michael Jackson, Cinema Paradiso, and reading comic books.

I was a big fan of Michael Jackson, and Cinema Paradiso remains one of those films that has stayed with me over the years. And like many people my age, I spent quite a lot of my teenage years reading comics.

15. Red or white?

Red. Definitely red.

16. Books or films?

Films. I love the way a good film can tell a story through images, music and atmosphere, and completely immerse you in another world.

17. Morning person or night person?

Night person. I definitely become more energetic as the day goes on. I’m not naturally a morning person!

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is something I care deeply about.

I’m also very interested in the declining rates of dating, marriage and birth around the world. I think it raises important questions about how people define happiness and family today, and about what kind of social environment we need to create so that people can feel comfortable choosing to build families if they want to.

19. Buda or Pest?

Buda. I love the quieter atmosphere, the hills and the greenery. And, of course, the views of the city are hard to beat.

20. What would you say is your personal motto? 

Happiness is the most important measure of my life.

In the end, wherever I live, whatever work I do, and whoever I share my life with, I think the most important thing is whether I am happy. That is probably the simplest way I can describe what I value most in life.