Why do I always join Korean contests?

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Nadine Postigo

I've lost count of the numerous Korean contests that I've joined, ever since I discovered my penchant for all things related to Korea.

Whether it be raffles, giveaways, surveys, essays, design competitions, photo / video related or cooking contests, I’ve most probably joined it. I always get drawn in to participate in Korea-related events. 

Ever since I got exposed to the growing popularity of Korean pop music and TV shows in East Asia and elsewhere back in late 2008, my fondness-turned-passion for Korea just grew and grew. It wasn't a phase, as corny as that may sound. What was once a foreign culture became part of me. My family and friends identified me with the country and its pop media. They even teased me to speak in Korean when we ate at a Korean restaurant. I honestly don't mind trying that, even if it’s just basic. Even with my studies, if there was a project or assignment that I could somehow involve with Korea, then I’d do it. One of my favorite projects was when I created my Korean Food Guide 101 booklet.

As part of a Korean contest, I made the 'Korean Food Guide 101' booklet. (Nadine Postigo) 

Yes, the prizes are enticing, especially if they involve a free trip to Korea. However, I realized that I join these contests because I want to express myself, my passion and love for the country. You see, I only have a few friends with whom I can talk about Korea, and maybe only one or two that I can really be a fangirl with. Most of the time, I go solo during concerts and just find other fangirls online that share the same sentiments that I do. It was only recently that I started creating content on YouTube, and, yes, it was triggered by wanting to express myself related to Korea and Korean pop music. So besides writing on my social media accounts and writing for the Korea Blog at Korea.net, joining contests was a way to talk more about certain topics. If I'm not familiar with the subject, I do my research, thus expanding my knowledge. It pushes me out of my box and positively pushes me outside my comfort zone. 

I use my YouTube channel to express my passion and love for Korea. (Nadine Postigo)

For example, I had to look up the meanings of some traditional Korean patterns when I joined a previous contest that was jointly hosted by the TV station KBS World and by the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS). This was the Talk Talk Korea contest. For the post card category, we had to use the provided traditional Korean folk art patterns in our designs. I was clueless as to what the symbols meant and which symbols would go with which in harmony. So, of course, I had to look up the symbolic meanings, and I discovered a lot about Korean mythology. I didn't place in the contest, but my efforts weren't in vain as I learned a lot more about Korea through the experience. 

I designed a postcard to participate in the Talk Talk Korea competition. (Nadine Postigo)

For my postcard, I chose a theme of nature, specifically the Four Gracious or Gentlemanly Plants, also known as the Four Seasons symbols (사군자), in addition to the lotus and peony. I learned about the symbolism of the plants and flowers and it really fascinated me to learn more about Korea’s arts and traditions.

On the front of the postcard I featured chrysanthemums, lotuses and apricot blossoms. The colors blue and red represented the Taeguk yin and yang color symbols that can be seen on the flag of Korea. On the back, I had some bamboo imprinted on the left side, a peony as a stamp, and orchids along the bottom border.

I learned a lot about Korea while preparing my entry into the Talk Talk Korea competition. (Nadine Postigo) 

For this postcard design, I went with traditional animal patterns for my overall theme. I featured a tiger / lion, a dragon, a turtle and a phoenix, as I learned about these mythological Korean creatures that were the Four Guardians of the Four Compass Directions. I was amazed by these stories and their symbolism.

On the back I used five bats along the bottom to represent the five blessings, or obok (오복). For the stamp, I used a butterfly with the Samsaeg-ui or Tri-colored Taegeuk in the middle (삼색의 태극).

Once I was nominated for the "video of the year" in a contest I submitted about Korean cuisine's side dishes. That time, I also didn't win, but I was comforted by the fact that I was still nominated.

Just like any other person, I also get discouraged after experiencing failures. I keep thinking, "When is it going to be me?" and, "Why am I so unlucky?” Oh well. What’s new? I never win anything.

I really became pessimistic and down. However, despite being in a slump and feeling like giving up, I still have a small percentage of hope in me. When I see a new contest, I think to myself, "What do I have to lose?" and join again and again. As my father once told me, adversity builds character.

An opportunity that I was glad I didn't pass up was when I applied to be a Worldwide Blogger and an Honorary Reporter for Korea.net’s Korea Blog in 2014. In my head, I remember thinking that it was such a long shot, that there would probably be others with a better and more impressive application form. That’s why I was really shocked and so happy when I saw my name on the list of accepted honorary reporters. I was ecstatic, to say the least.

It was through Korea.net’s Korea Blog that I was able to step foot in my dream country. The highlight of 2016 was when I was invited by Korea.net to tour Seoul, Busan and Tongyeong last October. In my head, I kept saying, "I can’t believe I’m in Korea." The landscape that I used to just stare at through my laptop and TV was finally right in front me. Everything was just amazing, from the company to the sights, and of course I can’t forget about the food.

I would like to believe that it was because of my passion, effort, and luck that I was blessed to have my dream come true. Of course, it wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing people at Korea.net. I’m seriously grateful to them. It was also through that trip that I met some amazing people that had the same enthusiasm as I have, and maybe even more. Despite coming from different backgrounds with different native languages, we all connected instantly because of our common fervor for Korea.

I was able to connect with other Korea.net honorary reporters on a trip to Korea where we all shared our passion for Korea.  (Jeon Han)

The trip definitely gave me the additional motivation that I needed to step out of my shell and to continue my path in pursuing what I loved to do. Would you believe it? I started winning contests after that trip. It was as if my luck had changed and finally my efforts were paying off. Although I still don’t win all of the contests and giveaways that I join, it was still a huge difference compared to before.

It is actually because of that Korea trip that I was inspired to write a hopefully inspiring piece to people like me, to people who feel like luck is never on their side despite their efforts. The main takeaway for this article is that people should keep pursuing what they love. If it doesn't get in the way of your studies or work, and if it’s your passion and if it makes you happy, then by all means, do it! Don’t stop taking chances. Persistence is the key. You’ll never know when it's your time to shine. To be more specific, never stop joining Korean contests, regardless of the prize.

With that, I send to my fellow honorary reporters and Koreaphiles some cyber hwaiting spirit (화이팅). 

wisdom117@korea.kr

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