By Honorary Reporter Hanum Nur Aprilia from Indonesia

Photos = Hanum Nur Aprilia

The Honorary Reporter program of Korea.net brings together people from across the globe who share an interest in Korea and a passion for storytelling. Participants include Hallyu (Korean Wave) enthusiasts, content creators, students and professionals looking to develop their writing skills.

Margareth Theresia, manager of Indonesian Honorary Reporters for Korea.net, on Sept. 19, 2024 explains the program at an event hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in Jakarta. 

After making several trips to Korea, I joined the program in 2023 to share my experiences beyond my social media. I wanted to improve my writing skills and transform scattered ideas into compelling stories that resonate with readers.

What drew me to Korea.net was its credibility and global reach. Posting on a government website felt more meaningful, and the opportunity to receive feedback from professional editors enhanced the learning experience.

As an Honorary Reporter, I've attended many Korea-related events. This workshop on Korean Contemporary Art held by KCC Indonesia in collaboration with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Korea and State University of Jakarta at the Ice Palace, Lotte Mall Jakarta on Dec. 18, 2024. 

Despite limited activity, I had two features posted in my first year, one in English and the other in Indonesian. This fueled my motivation to continue.

Last year, I had a renewed focus to contribute more consistently and explore diverse topics. Inspired by fellow Honorary Reporters' insightful pieces on Korean literature, social trends and history, I began venturing beyond travel writing.

The program encourages offline engagement through Korea-related activities, and I began attending events at the Korean Cultural Center in Jakarta. This got me valuable feedback and higher confidence to conduct interviews, something I previously found challenging.

I wrote six articles covering K-Expo Indonesia 2024, the country's largest Korean cultural event, held at the Jakarta Convention Center on Nov. 14-17, 2024.

One memorable experience was covering the K-Expo, a major event during Indonesia's K-Festival. The bustling venue taught me an important lesson: Effective storytelling isn't about covering everything but identifying and sharing the meaningful and unique.

Beyond writing skills, the program boosts confidence, communication abilities, and connections with Korea and fellow Honorary Reporters worldwide. The support system through editorial guidance, workshops and creative writing missions ensures a rewarding educational experience.

For those passionate about Korea and eager to share stories about it, the Honorary Reporter program offers an excellent starting point. Applications are open, so begin your journey in covering all things Korean.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*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.