Becoming a first-time Korea.net Honorary Reporter 2021

 

By: Cherica Lorenze Padullo

Let me explain to you what Korea.net Honorary Reporters program is all about and how I became an Honorary Reporter for the year 2021. Before that, what is Korea.net?

Korea.net is a multilingual government portal of the Korean government that spreads information related to Korea to millions of readers around the world and it caters 9 languages: English, Japanese, Chinese, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Arabic, and Vietnamese. Korea.net is also handled by the Korean Culture and Information Service or KOCIS which is an affiliate of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Now, what is the Korea.net Honorary Reporters Program?

This program is created for like-minded individuals who have the interest, passion, and love for Korea in different aspects. For this program, KOCIS undergoes an annual recruitment looking for Korea lovers who would want to be an Honorary Reporter for Korea.net. KOCIS basically seeks thousands of foreign nationals every year who are willing to produce Korea-related content in various forms in order to help spread anything about Korea around the world.

A quick history of this program, the Korea.net Honorary Reporters program was launched last 2011 with only 42 members. Now, presently in 2021, there were 6,804 applicants all over the world. That is insane! And to think that I was one of those applicants last March 2021 feels very fulfilling.

So, from 42 members last 2011, KOCIS appointed 3,432 Honorary Reporters among 105 countries this and this probably holds the highest record so far. And yes, I am one of these 3,432 appointees. We, the Honorary Reporters, are consisting of foreign nationals who are both in and out of South Korea who promote Korean culture, information, and events around the world for a year. Yes, we are not appointed throughout the years. However, if we would like to be an HR again for the next year, we must apply again.

Now, let me share with you my initial journey of becoming an Honorary Reporter this year. So, the 2021 recruitment happened last March and the submission of the applications lasted from March 3 to March 21.

I actually forgot the exact day that I applied but on March 29, I received an email from KOCIS that I passed the first stage of the selection process. In order to pass the second phase, I needed to answer three questions that they sent and I needed to send the answers not later than April 5. So, I sent my answers on March 31 and I answered as to why I applied the program, what language I’d wish to use for the contents among the 9 languages, and which subjects or topics my contents must fall on.

Then on April 15, I finally received a confirmation that I was selected and already part of the 11^th batch of KOCIS’ Honorary Reporters. Aside from that, I also received an email from the PR officer of the Korean Cultural Center here in the Philippines a congratulatory message and I was very happy to be receiving messages from different Korean government offices.

Among these 3,432 Honorary Reporters, 202 are from the Philippines. How amazing!

On May 12, I received a copy of the certificate of appointment, still via email, and I was so happy and proud when I witnessed my name written on it. Even though it was a soft-copy, I was really excited to show it to everyone, so I also uploaded the picture on my Facebook page. It was also said that the physical copy was to be sent to the KCC here in the Philippines first and then we have to wait for a month.

On that same day, I also received the Guidelines and the Talk Talk Korea manual because we have to upload our articles first in the Talk Talk Korea website for admins. So, basically, if it gets approved by the managers in English (since I belong to the English-medium category) the article will then be published in the Talk Talk Korea webpage in the Korea.net website.

And then on May 20, we finally had the virtual Induction Ceremony. There was a real appointment ceremony for the Honorary Reporters and K-Influencers and there were also selected HRs and K-Influencers who were physically invited. While most of us, we witnessed the launching via YouTube as it was livestreamed.

Anyway, long story short, I am an Honorary Reporter for more or less 8 months now and I will be having this journey for a year. I only uploaded 5 articles yet (including this article you’re reading) and I hope you’d have time to read and support my articles in Talk Talk Korea. I have posted links for each article at the description below.

And now, let us see the physical copy of my certificate of appointment that was sent from Korea, to KCC Philippines, and to here. I am also aware that aside from the certificate, there are 2 small yet special gifts inside, too.

To know more about the Honorary Reporters Program such as its benefits, events, and other details, watch the video below. So, let’s see it now!

WATCH here:

 

READ my other articles and click HERE.

To support this article on Korea.net, visit this article on this link and kindly click the "heart" button beside my name. Thanks!