Hello, I have so far learned almost 300 words in korean! My plan is to learn up intil 1000 top words used by frequency in korean, then try and learn sentences.

Resources

1/4/2026 Update

I have learned 546 korean words really well. I can actively recall korean words from english. I will now be practicing the language island technique. My first one will be introduction, where I learn all sentences related to introducing myself and vice-versa. Starting today I will be memorizing and learning the grammar of those sentences with the words I already know. It has only been a few months and I already know so much. I believe I can reach basic conversational fluency this year in korean if I am consistent everyday.

My strategy for learning is to create my desired language islands. A language island is a collection of sentences or phrases related to the topic of the island. For example, my next one will be ordering at a restaurant. This is much more practical because after learning an island, I can actually apply to real world. What I realized is that this is much better technique of learning languages because it forces you to learn words and sentences that are immediately applicable and practical. Why do I want to learn how to say “leaf” when other words are more useful to me personally. So much more motivating. Maybe I should start a language learning channel?

Pewdiepie (aka Felix)

From being one of the world's most entertaining gamers to raising a loving family in Japan, what a journey! I used to watch him back in 2012, one of the most entertaining video gamers you will watch, and it wasn't because he was good (no offense), but because he had a good time. Unlike a lot of gamers who eventually spiraled down (esp the minecraft ones), Felix never did. Maybe that was because of his intentions and care for his audience. Never seemed like Felix ever tried to take advantage of his audience for profit or fame. Ironically made him famous and rich (a lesson to be learned there). The incorruptible man.

Pewdiepie knew how to have fun, and that resonates with us all. Many of us, including myself, do not care if he won a game in record time, but the journey it took to win. If it was the result you cared about, why watch countless episodes? Just skip to the end. Most of us, if not all, want to have fun, and here you can watch this man do it with a million people watching.

I have barely watched Pewds for two years while I was at UCLA, maybe occasionally checking in, but during this time, he has gone to Japan and really made a new life for himself. Am I jealous? Maybe a little, but this man deserves it, and I truly hope he continues to be happy. From the video, this man has everything he wants, and he wishes others the same.

I like to believe that I am slowly getting there step by step and enjoying my journey, hopefully going in the right direction. Many of us are in the same boat. We are all very curious where life will take us, but I have learned that it's just not predictable. Therefore we should just enjoy the now, the journey, the present, whatever you want to call it. Life can change so quickly and so fast. I would love for a life like Felix's, and maybe I will achieve it, or maybe something else, we will see. I would have never guessed that I would be working for Marvell, dated a Korean girlfriend, learned French, or found a best friend at UCLA that I can depend on for everything. But here we are, unpredictably in the right spot, enjoying the journey along the way.

Do not try to force something to happen. Did Pewds hate being a gamer? Awaiting to go to japan to be with this family? No, but life took him there when he was ready, and I bet he enjoyed the entire process. Playing video games, reacting to videos, being with his son, he has fun.

In life we must take advantage of opportunities. If you see an opportunity, take it!!! Do not wait for another one. God may or may not be real, but sometimes it feels like these opportunities are put there on purpose, as a test to see if you are ready. If you think you are, then take it and see what happens. Sometimes I wonder if life is meaningless and chaotic, or everything is planned and methodical. One cannot prove but wonder.

In any case, Pewdiepie is an example of a man that has everything: a loving wife, son, great career, great friends and much more. I truly respect Felix's chill attitude. We can all learn a lot from this man. I learned to be grateful and enjoy the journey. Watch the video and you will know what I mean!

Felix if you ever read this post, thanks :)

Update: working hard...

Korea

September 26th - October 5th

Budget | Plan

Useful Links

Seoul

[Food]

D1

꼬마김밥

막국수

D2

전 (김치전, 감자전, 육전, 동그랑땡, 새우전, 깻잎말이전), 고추튀김

훈제란, 식혜

전통과자

돼지고기 (삼겹살, 목살, 꼬들살)

D3

찜닭

D4

김밥(땡초, 치즈, 매운어묵)

떡볶이, 순대

D6

돼지고기김치구이

파인애플소주

D7

호떡, 찹쌀꽈배기

말차빙수

칼국수

D8

비빔밥, 두부김치

대패삼겹살쌈밥정식

[Place]

D1

카페

망원시장 (꼬마김밥 먹기)

홍대 (인생네컷 사진 찍기)

경의선 숲길 (산책, 카페)

공덕~ 여의도 (머리 자르기, 걷기)

광화문 (행사 구경, 경복궁 밖에서 구경)

청계천 (발 담그기, 걷기)

D2

카페

망원시장 (고추튀김, 전 먹기)

찜질방 (영등포)

다이소 (고속터미널)

롯데타워 전망대 서울스카이 (잠실)

석촌호수 산책

D3

연세대학교 (신촌)

북악스카이 팔각정 (밤 드라이브)

D4

북한산 백운대 등산

찜질방

D5

명동 (커피숍, BHAF 아몬드, 명동성당)

남산타워 (엔그릴 음식점)

이태원 (후카바, 클럽)

D6

신촌 (저녁)

경의선숲길 (신촌에서 공덕까지 걷기)

D7

카페

경복궁 (한복입고 구경)

서촌, 북촌 (북촌 전망대에서 커피)

경의선숲길 (공덕에서 캔맥주)

D8

파주 임진각 DMZ 평화관광 (제3땅굴, 도라전망대)

카페 (파주 대형카페)

망원 한강공원 (피클볼)

Japan

October 5th - October 12th

Tokyo

Plan to stay around 2 nights.

1. I have to check out the large tech store with 5 to 6 floors.
2. Try the food.
3. Walk around.

Hakone

Plan to stay around 2 nights.

1. See the nature.
2. Visit a spring.

Kyoto

Plan to stay around 2 nights.

1. Experience the culture.