English: The driving force of his life

Sun had a fairly ordinary school life until he discovered his unique talent for languages by confronting his own deficiencies. “In my first year of high school, I encountered a native English teacher, but I couldn’t say a word. I was shocked. This experience motivated me to start studying, and I became genuinely interested. I went through all the English textbooks I could find and participated in every English competition held nationwide. Eventually, I gained admission to Korea University through a special process for students with exceptional English talent.”

The best Korean learning service, created by global friendships

The sense of achievement from mastering English led him to another passion: breakdancing. He joined a dance club and spent countless hours practicing. “One day, while walking down the street, I saw middle and high school students practicing breakdancing. They looked so cool that I asked, ‘If I learn how to do that, can I do it too?’ That’s how I got started. I joined the campus street dance club, KUDT, as a second-year student and practically lived in the practice room, dancing for over six hours a day.”

While thriving as a dancer on campus, Sun never neglected his language skills. His exceptional English ability proved useful when international students began arriving in the late 1990s. More than simple interactions, he found joy in teaching Korean culture to foreign students. "“Through conversations with foreign friends, I realized I was a ‘frog in a well.’ No matter how well I spoke English, I felt embarrassed not knowing the names of the American singers, famous companies, or snacks mentioned in their stories. Conversely, they had many questions about Korea, asking how to order in restaurants or about the principles of boarding houses. That’s when I started thinking about creating more content for my friends.”

“I believe opportunities arise when you delve deep into what you love and into the problems you want to solve. People often find jobs by following a set path, but I hope they don’t overlook their passions.”

Subsequently, he started a blog and managed a podcast and YouTube channel. Drawing on years of experience, he launched the online Korean learning service “Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK).” Shortly after, he also became an instructor for EBS’s flagship English education program. Based on his fluency in both English and Korean, TTMIK offers engaging lessons and comprehensive materials designed for foreign learners. Many foreign guests who showcased their fluent Korean on the JTBC show Non Summit learned the language using TTMIK’s materials.

“Korean is much harder than people realize, especially for English speakers. It requires thousands of hours of study, so explanations need to be clear and concise. We also need materials that cater to students at different levels. That’s why we launched the level-specific reading app ‘TTMIK Stories’ this year to help advanced learners continue their studies.”

In today’s digital age, where short and impactful content grabs attention, the challenge is to help learners maintain focus.

“Studying requires active engagement of the brain. I’m trying to figure out how to encourage people to actually study instead of getting lost in addictive short-form videos. I want to reach out to those who are just scrolling through Instagram and TikTok.”

Learning languages as if you were working out at the gym

Even though technological advancements are expected to gradually eliminate language barriers, why is it still necessary to learn languages? Sun, who speaks five languages including English, French, and Japanese, emphasizes the importance of language learning. “Throughout human history, learning a language has been a natural and enjoyable activity, yet many people give up. It’s like training at the gym; you need to be consistent for 4-5 years. However, I believe there will be at least ten moments in life when you’ll regret not having learned a language. If you start early, you’ll be able to connect with anyone, anywhere in the world.”

Now a CEO focused on global Korean language learning, Sun reflects on his journey, which started as a student who loved English. He hopes that future generations will not abandon their passions when making career choices. “I believe opportunities arise when you delve deep into what you love and into the problems you want to solve. People often find jobs by following a set path, but I hope they don’t overlook their passions.”

Speaking a new language opens up a new world. Just as English has for him, Sun dreams that Korean will bring opportunities to many people. He aims to ensure that TTMIK remains ‘everyone’s friendly Korean teacher’ so that he can hear stories about how learning Korean has positively changed people’s lives.