Once frustrated by being forced to learn Vietnamese, Hari Won (29, of Korean-Vietnamese descent) suddenly seemed to possess a “magic spell” as she became one of the top students in learning Vietnamese. What is the secret of this beautiful girl?
Hari Won - Photo: provided by the subject
From boredom to... passion
Hari Won stated that, up to now, the total time (non-continuous) she has lived in Vietnam is about 10 years. However, Hari has only studied Vietnamese systematically for over 3 years. Currently preparing to enter her fourth year at the Department of Vietnamese Studies (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City), Hari commented: “People might think I am being immodest by saying this, but I am actually a very good student. There are 30 people in the class, and I think I am in the top 3.”
Looking back at the past, Hari admitted that as a child, she did not like learning Vietnamese. “In Korea, my father started teaching me Vietnamese when I was 6 years old. At home, we often spoke to each other in Korean. There were no Vietnamese people around, so I did not know how to speak this language at all. Furthermore, my father’s way of teaching was aggressive and full of compulsion, which made me cry all the time and hate studying,” Hari recalled.
During her first trip back to her father's homeland at the age of 10, Hari began to take an interest in learning Vietnamese through games and interacting with neighborhood friends. Later, having the opportunity to return to Vietnam, Hari worked as an interpreter for a company. She confessed: “Often, they would say things I couldn't fully understand, and when I wanted to translate something, I couldn't say it. At those times, I felt very frustrated and disappointed in myself because I was taking their money but couldn't get the job done. Because of that, at 25, I decided to quit my job to take the entrance exam and study Vietnamese formally at the university.” She compared: “When I was young, I was forced, so I couldn't absorb it. Now, I am very passionate about learning because it is a hobby and an inner motivation.”
Addressing the situation where many students are studying majors that do not suit them, Hari advised: “Why don't you speak to your parents about how your personality doesn't fit that major? In any case, after graduating from high school, you have become an adult; you must know how to tactfully persuade your parents to choose the right major you love. That is better than just saying 'yes' and then being forced to study what you don't want, which leads to many terrible consequences.”
Wanting to be a “bridge”
According to her plans, in nearly a year, Hari will graduate. She says that if possible, she will continue to study more about the Vietnamese economy and law. Besides that, Hari hopes to release a music album this year. She also dreams of trying her hand at acting, especially in roles as international students or foreigners living in Vietnam.
In particular, Hari Won affirmed that her ultimate goal is to support young people living in multinational families. “I am a mixed-race person myself, with a Vietnamese father and a Korean mother, so I have experienced and understood the disagreements that occur due to the different cultural customs of different countries. I want to act as a bridge to participate in resolving such conflicts and misunderstandings.”
Suddenly remembering something important, Hari added: “When I was small, I was very eager to learn, but my family didn't have money to pay for tuition. Luckily, there was someone who helped me for a whole year, so I could continue to go to school. Until now, I am still very grateful to that person. Therefore, I decided that in the near future, I will become a person like her.”
Outspoken and witty, but with every action and word, she always hides a sense of determination. This girl of Vietnamese-Korean blood expresses her life perspective: “When I want to do something and there is an obstacle, I will break it and overcome it. Thanks to that, I always live in a progressive and very brave way.”
“Do not give up everything to follow an idol” Hari Won used to be a member of the music group Kiss in South Korea. In Vietnam, many audiences began to know Hari when she joined rapper Dinh Tien Dat in programs like The Amazing Race Vietnam 2013, An Tet Viet... She has also released her first single in Vietnamese titled Hoa Tuyet (Snow Flower). Sharing about the issue of idols, Hari Won said: “It's good for young people to have idols, there's nothing wrong with that. However, you need to set a condition: I must complete my duties, then move on to the matter of idols. Giving up all your work, neglecting your family, and only knowing how to be obsessed and follow an idol is not something you should do.” |
Nhu Lich
Source: http://www.thanhnien.com.vn/pages/20140818/uoc-mo-cua-dua-con-lai.aspx
