Learning Korean as a Filipino: My Honest Journey + Beginner Tips

Learning Korean as a Filipino is an experience shaped by culture, curiosity, and connection.

It’s a wild mix of fun, frustration, relatable struggles, and major eureka moments.

For many of us, the spark starts with K-dramas, K-pop, or variety shows. But what begins as passive entertainment often turns into a deeper desire to understand the language, connect with people, and see the culture beyond subtitles.

I grew up watching Koreanovelas dubbed in Tagalog on free TV, by the way. I didn’t plan on becoming a Korean language learner. It actually started during a time when I was just trying to feel okay again. Watching Korean shows brought me comfort, and before I knew it, I was picking up words, phrases, and eventually having real conversations.

Who am I?

Hi, I’m Kayi 👋
A Filipina learner, Korean language enthusiast, and your lowkey relatable internet 언니.

My journey with Korean started in 2018, during one of the lowest points in my life. What began as casually binge-watching a variety show to escape heartbreak unexpectedly became a turning point.

Yes, heartbreak led me to Korean, and honestly? It turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Fast forward to today: I’ve passed the EPS-TOPIK exam, I can understand most everyday conversations, and Korean has become a huge part of both my personal life and creative work. I even started making content to help others learn, too, through this blog, my socials (@KoreanWithKayi), and my YouTube channel TheAsianBelle (which I’m now bringing back to life!).

What’s next?

The real story.
What it’s actually like learning Korean as a Filipino: the relatable wins, the awkward fails, the resources that helped me, and all the small breakthroughs in between.

1. My Korean Learning Journey (The Moment That Sparked It All)

I didn’t exactly plan to learn Korean. I wasn’t one of those people with a study schedule and a Pinterest vision board. Nah. I was just... lost.

It was late 2016 when I randomly stumbled across a Korean variety show called 2 Days 1 Night. I was curled up in bed, just looking for anything that might make me feel okay again. Then on YouTube, I hit play on the episode with the Hwarang cast (yes, Park Seojoon, Park Hyungshik, and Choi Minho, yes, that lineup), and it made me laugh so hard I forgot I was sad… at least for a minute. It made me fall in love with Korea’s culture, scenery, and humor.

And from there? It spiraled — the best kind of spiral.

I binge-watched more episodes. I laughed at the chaotic games. I soaked in the scenery, the food, the countryside, and the local life. And then I started recognizing words... then phrases… then actual sentence patterns.

Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, I found healing. Korean variety shows gave me comfort. Watching stories unfold in a completely different language gave me perspective. And that curiosity, that urge to understand without subtitles? It pushed me to do something I never expected:

👉 I signed up for Yonsei University’s beginner Korean course on Coursera.

And just like that, I was rerouted.
Because sometimes, heartbreak doesn’t just hurt. It redirects you.

2. Why Filipinos Have a Head Start in Learning Korean

If you grew up in the Philippines, then formality isn’t exactly new. We’ve been raised to say “po” and “opo” to every tita, lola, or tricycle driver older than us since birth. That built-in respect system? Korean has it, too! In fact, their honorifics game is next level. (입니다 supremacy, anyone?)

But here’s where it gets even better:

We’re already code-switching royalty. Taglish is practically our native dialect at this point. We mix and match English and Tagalog, like it’s second nature. “Saan ka na? I’m here na, like, kanina pa.” So when Korean grammar comes in with new sentence structures and connectors, it doesn’t feel intimidating. It feels like… remixing a language playlist we already knew how to DJ.

And that’s a huge advantage. Our brains are trained to jump between languages. It’s why things like subject-object-verb word order don’t throw us off as much as they might for others. We’re basically built for multilingual mode. You know how the Philippines has over 150 legit languages? Not dialects. Actual freakin’ languages. 💅

So if you’ve ever doubted your ability to learn Korean, DON'T.

You’ve been unknowingly training for this since your childhood teleserye marathons and classroom recitations. If you're one of the Titas and Titos, like me, who hurrily come home to watch our most awaited Koreanovelas? This is basic for you.

3. The Real Struggles (a.k.a. The Drama Before the Drama)

Let's be real. Even with our multilingual background, learning Korean has its own set of curveballs. It still comes with its own set of “HUH?!” moments.

Particles like 은/는 and 이/가? Confusing, like really. It took a while to grasp when and why they’re used. It’s one of those things you slowly internalize through exposure, not just memorization. To be honest, I sometimes still confuse those even now.

Pronunciation? Definitely not a walk in the park. Korean has subtle sounds that don’t exist in Filipino or English. They also don’t have sounds we use often, like “cra,” “fro,” or “tra,” which makes switching between languages a bit jarring.

Homonyms? This was another unexpected challenge. So many Korean words sound alike but mean completely different things. It’s not enough to just hear a word. You really have to rely on context and sentence structure to figure out what’s being said. One word could mean several different things depending on how it’s used. That’s when I realized: vocabulary memorization is just the start. Real understanding comes from immersion.

Speaking to native speakers? Honestly, nerve-wracking in the beginning. I kept second-guessing every word I said. But over time, with practice (and a very patient conversation partner), it became less about being perfect and more about being understood.

SHOUTOUT to my jagiya who helped me so much without even trying. He never made me feel bad about my mistakes or laughed at my accent or awkward grammar. I always felt seen and heard! Even in a different language. He just talked to me naturally. And thanks to our late-night convos, I started understanding more and more without needing Google Translate or Naver Papago.

That’s when I realized:

Real progress doesn’t always come from textbooks. Sometimes, it comes from real conversations, even if they’re messy at first. The struggle is real, but so is the growth.

4. FREE Resources That Actually Help (Tried, Tested, & Beginner-Approved 💯)

There’s never been a better time to start learning Korean. Seriously. With so many resources out there now (and generous learners sharing what they know), you don’t need to enroll in a fancy school to get started.

Korea has gone GLOBAL, bestie. This means more materials, better apps, and tons of content to learn from. I mean, you can literally pick a BTS song and study the lyrics like it’s a poetic masterpiece. Hallyu made learning Korean feel like a fan service.

Here are the tools and tricks that helped me the most on my journey that can totally help you, too:

📘 Coursera – Yonsei University’s Korean Course

One of the best free and structured beginner courses out there. It’s taught in English, is super beginner-friendly, and is backed by a reputable Korean university (Yonsei!).

You’ll learn everything from Hangeul to basic conversations. Plus, they offer downloadable PDFs, allowing you to review without needing to take notes.

📺 Jenny Korean Lesson on YouTube

If you love step-by-step lessons and a clear learning path, Jenny’s got you. Her playlist is organized by level and lesson number, making it easy to track your progress. It’s perfect for beginners who want to study on their own time, with no pressure and no stress.

🎬 K-Dramas & Variety Shows = Real-Life Listening Practice

Watching Korean shows isn’t just fun, and it’s actually an amazing way to pick up vocabulary, expressions, and pronunciation. Start with subtitles to enjoy the story, then rewatch without them to test your listening skills. You’ll start recognizing sentence patterns, tone, and even slang!

Pro tip: Variety shows like 2 Days 1 Night or My Little Old Boy are gold mines for casual speech and everyday expressions.

📝 Bonus Tip: Write Vocabs, But Only If That Works for You

Writing things down can boost memory, but don’t stress if you’re not a note-taking person. Most online courses and YouTube lessons now offer downloadable materials, vocab lists, and lesson recaps.

And the best part? So many people now, just like me, are learning and sharing as they go. Whether you're following someone on IG, reading blogs like this, or joining online communities, you're not learning alone.

You’re part of a growing community that lifts each other up.

No pressure to be perfect — just show up, stay curious, and celebrate every small win. You've got this!

5. From Burnout to a Comeback Story

Let me tell you a little story that still gives me goosebumps.

Years ago, I created a YouTube channel called TheAsianBelle. It started as a way to share what I was learning in Korean: beginner-friendly videos, casual study vlogs, basic phrases, and little lessons I picked up along the way. I had no fancy setup, no viral blueprint. All I had was just a heart full of curiosity and a real love for the Korean language.

And somehow… it clicked.
The channel slowly grew. I gained over 44,000 subscribers, got monetized, and started getting comments from viewers saying how my videos helped them. It was surreal.

But then life happened.
I got overwhelmed, hit burnout, and stopped uploading. One month became two… and before I knew it, a year had passed. YouTube took away my monetization due to inactivity, and I honestly thought that part of my life was over.

Until recently.

I was casually scrolling Reddit (as one does at midnight) when I came across a three-year-old thread recommending Korean learning channels — and my channel name was there. The Asian Belle. Right next to big creators.

Someone remembered me. Someone found my content helpful.

I cried.

That random comment was the sign I didn’t know I needed. It reminded me why I started. Not for views. Not for clout. But to connect, to share, help, and learn together with fellow Filipino learners who didn’t grow up surrounded by Korean language resources, for Filipinos who are studying for the EPS-TOPIK, for dreamers like me!

So here I am, rebuilding with a new brand, new voice, and renewed purpose.

Welcome to Korean With Kayi, my rebranded space on IG, TikTok, Facebook, and here on my blog. It’s more personal now. More intentional.

I want to be the kind of creator who grows with her audience. If you're learning Korean too, whether for EPS-TOPIK, K-drama reasons, travel, or just vibes, you’ll always find something helpful, honest, and encouraging here.

📺 TheAsianBelle on YouTube is coming back. Slowly, but surely.
💻 And this blog? It’s my new online home.

If you've ever felt behind, unsure, or overwhelmed with learning Korean, I’ve been there. And now, I’m here to tell you: You don’t have to do it alone ;)

7. Why It’s STILL Worth It (Even When It Feels Hard)

Let’s be real. Learning Korean isn’t always a cute montage of café study dates and perfect flashcards. Sometimes it’s just you, your notebook, and a headache from trying to understand why 이/가 is so dramatic. 😵‍💫

But then, these moments happen…

That unexpected win when you fully understand a line from a K-drama with no subtitles, no context clues, just your brain doing the thing. That satisfaction is unmatched. Suddenly, it all feels worth it.

Making a Korean friend and realizing you can hold an actual conversation, not just “hello” and “I like kimchi.” You can share stories. Ask questions. Laugh together. That moment of connection? It’s magic.

Reading signs around Koreatown like a local, from restaurant names and menus, and realizing you’re decoding an entirely different world.

Connecting with Korean culture on a deeper level. Beyond the aesthetics and trends, when you start to understand why things are done a certain way, or the meaning behind a simple gesture or phrase, that’s when it hits you: you’re not just learning a language. You’re building a bridge.

So, if you’re ever wondering whether it’s still worth it to keep going? I’m here to say, "Yes. A thousand times, yes."

The small wins stack up, and one day, you’ll look back and realize just how far you’ve come.

And when that day hits? You’ll be proud that you never gave up.

Final Thoughts

For me, learning Korean as a Filipino has been a wild ride! It was funny, frustrating, heartwarming, and empowering. It’s not just about the language. It’s about falling in love with the process, the culture, and honestly... yourself.

If you’re starting your Korean learning journey, this is your sign: go for it.

And if you already are? Keep going. Don’t stop because the grammar is hard or your accent feels off. You're doing amazing. 🤍

Let’s Be Besties!

Follow me on IG, FB, and TikTok: @KoreanWithKayi
Watch me on YouTube: TheAsianBelle
Read more Korean language tea: koreanwithkayi.blogspot.com

See you on the next post!

Korean With Kayi

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