How do you like Korea? A question that I have been faced with since I arrived to Seoul in October 2010 to set up the embassy after almost 49 good years of diplomatic relations between our two countries. That October Seoul was the host of the G20 Summit and our offices were initially set up at Lotte Hotel in downtown’s Myeong-dong.

Traffic in the capital is never easy, so I thought to myself, how would it be possible to move around 20 heads of states and their entourage and what have you in such conditions? The Korean Government issued a plea to the people to use public transportation during the Summit. I was amazed how the public responded graciously and traffic was actually much smoother. Hence, my first developed impression on Korea that its people are really dedicated and responsible. They are also kind, supportive and helpful – especially to strangers.

Living in Seoul for the past year and a half, I find it amazing how family and friendship values and respect is maintained given the fact that life in this well developed, advanced and colourful country can be very fast. Maintaining the deep rooted heritage and presenting a shiny image of Korea in all aspects is something I feel almost everyone in this great nation is committed to contributing to. Hat’s off...

Music, soul food, is also something that Koreans have developed a great taste for. I have had the pleasure of experiencing traditional Korean music performances and Korean pop songs that are becoming an international phenomenon really and simply a pleasure to experience.

In Seoul today, I enjoy Korean songs, and try to learn the lyrics as well, in a bid to increase the volume of my Korean word pile and get a better understanding or a sense of what really matters to our friends here.

Songs I really came to appreciate in Korea are by Ms. Shim Soo-bong, for example, and by Mr. Chu Ga-Yeol, who I now know personally I am happy to add. I first heard one of his songs being played by a live band at Lotte, the title “나 같은건 없는 건가요”. The song’s beat, the rhythm, is quite fresh and captivating at the same time and really got me curious about Korean music.

When I asked about the singer someone told said Chu Ga-Yeol. What came to mind almost instantly was that I really wanted to meet this Chu Ga-Yeol to thank him for the music... A few weeks later it so happened that I was having dinner with a good doctor friend of mine from Seoul National University Hospital who offered to make the introduction since, he told me, he knows Mr. Chu and that held a charity performance at his hospital before. Not too long after I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Chu and we had a good night out with friends. He, unsurprisingly, enchanted us with his crystal like voice. To my mind, he is a great singer, a magnificent guitarist and composer and truly noteworthy. People sing his songs all the time, and although initially I did not know what the song is about, it got me hooked to Korean songs that I am always happily sharing with Korean and other friends. A most effective tool of communication, if I may add, especially in the absence of my Korean language skills...

To Koreans reading this, your Republic has something good to offer to the world in many aspects than what meets the eye really by virtue of its people, their commitment and strive towards a better way life. May you prosper...

How do you like Korea? I simply love it…