I have never said this before but I honestly am quite scared to use Korean with someone unless I am absolutely comfortable.
I think the main reason why is that once people find out that I studied Korean, they automatically label me and I'm not too fond of the labels usually.
I have had Koreans who I wanted to be friends with, stop talking to me when they find my channel because they see all the Kpop and assume I'm only trying to be friends with them because they're Korean (which, if you know me, is not true)...
"Koreaboo"
"Wannabe Korean"
"Asian Fetish"
"Try Hard"
"Mayo" (honestly I laugh more at this one)
Those are all words, and phrases that people will associate with me when they see my Instagram or YouTube channel, or when they find out that I studied Korean for a while now...
Like (in the words of one of my good good friends) BRRAAAHHHHH
lol
I can't help but shake that scared feeling when it comes to using Korean, and I'm honestly trying to get over that fear of being judged but again... it takes time and support...
I understand how some of my friends have felt when they first started learning English and when they would only speak to me in Korean because
It's scary to make mistakes
저는 한국어를 이년 동안 공부했어요. 근데.., 무서워요...
