I fell in love with an alphabet

Hangul is more than writing, it is woven into Korean culture

- Thami Kwazi

It wasn't a person. It wasn't even a place. It was a language, or more precisely, the beautiful and poetic Korean alphabet known as Hangul.

When I landed in South Korea, I had no idea that a series of curved lines and geometric shapes would capture my heart.

I came for the Hangul Festival and Hangul Day, a national celebration that honours the Korean alphabet. I left with a newfound respect for how language can be both an art form and a bridge between cultures.

Before arriving, I'll admit, Hangul looked intimidating. The characters seemed like intricate puzzles and I was convinced it would take me months to even write my name. But in Korea, patience is a way of life.

There's a warmth in the way locals help foreigners embrace not just their alphabet but their entire way of communicating.

That's when I began to understand something profound: learning Hangul isn't only about memorising letters, it's about feeling the rhythm of a people who value clarity, connection and grace.