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How a Language Business Retreat Inspired My Korean Learning Novel

  • Mar 14
  • 2 min read

저는 지난주에 대만에서 열린 Language Business Retreat에 다녀왔어요.

I went to a language business retreat in Taiwan last week.


저는 매일 집에서 혼자 일하고, 사람을 자주 만나지 않는 편이에요.

I work alone at home every day and don’t meet too many people.


그래서 워크숍 첫날, 아래 사진처럼 조용히 앉아서 노트에 적기만 했어요.

So on the first day of the workshop, I just sat quietly and took notes, like you see in the picture below.


Korean author Saehee Um writing story ideas at a language business retreat

그런데 시간이 지나면서 조금씩 마음이 편해졌어요. 왜냐하면 여러 나라에서 온 언어 교육 창업가들이 정말 재미있고 친절했거든요.

But as time went on, I slowly began to feel more relaxed because the language-education entrepreneurs from different countries were very funny and kind.


토론 시간에도 웃는 일이 많았고, 파티 시간에는 갑자기 누가 브레이크댄스를 했어요. (바로 TTMIK의 선현우 선생님이요!)

There were many moments of laughter even during discussion time, and during the party someone suddenly started breakdancing — it was Hyunwoo Sun from TTMIK!


TTMIK's founder Hyunwoo Sun during a business retreat

그리고 한국인 선생님들도 함께 갔는데, 우리는 금방 친해져서 호텔 방에서 새벽 두 시까지 이야기했어요. 한국에서는 이렇게 늦게까지 이야기할 일이 거의 없어서 새로운 경험이었어요.

Some Korean teachers came too, and we quickly became close — we talked until 2 AM in a hotel room! I rarely stay up talking like that in Korea, so it felt new to me.


Saehee Um with fellow Korean teachers at a language business retreat

Me, @koreanmorning, @minji.teaches.korean, @like.a.korean @koreancheatcode



워크숍에서는 사업 이야기도 많이 했어요. 첫날에는 제가 무엇을 하고 싶은지 잘 몰랐는데, 여러 사람과 이야기하면서 생각이 더 분명해졌어요.

At the workshop, we also talked business a lot. On the first day I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but after talking with many people my thoughts became clearer.


앞으로도 재미있고 특이한 이야기를 계속 써야겠다는 생각이 강하게 들었어요.

I strongly felt that I need to keep writing fun and unique stories.


그래서 한국에 돌아온 뒤, 『소나무에 걸린 달』 제2권을 더 열심히 쓰고 있어요. 제1권보다 더 재미있어서 마음에 들어요.

So after coming back to Korea, I’ve been working even harder on The Moon Caught in the Pine Tree Vol. 2. I’m happy because it’s turning out more fun than Vol. 1.


The Moon Caught in the Pine Tree Vol. 2 K-drama style Korean novel for learners


제2권을 기대해 주세요. 출간일은 11월 27일입니다.

Please look forward to Volume 2. The release date is November 27.



If nothing else, learn these 👇👇👇 from this article.

 

사업  business

창업가  entrepreneur



I’ll keep writing even more exciting stories thanks to the ideas I got from the Language Business Retreat. Thank you!




[Update on 2026/03/14]


The Moon Caught in the Pine Tree is now complete as a 4-volume series. Ready to binge the entire story from beginning to end?



The Moon Caught in the Pine Tree complete series illustrated Korean learning novels




Written by Saehee Um


Saehee Um is the creator of ToonToon Korean and the author of illustrated novels for Korean learners. Her books combine binge-worthy storytelling, real-life dialogue, and cultural insights to make learning Korean engaging and fun.


She writes Korean learning novels presented in a K-drama-style script, helping learners improve their Korean through dramatic stories and immersive dialogue.


 
 
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