Since childhood, her passion for K-pop has been a motivation for Sezim to learn the Korean language and enroll in a Kyrgyz-Korean college. After successfully passing the competition in 2022, she went to Korea, where she studied at universities and worked part-time as a waitress.
Upon returning to Kyrgyzstan, Sezim organized Korean language courses and continues to study German.
Sezim was born in 2004 in Uch-Terek, which is located in the Toktogul district. She studied at M. Nurgaziev School until the 9th grade. "Like many of my peers, I fell in love with Korean music and wanted to learn the language," she shares.
At the age of 15, she enrolled in a Kyrgyz-Korean college in the capital, Bishkek. "At first, the Korean language seemed difficult to me, but over time I learned to speak without an accent, and later even started teaching others who wanted to learn," Sezim recounts.
In 2022, she passed the competition and went to Korea. "When I started this journey, many doubted my success, thinking that my interest would fade quickly. Thanks to my parents' support, I went anyway, and this experience turned out to be invaluable," she says.
Sezim studied at Hoseo University in Cheonan and Sojeong University in Icheon, and also worked during her free time. "I spent two years in Korea. Initially, it was hard for me to get used to the local cuisine, especially seafood. I was afraid of octopuses, but over time I learned to eat shrimp, crabs, and octopuses with various sauces — I really liked them," she shares.
The first semester of her studies was free, and then she studied on a contractual basis. Sezim worked as a waitress in cafes and shops. "I noticed that family meals are a real tradition for Koreans. Families came to cafes together, from children to elderly people. I saw adults respectfully drinking 'sul' — a Korean alcoholic beverage that is part of their culture," she notes.
Sezim was often mistaken for a local resident. "Koreans called me Sidjim Pak. When they found out that my last name was Zamirbekova, they were surprised — my speech was indistinguishable from theirs," she recounts.
After returning to Kyrgyzstan, Sezim began conducting Korean language courses both online and offline. "My youngest student is only 10 years old, and he is already showing excellent results," she proudly says.
Sezim believes that success in language learning depends on perseverance. "The Korean language is one of the easier ones for Kyrgyz people, as it has a lot in common with our language. Currently, I am studying German and planning a trip to Germany. I dream of traveling around the world," Sezim shares her ambitions.
