Kudos to readers' column

Kudos to readers’ column

 

                                                                                          By Lee Hyon-soo

 

I started to read The Korea Times when I was a college student in the distant past. I thought that reading this paper day after day would help me become proficient in English. And it did. 

 

Although I read this paper thoroughly, my favorite is the Thoughts of the Times column. Obviously, it is not just me who is attracted to this column. From what I hear, amid the pages of news on Korea, this column remains popular among readers.

 

As I see it, the allure of this column is that it is accessible to anybody who has anything worthwhile to say. Indeed, it is a sought-after outlet/platform which allows anybody to give voice to his or her views on various topics. That is why this column receives unsolicited contributions from people with diverse backgrounds, most of whom are not writers by profession. What drives them to write in this column?

 

Some contributors may simply have a passion for writing and enjoy the process of creating and sharing their writings with a wide audience. For them, the publication of their writings in this column can be a great source of personal fulfillment and validation for their writing skills.

 

For some contributors, the act of writing can be a transformative experience. It can allow them to explore their own thoughts and feelings and gain new insights and perspectives on the world around them. Through writing, they can tap into their creativity and imagination and discover new ways of seeing and experiencing the world.

 

Some contributors may want to publish their writings to bring public attention to a cause which is dear to their hearts. This can be particularly true for those who are involved in advocacy work.

 

For some aspiring writers, being published in this column can provide exposure and recognition for their writings. Also, with their writings published in this column, some contributors may gain networking opportunities. They may connect with other writers or professional editors who can provide them with friendship or mentorship.

 

Each contributor may have unique reasons and purposes for contributing their writings to this column and it can serve as a deeply personal and meaningful endeavor.

 

As for me, I made my debut as a contributor in my late 30s when my first article was published in this column in October 1981. Since then, I have been an on-again off-again contributor. With each contribution, I have honed my writing skills over time with the help of the editors at The Korea Times.

 

I enjoy the act of articulating my thoughts into words in English, a foreign language which I have worked long and hard to learn. I also take pleasure in sharing my writings with a multitude of people unknown to me.

 

When I manage to produce a piece of writing that is presentable, I feel a sense of accomplishment. There is an added bonus. I have many friends in Korea, Canada, Singapore and Japan where I worked as an international banker. By getting my writings published in this column, I can let them know that I am still alive and kicking, although I am at an advanced age.

 

The writer (tomhslee43@gmail.com) is the author of “Invitation to World-famous Works of Literature” written in Korean.

 

Note: This essay appeared in the August 21, 2023 issue of The Korea Times.

 

A feedback received from a reader:

I enjoyed your article. You write well; you command English very well. I, too, am an intermittent contributor for the reasons you did give. Anyway, I hope you find it a perpetual rewarding hobby to continue your submissions.

- William Jones