[YeitSuda] "I'm a big fan of NewJeans and BTS" Harlem's miracle of 100% college admission rate through Korean-style education

"When I'm having a hard time, when I feel like crying, when I have no energy left, It's you who worries about me, It's you who makes me smile."

A total of 105 students from Democracy Prep Public School in New York, USA, visited Korea on a school trip to experience K-Culture firsthand. The photo shows Mariama, a student from Democracy Prep Public School. Photo by Heeyoon Kim

On the 12th, at Cheonggyecheon High Ground, I met a Black girl showing off exceptional dance skills to NewJeans' "OMG." Mariama, a high school student on a school trip from the U.S., greeted me in Korean with "Annyeonghaseyo?" She introduced herself as a big fan of NewJeans and BTS and said she was enjoying experiencing K-pop content firsthand in Korea. A group of 105 students from Democracy Prep Public School in New York, supported by the Korea Tourism Organization's New York office, were visiting Korea for 7 nights and 8 days to experience various aspects of K-culture.

Founded in 2005, this school is a charter public school located in Harlem, New York, with 99% of its students being Black and Hispanic. Korean is offered as a second language, and Korean cultural classes such as Taekwondo and fan dance are mandatory subjects, so the students were familiar with basic Korean and Korean culture. A school official explained that while typical American high schools hold classes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., this school operates from 7:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., with special activities and supplementary classes like Korean dance and Taekwondo running until 7 p.m. after school. Additionally, students must complete Korean language courses throughout all four years of high school to graduate. It was the moment I understood the meaning behind the "I LOVE 한국" T-shirts the students were wearing that day.

In typical Harlem households, no one has gone to college, nor do they consider sending their children to college. Seth Andrew, who founded this school, experienced Korea's passionate educational culture firsthand while working as a native English instructor at a middle school in Cheonan. Despite poverty, Korean parents were determined to send their children to college, and he wanted to bring that spirit to his hometown of Harlem by establishing this school. The school, which had been among the lowest-performing in Harlem, transformed into one of New York City's top schools after adopting the Korean-style education system. The school's motto is "Work Hard, Go to College, Change the World!" Now in its 19th year, the school boasts a 100% college admission rate, including prestigious universities, becoming a landmark in Harlem.

Shanique Clement, the principal who came to Korea with the students, said, "At first, I wondered why we were teaching Korean instead of French or Spanish to the students. But I soon understood when I saw how learning Korean naturally led them to embrace Korean manners and culture and adopt Korean values, which changed their attitude toward studying." She added, "When students submit college applications, having completed Korean language courses and classes on Korean culture acts as a unique credential that sets them apart from other applicants. American universities value that Harlem students have mastered the difficult Korean language and embraced Korean values such as respecting parents and teachers, which contributes to their high college acceptance rates."

The founder's hope that Korea's potential is also Harlem's potential, and that Korean-style education could revitalize troubled neighborhoods like Harlem and bring educational innovation, has become a reality. Mariama, who kept humming NewJeans songs, said, "Because I learn Korean at school, my older sister and mom have naturally become very interested in Korean culture." K-culture, which has transformed the local educational culture, is now expanding its role as a tool of grassroots diplomacy.

Editor's Note"Yeitsuda (藝It Suda)" is a column focusing on issues and trends in the arts, including music, visual arts, and performances.