"Secrets to Joining a Large Corporation? Mastering Korean Through 'Secret Garden'" [Korean Era③]

Sejong Institute Outstanding Student Jeren Izugi
Recognized for Proficient Korean Skills, Joins LG Chem
"Thanks to Sejong Institute, I Watch TV Without Subtitles"
"Feels Like Home When Visiting Korea"

Zeren Izgi is a sales representative at LG Chem's Turkey branch. He researches the local market and handles requests from companies. Communication in Korean is essential. He must coordinate with the Korean headquarters to find solutions. All his department supervisors are also Korean. He takes pride in doing work that not just anyone can do.

Jeren Izgi working at LG Chem Turkey Corporation
Photo by Sejong Institute Foundation

"Globally renowned Korean conglomerates like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai are very popular among job seekers in Turkey. LG Chem is no different. Although it is less known due to its B2B business focus, LG Electronics is quite famous (laughs). Everyone envies those who work at good companies. Juniors learning Korean often ask for advice on how to get into Korean conglomerates."

The background of his special ability lies in Korean dramas. Izgi became deeply engrossed in 'Secret Garden,' recommended by a friend in high school. He found Korean dramas captivating and binge-watched about fifty episodes. Naturally, as he understood simple words, he decided to study Korean.

He enrolled in the Department of International Trade at Bilgi University in Istanbul. Upon entering university, he declared to his family that he would learn Korean. His parents, looking for Korean language academies, discovered that there was a Sejong Institute in Istanbul. Izgi confirmed that all the teachers were Korean and proceeded with the registration process.

Zeren Izgi won first place in the 2019 Turkey Sejong Institute Korean Speaking Contest.
[Photo by Sejong Institute Foundation]

"My friends thought I would give up after attending for a short time. But I consistently studied Korean until I graduated from university. Before attending the Sejong Institute, I could only understand and recognize words often heard in dramas like 'please,' 'I love you,' and 'sorry.' After studying at the Sejong Institute, it was different. I can converse with teachers without problems, write emails, and watch television without subtitles."

He passed the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) Level 5. Now, he feels more comfortable with Korean than English. Izgi credits Korean culture as the secret. As he learned more, his interest in Korean grew.

"The Korean culture class held at the Sejong Institute teacher's home is the most memorable. Especially, making and eating tteokguk with classmates is unforgettable. I could feel the joy of cooking together and the teacher's warmth."

Zeren Izgi visited many regions in Korea and experienced various cultures.
Photo by Sejonghakdang Foundation

Izgi also studied in Korea. As an exchange student, he attended Chungnam National University in 2018 and Myongji University in 2020. In 2019, he won first place in the Turkish Sejong Institute Korean speaking contest, earning a plane ticket to Korea.

"From 2018 until last year, I stayed in Korea for a long time for study, travel, and business trips. I did not stay only in Seoul. I visited many regions such as Busan, Gyeongju, Jeonju, and Jeju to experience diverse Korean cultures. At first, everything was fascinating due to unfamiliar food and very different living environments. During my last visit last year, I no longer felt that way. It felt like coming home (laughs)."

Thanks to his excellent Korean skills, he joined Hyosung TNC in Turkey immediately after graduation. After working hard for one and a half years, he transferred to LG Chem's Turkey branch under better conditions. Izgi said, "If I had not learned Korean, my life would be very different now," and added, "I will continue to steadily improve my Korean skills."

Jeren Izgi considers Korea as his second hometown.
[Photo by Sejong Institute Foundation]

"While studying Korean, I always dreamed of joining a Korean company. That desire grew stronger while studying as an exchange student at a Korean university. Looking back, I think my dream came true because I learned Korean well at the Sejong Institute. If I hadn't known Korean, I could never have joined a large company like LG Chem. Besides, my major is not even chemistry (laughs)."