K-pop idols transform Korean teachers in new YouTube series with language challenges, cultural lessons and global fans

K-pop idols take on a role other than performing and entertaining fans. Several South Korean music groups are participating in a new YouTube project that connects them with foreign students who are learning the Korean language.

K-pop idols learn Korean on YouTube’s new language

The three-part series is produced by the King Sejong Institute Foundation in collaboration with South Korean television station SBS. It aims to use the global popularity of K-pop to encourage more people to learn Korean and explore the country’s culture.

The project features artists participating in language tests, competitions and special teaching sessions with Korean language learners. It also gives international students the opportunity to interact with K-pop artists while demonstrating the language skills they have acquired.

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The second episode, scheduled for release on Saturday, October 31st at 2pm, features Ricky from AND2BLE and Mǎ Jingxiang from CLOSE YOUR EYES. The two artists will compete with eight Korean language students selected from the winners of the 2026 King Sejong Institute Korean Speaking and Writing Contest.

The episode also reunites Ricky and Mǎ Jingxiang after competing on the same team in the audition program in 2023.

The first episode of RESCENE members has crossed one million views

The YouTube project started on October 17 with an episode featuring Minami and May of the girl group RESCENE. Both members appeared for a Korean language test in Sejong where they took a speaking test to prove their Korean knowledge.

The episode received a strong response and crossed one million views on YouTube within seven days of its release.

The opening episode set the tone for a larger project that brings together K-pop artists and people who have developed an interest in the Korean language through their exposure to South Korean entertainment.

The second episode takes the format further by introducing a competitive element. Instead of just featuring idols taking a language test, it puts them next to students who did well in an international Korean competition.

According to the King Sejong Institute Foundation, the 2026 Korean Speaking and Writing Competition received 3,715 entries from 75 countries and 178 institutions. The eight students chosen for the episode were selected from the competition winners.

VERIVERY to organize a special Korean language course in Jakarta

The third part of the project will move beyond YouTube and bring K-pop artists directly into the classroom environment.

In November, all five members of the boy group VERIVERY will take on the role of honorary Korean teachers at the King Sejong Institute in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Members will lead a special class with lyrics from their own songs. It explains the meanings behind the texts and introduces students to useful Korean expressions that can be used in everyday conversation.

The King Sejong Institute Foundation operates in 89 countries

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The project comes as South Korean cultural content continues to attract international audiences, with K-pop playing a major role in introducing people to the country’s language and traditions.

The King Sejong Institute Foundation currently supports 273 King Sejong Institutes in 89 countries. These institutions promote education in Korean and provide opportunities for international students to learn about Korean culture.

By partnering with SBS and involving K-pop artists in its educational content, the foundation is using the entertainment platform to reach an audience that may already be interested in South Korea through music.

All three episodes are available through the foundation’s official YouTube channel.