Inside Korean Culture with Jim Figueroa
Exclusive Video Interview on TOPIK & Beyond
Watch the full interview between Eliza (host of TOPIK & Beyond) and Jim Figueroa, author of They Come in Peace.
Jim isn’t just an author - he’s lived and worked in Korea, inside its entertainment industry, collaborating with producers from KBS and MBC (two of Korea’s biggest broadcasting stations), even helping bring The Good Doctor into Hollywood. He’s also worked with the producer of Full House - yes, that iconic K-drama - and even had unexpected encounters with K-pop stars like BTS.
In this conversation, Jim shares:
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What it was like working inside Korea’s entertainment world
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How Korean culture concepts like 눈치 (reading the room), 답답하다 (feeling suffocated/frustrated), 부담되다 (feeling pressure), and the 빨리빨리 (“hurry hurry”) culture show up in daily life
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Why language is the key to understanding culture - and how it changes the way you live, work, and connect in Korea
Whether you’re a K-drama fan, a Korean learner, or just curious about the culture behind the stories you love - you’ll walk away with new insights and a deeper appreciation for Korean life.
Want to Speak Korean Like You’re In the Story?
Listening is inspiring, but speaking changes everything.
That’s why I created the 5-Day K-Drama Speaking Challenge.
From Sept 29 - Oct 3, 2025, you’ll step into daily K-drama inspired “scenes” and practice speaking Korean out loud - with me giving you personalized feedback inside Telegram.
If you’ve ever dreamed of expressing yourself naturally (without freezing or sounding textbook-y), this is your chance to finally do it in a safe, supportive space.
Spots are limited (so I can give feedback to everyone).
Save Your Spot for the 5-Day Challenge