※ 아래 스크립트는 발표자의 발표내용을 그대로 표기하였으므로 구어체 표현이 포함되어있고, 

   일부 문장은 문법적 오류가 포함될수 있는점 참고 부탁드립니다.

Good morning everyone, my name is Bae Jong Hwa and I'm here to share my story. 

To me, motivation is like a light when I'm trapped in a dark room. It wakes me up 

and shows me a way to get out of that darkness.

 

As a senior in college, I used to be insecure about myself and my future, but I had 

a motivating experience that taught me about perseverance. This past summer 

I had a chance to be an English interpreter of the reality TV show “Welcome, 

First Time in Korea”, which focused on American guest. It's a popular show in Korea 

and it was my first time working for a TV show, so when I was offered the job, 

I was nervous. However, I said to myself, “You have nothing to lose” and “It will 

be exciting”. So, I took a chance and it became an inspiring experience.

 

This reality show featured three former basketball players from Seattle visiting Korea 

for the first time, and spending four days experiencing Korean culture. My job was 

to follow these Americans for nearly 18 hours a day and translate every single word 

they said, because their reaction to Korean culture was the main focus of the show. 

We went to Gangnam, Hongdae, Itaewon, the Kimchi museum, Namdaemun market, 

and even a K-pop concert. Pretty much all of the fun places in Korea that you can 

think of.

 

Most of the schedule involved outdoor filming and it all happened in July, so we 

worked during the hottest part of summer in Korea. The schedule was tight. I only 

got to sleep four hours a day, and translating when many foreigners were speaking 

at the same time was not easy. Nevertheless, I was so excited the whole time 

because being a part of a TV production was like riding a roller coaster. It made me 

forget about all of the heat and tiredness. I can never forget the passion that I felt 

when we were in Gangnam, filming in the midst of the crowd and the entire staff 

moved together through every single scene. I felt like we were the center of the 

universe. Producers, writers, and cameramen, they all looked so professional. To 

me, they were the real celebrities. This experience was more than just a job, it 

became my motivation.

 

I'm 28 and a senior in college. I used to be insecure because I had been rejected 

from getting jobs or even internships. I wanted to feel what it’s like to be passionate 

at work, but it was hard for me to get an opportunity in the first place. Some people 

even told me that I was too old to get a chance. I let their negative words bring me

down. So, I needed something new, something that could raise me up. And luckily 

this new experience was a big eye-opener for me. Even when TV staff members faced 

difficulties like filming in severe weather, stress from working 20 hours, rushing to 

finish their meal in five minutes, or dealing with unexpected obstacles, they never 

gave up and continued to work on their next scene. They didn't view their struggle 

as a permanent condition but as part of the process for their show. I thought reality 

shows were just for fun, but realize that TV staff members put their hearts and 

energies into their work, no matter the circumstances. And this is what I needed; 

their work ethic.

 

This made me realize I have to stop whining about-about my failure, and move on 

to the next scene. Just because it felt like I was hitting rock bottom, that didn't 

mean my own personal show was over. This realization was my light in the dark 

room. My mother told me that being able to work is a blessing. Now I understand 

what she meant. Even if I face difficulties again, I know I will only have one choice. 

Never give up and do my best, just as I learned from the TV staff that motivated

me. That is what I want to tell myself and other college students out there who 

need more courage. So, if any of you here, were struggling from unemployment, 

or any sort of rejection, I hope my speech encouraged you. Thank you.