K-pop Artists Join Korean Language and Culture YouTube Series

The King Sejong Institute Foundation and SBS have teamed up on a three-part YouTube series about Korean language and culture. K-pop artists take part in activities with Korean language learners from around the world, including competitions, proficiency assessments and special lessons.

The second episode, scheduled for release Saturday at 2 p.m., features Ricky of AND2BLE and Mǎ Jingxiang of CLOSE YOUR EYES competing against eight learners. The contestants were chosen from winners of the 2026 King Sejong Institute Korean Speaking and Writing Contest, which drew 3,715 applicants from 75 countries and 178 institutions. The episode also brings Ricky and Mǎ Jingxiang together again after they competed on the same team in an audition program in 2023.

VERIVERY is also set to take part in the project in November, becoming honorary Korean language teachers at the King Sejong Institute in Jakarta, Indonesia. The five members will lead a special class using their song lyrics to explain their meanings. The series links K-pop activities with Korean language learning and cultural experiences.