Bhojpuri, a language rooted in the cultural landscape of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, is increasingly recognized beyond its traditional boundaries. The language, once confined to villages and folk traditions, is now a subject of international interest. A recent video featuring Yechan C. Lee, a South Korean content creator, has exemplified this growing trend.
The video features Lee instructing a group of Korean children in the fundamentals of Bhojpuri. The children are actively participating and appear to enjoy learning the language. Lee teaches them phrases for greetings and farewells, including the expressions ‘Ka ho’ for initial encounters, ‘Ka haal ba’ for subsequent meetings, and the response ‘Thik ba’ to queries about well-being. He emphasizes the importance of a sincere ‘Khush raho’ at parting.
The video, shared on the Instagram account ’40kahani,’ has garnered over 300,000 followers. Lee states that teaching Bhojpuri to Korean children was a unique experience for him. The video is a part of his broader efforts on YouTube, where he shares his culture and showcases linguistic diversity. The video has received over 800,000 views and continues to be a trending topic on social media.
Viewers have expressed positive sentiments in the comments section, with some highlighting the heartwarming nature of the video. One user pointed out Bhojpuri’s growing international popularity. Another user humorously noted the parallel with foreigners learning Bhojpuri, similar to how others learn English. Some praised the spread of Indian languages worldwide.
Yechan C. Lee acknowledges his Korean heritage but is proficient in Bhojpuri, with some mistaking him for someone from Bihar. He spent his formative years in Patna, Bihar, completing his education through the 12th grade. The video underscores that Bhojpuri is no longer limited to a regional identity and is gaining global appeal, showcasing Indian culture and language on a worldwide platform.