life updates ✨ // travel plans & the truth about korean language school ✈️🇰🇷

✈️ let's travel together~
my.trovatrip.com/public/l/sur...
make sure to fill out the survey within the next week (until Feb 1st!)
this is a bit of a different video, but it's just how I have been feeling the past few months. 💛
As always, thank you guys so much for all of the love and support. You are amazing! I really hope I'll see you on the trip in the future!! ✨
with 💕,
~Cherie
💕Join me on Patreon!
/ cheriemoore
📚 my Korean italki teacher
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📸 s o c i a l m e d I a:
instagram: / cherie_moore
Spotify: open.spotify.com/user/1244280896
📥 b u s i n e s s i n q u i r i e s
[e-mail]
🎶 m u s I c:
Music by Au Gres - do you think we're old enough - thmatc.co/?l=671C08CC
Taking a Gap Year by Matt Large (epidemic sound) - www.epidemicsound.com/track/K...
🎬 e q u i p m e n t:
camera: Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless www.amazon.com/dp/B079Y45KTJ/...
editing: premiere pro
Time Stamps:
Introduction 0:00-1:30
want to travel with me?✈️ 1:30-5:00
language school background 5:00-5:50
KZbin struggles 5:50-8:24
I am struggling with language school 8:24-8:53
level 3 compared to level 4 8:53-13:05
nearly failing my midterm 13:05 -14:42
I feel like the dumbest one in class 14:42-16:25
language learning burnout & the topik II exam 16:25-17:25
I've lost joy in creating KZbin videos 17:25-18:22
time management struggles 18:22-20:18
short disclaimer 20:18-20:35
overall thoughts on SNU's language program 20:35-21:16
the reasons for my burnout 21:16-22:21
do I actually retain what I am learning? 22:21-23:07
summing up my thoughts 23:07-24:57
conversational Korean 24:57-25:30
do I speak Korean with my boyfriend? 25:31-27:08
video wrap up: 27:08-28:41

[@thedrunkenelf]

I just finished a three hour Korean class and felt so incredibly stupid. It seems like everyone in the class understand except me. Fighting 👍🏼

[@FlamingMVkeys]

Dude I feel that. It’s me in level 4 these days 🥲🥲 but let’s keep going!!! 🥳 everyone has their own pace of learning :)

[@steveroberts3512]

Please continue being realistic in your portrayals of your experiences in learning Korean. For those of us that struggle and feel that we are getting nowhere (after 2 years doing it during my very limited spare time I'm still at level 1) it shows us that it is not as easy as others tell us. I have only recently found your channel after working through Natalia's learning Korean videos and appreciate your honesty.

[@FlamingMVkeys]

Thanks so much for this comment. I’m glad you enjoy the realistic content I post haha 😆 and Natalia’s videos are so good 🤩 I’m glad you like them too!!

[@vintagelace7076]

I love how real you are it's what makes me watch you. Negative moments are real so don't worry.

[@FlamingMVkeys]

Thanks so much for letting me know. I really appreciate it ☺️

[@mmn1442]

You should be very proud of yourself. You are living a life most of us enjoy watching and living vicariously through. Don't pay attention to the haters and focus on what makes you happy.

[@FlamingMVkeys]

Thank you! I really appreciate it. I’m trying my best not to focus too much on haters and stuff. But it’s a process. 😅 but yes, thank you so much! I really appreciate it ☺️

[@FranHutchison]

Be proud of yourself. Pay no mind to those that try and bring you down. Just keep trying. Don't give up you will get there. Don't be too hard on yourself. You got this.

[@ashleighd1274]

Hello! I’ve been watching your content since you moved to Korea to teach English and, this is just my opinion of course, I appreciate that you have been honest about the highs and lows of life in Korea! Even when you’ve discussed aspects that aren’t as positive, you’ve always been respectful and honest. Thank you for sharing as much as you have. I hope that as time goes on, your confidence in speaking Korean will grow stronger and that the new adventures ahead for you will be amazing! 화이팅!

[@FlamingMVkeys]

Thank you so much for saying that 🥺 I really appreciate it!!! 💕

[@Truecrimeresearcher224]

we all have moments like this. but you are doing your best and thats what matters. you rock and i am so glad i found your channel last year

[@kaylaestrada97]

Hello Cherie~ I've been watching you since you consistantly came to Korea to Korea, I actually watched your videos of you studying abroad prior to when I went abroad and it really helped me prepare for going overseas. I understand your frustration with Korean, I was taking classes at my university but now I am at home I am trying to self study. I started using new books and did a self test where I placed in level 2 instead of 3 which I thought was my level. For weeks I was putting my self down for testing at a lower level but I realized that I needed to review some basics before moving to the next level. I applaud your transparency with language school and that you can realize that you feel burnt out. I felt very burnt out with language learning when I was in university as well, I made the personal decision to take a break and it helped me with clarity moving forward with language learning. I had other friends who also changed up their study routines with language learning that helped them become more motivated. Don't listen to any of the hateful comments! You're always open, transparent, and have been able to communicate your own vulnerability on camera which is one of the reasons why I loved watching your content. Have you thought of doing short form videos instead of full length videos? It can help with your creativity with content creation but not be as burdensome as doing a full length video that can be time consuming. I hope you are doing well! I always look forward to your IG stories (my favorite form of social media.)

[@martinmountford1228]

Hey, honestly don't think you are moaning at all! The thing people don't realise is doing Korean lessons or language school alone , won't make you good. Korean, is hard! A two hour lesson with my teacher can turn into three or four days reviewing the lesson, making my own examples, and the reviewing AGAIN! It's so much more than attending a class. My reading and writing are at a good level. Putting it into speech is hard. You are doing fantastic, the burnout is real , made myself sick so many times doing 12 hour Korean study a day . I finally listened to my body and made a realistic schedule 😅 if not the fun just goes and the stress hits home. Also , dumb one in class!? Mate , it's massive just sitting in there, you are doing amazing 😍

[@LaurenTouchstone]

Give yourself some grace.. Your feelings are valid regardless of what anyone says. make sure to take care of yourself because there is nothing worse than trying to pour from an empty cup. Do whatever you need to do to get that joy back, even if its taking a little break from KZbin.. Your true supporters will totally understand and will continue to cheer you on no matter what! You are the one who has to lay your head on your pillow at night so remember to live a life you are proud of and make a true effort to not let the opinions of others dictate how you view yourself. You're doing amazing!! :)

[@greensmoothie1865]

Your Korean is SO much better than when I first met you ahahahaha you are doing great, I'm so proud of you for all you've accomplished so far

[@cockola2936]

I think you are going through the exact same thing as me a few years ago. I learn until level 2 in my homecountry and was always on top of my class and had much confidence and loved learning korean. Then i came as an exchange year to korea and took leve 3 + 4 and honestly it was just too much for me. I was the worst in my class and i just couldn't cope with learning so much information in such a short amount of time. And because of that i had so much stressed, i cried a lot and just lost my passion for learning korean. After i was done with my language classes i didn't have any motivation left to study so i didn't do so for years. Now since beginning of 2023 i started again but this time in my own speed and it's so much more fun and i feel like my passion came back! So what i want to tell you is to hang in there and dont give up! After you are done with the language classes take a bit time off but then continue studying but at your own speed and pace :)

[@jasonw6688]

Good morning, Cherie. I just watched your video. I know you know this, but your loyal followers love and appreciate your videos and are supportive of all you do. I'm sorry for the haters, and I can see how that can suck the joy out of something that once brought you happiness. 😢 I also follow you on IG, but I really look forward to your KZbin vlogs and get happy when a new one pops up. 😊 You definitely have a lot going on now, so I understand the time management. I hope you continue posting on KZbin, but I'll understand your decision. 2 more weeks til your 3-week break. Woohoo! You got this! You can do it! 🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@marria17]

힘네! You have the right to take a break. I'm giving you a follow because I love your transparency. Sending love and support to you ❤

[@ekaterini2957]

sorry you feel so bad, Cherie. I'm just a regular mom here in Houston --- and I LOVE your content -- I don't care if it is youtube or IG (sorry I am just not on tik tok -- not enough time for all of it). Anyway, love and hugs from a nobody who regardless LOVES and APPRECIATES your effort. I only get about 4 hours of sleep every night so I understand this level of exhaustion. My life is filled with different things but as a 40-something just to tell you that you never have more time -- just what you fill your time with will change with time. One day you will be a professional again, a Mom, a wife, a leader in your church (I am sure) and hopefully you still stay our friend online -- even if we only hear from you every few months -- some of us out here in never-never-land are here for you now and really always. Hugs and just plain old mom-type support from back home. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO, NO MATTER HOW LITTLE, NO MATTER HOW SPORADIC.

[@18matcha15]

Watching this video and it's so strangely relatable! Actually I was living in Japan for the last two years. I think my experience for the first year on exchange was really similar to yours at language school in Korea, I started in level 4 (out of 5 levels) and felt so dumb and far behind others in my class esp with my reading and vocab. We had a whole unit on statistics too and I hated it! But at the same time, my language skills improved sooo much looking back and I'm really glad I pushed myself. After my exchange finished I started language school where I felt much more own my own, which was fine, but the quality of my language school in Tokyo just wasn't the best and I was super burnt out. I feel like once you get to a certain level language school stops being as beneficial compared to taking classes alongside of local students etc... by the end of it I just felt like I was learning nothing. It's great that in Korea you can do language school at an actual university rather than having to go to a privately owned school like they have in Japan. I think the quality of teaching is better at university definitely! Anyway, my time in Japan has finished and now I'm thinking of enrolling at Korean University language school for a semester to learn a bit of Korean and stay in Korea with my boyfriend for a few months hahaha. Starting as a beginner again is kind of nerve-wracking but it's nice to hear that you at least liking your teachers and hopefully, when you're finished, you're going to look back and see how much you improved by working hard!! Good luck :)

[@megzlibrary]

The people who hate on you, are people who wish they were in your position. It’s jealousy. Keep going! Keep talking about the good AND the bad. You are human. You have the right to feel what you feel, and it’s okie to feel the feelings that you feel.

[@lakotareed5846]

Don’t let anyone get you down! I love that you talk about both sides of living in Korea. I’ve watched your videos for a while now and see how much work you put in. FIGHTING !!🫰🏻

[@vintagelace7076]

I'm always wanted to see Japan that's so cool..its okay to struggle with things..its how we learn.

[@FlamingMVkeys]

Yesss!!!! I would love if our destination ends up being Japan haha. Going there with you guys would be a dream 🥹🥹

[@AD7Films]

Sorry to hear about your struggles Cherie. Despite the challenges and feeling burnt out, your positive energy is inspiring to watch. Thanks for sharing, very interesting.

[@NalinaVo]

Loving the hair Cherie!! ❤

[@itmebestkjy]

I understand. Keep going and never give up Cherie.❤ Your video is helping me for decide studying Korean language at Seoul National University

[@stephdotjs]

I have started preparing to take the TOPIK test this week and when I saw the intermediate grammar list to study I felt like crying. It's like you said, despite how long we've been studying the language, our lives have other areas that also need care and attention. You are doing great, and it will all be fine. ❤

[@allisonforsythe]

Recently my mantra has been "progress is never linear" You never progress at the same rate over time. Sometimes you feel like you arent make progress when really you are absorbing for the next LAUNCH! :D

[@pstrazza]

If everyone is finding it hard or not doing well, it’s not you it’s the teacher or curriculum. Get through it and don’t be discouraged. Thanks for opening up.

[@user-eu9dm9km9o]

날씨가 추운데 감기 조심하시고요~항상 응원 합니다 파이팅요 ㅎㅎ

[@lauraelainedesilets1189]

People should not judge things they've never gone through. I give you all the thumbs up because I know language is tough. Japanese in college was so fast compared to German in HS. I know it's hard when focus is spread out. Teaching college students you see burn out at that level too. Give yourself but hugs. God bless you sweetheart. Jesus loves you ❤

[@marissaatherton]

I’m sorry you’re feeling so conflicted about sharing what you’re actually thinking and going through. I don’t think you *have* to share personal things or struggles if you don’t want to…but at the same time, you should get to feel comfortable sharing what you want without worrying about negative feedback! I found your channel when you did the girls night Q&A collab with your sister, and I’ve had such a fun time watching your videos! I also love every time you wear your “most ardently” sweatshirt because I have the same one and I love it so much. ❤

[@recurringcharacters2797]

I'm sorry you have been dealing with negative comments. I hope people can realize that no one has perfect days every day, no matter how happy they are to be in a certain location/circumstances/at a certain job etc. Even if you are facing some struggles at language school I hope you are proud that you have worked hard to be there! I hope you will feel more peaceful & at ease. 🤍

[@paulwalther5237]

Your friend is so right. Why is it so hard for people to speak their native language to English speakers??? This is a big pet peeve of mine. If I met a Japanese lady in the US and she didn’t speak English and we started dating and I knew her intention was to live in the US I would speak lots of English with her. English is super important if you plan to live in the US. Vice versa for Korea. But what you described is the norm.

[@eprohoda]

Cherie~good night. cool ! 📢

[@madst101]

I feel you on burn out… I work full time but am preparing for TOPIK2 again and taking KIIP5 at the same time lol

[@thingsilike4080]

People will always find a reason to complain or to just be miserable and social media has made it so easy for them to just drop a comment and say things they wouldn't normally tell that person to their face. Also I think living in Korea has been romanticised so much on KZbin and Instagram that people who don't even live there feel like anything "negative" that's talked about by someone who actually lives there attacks this fairy wonderland and the expectations connected to it. Of course you're super lucky to be where you are but it's not your home country, it's a whole different world compared to the US (and Europe, where I live). You're away from your family, you need to "survive" :D on your own and all that on top of doing language school full-time. It's a lot, and it can't always be happy happy sunshine and rainbows. People really need to understand that this is real life and not just pretty pictures on a social media app. So... yeah, please don't lose your joy and happiness of doing KZbin, you're doing a GREAT job on here and you're the sweetest human being 💖

[@youngh7447]

Cheer up, Cherie

[@ashleopio]

I really like your videos so hopefully you're just stressed about school and any little annoyance feels extra heavy (ive been there, its an understandable way to feel). But also dont be afraid to delete comments you dont like, it's your comment section, ur da queen~ and regarding you barely passing....since you said all ur classmates did poorly it seems like there was an issue with the way the class was taught which sucks. I remember in high school in one of my math classes the teacher got frustrated and yelled at us saying the average grade was almost failing (when it was an advanced class and all the kids had A's & B's in literally every other class....)...like if ALL the students are doing bad its a course/teacher issue not a student issue. But yeah don't beat urself up about it too much, its a flaw in the school system that happens sometimes that is probably frustrating on all ends so just power thru the rest of ur semester and enjoy ur break :D hope you feel better soon girlie~

[@raijaynehearse]

I know it's pointless for me to say as I am not a youtuber and don't know how hard it is for you, but I really wish that you could just be honest in your videos and not worry so much about what other people think. Your subscribers all love you for who you are.

[@RebeccaH43]

Outside influences could be distracting you? You are definitely not dumb.. don't think that, you made it there you have been thriving for the most part 🤔 that is something to be proud of ☺️ You are doing great, school is there to teach you 😺 One day at a time, one step at a time, one moment at a time and one second at a time 😀 that's all you can do. Just do your best, really give yourself a break to rest. A day to yourself is a great way to reset your batteries, no thinking about school or anything else. Just go sit by the ocean, listen to the waves and let them carry your burdens away 😊 it really will be ok.. You can do it, I believe in you 💖

[@RebeccaH43]

Hello again, it's been awhile 🤷🏻‍♀️ I hope you are doing well and taking good care of yourself.

[@nurkamiliailyana]

I understand your struggle. As a beginner, idk if i should feel this but i slowly feel less motivated to learn korean as the level is getting harder & i feel the "slump" . Like i feel so dumb but still want to do better. I just take a break for a while and do it again. It's not recommended but definitely help me feel better about learn korean & get back on track. Sometime I forgot that i've experiance the same thing with english (as a non native english speaker). I forgot that learn a language need years of effort & practice (and patience). I meant, it's okay to feel overwhelming. It's a journey We are all human, we have feelings & we can't just ignore it. Just because you've done youtube for a long time does'nt mean that you should'nt feel stressfull about the views & comments. We all have our own struggle You've made it so far! Your hardwork will definitely paid off 화이팅!! 힘내새요!

[@Truecrimeresearcher224]

its odd your instagram is there but it isnt. i cant see it when im logg in but when i go though the youutube app and it opens in a browser it shows up. ive been following for a long time and thought you were taking a break which is why i didnt see updates in there

[@RebeccaH43]

Japan is a place I would visit before Korea 😊

[@corgisrule21]

It’s hard when you have to study vocab that isn’t interesting to you…that makes it harder for me and makes me question life 😂 Every time I think “yeah, I’m starting to get this!” something pops up and I wonder why I’m even trying lol😂. Misery does love company though, so it’s nice to know you’re not alone at least lol About the haters…it’s easier said than done (I KNOW), but even though you’re living my dream I know that in reality, even without KZbin, there would be hard times. You can get 100 positive comments, but those one or two (or whatever smaller number) of nasty comments are what you’ll remember. You’re human. Doing youtube and school is way harder than youtube and working. Work ends. School doesn’t…it’s not the classes that keep you busy, it’s the studying outside of class. 😮‍💨 Just do what makes you happy. If that’s one video every other month, then fine. If it’s no videos for awhile and just Insta updates sometimes, that’s fine. Take care of yourself. :)

[@jinkim2339]

I think u need more of 'Using Korean session' than 'Learning Korean session.'

[@paulwalther5237]

I hate the way the TOPIK tests all the levels at once. When I studied Japanese which doesn’t do this I thought the opposite. I thought it would be nice not to have to choose which level test to take especially because you have your sign up in advance. But I’ve changed my thinking a lot. I hate being tested on material that I already know is beyond me and just wastes my time and energy. It’s huge burnout waiting to happen. And getting study material is a huge pain too because the books are just TOPIK I or II so I feel like I need to learn all the crazy advanced Korean at the same time as the low intermediate level stuff. So frustrating. I did find a low intermediate textbook that looks promising recommended by a KZbinr. The series divides TOPIK from 1-6. It should arrive tomorrow so there’s hope. No language school for me so I’m learning slower than you. 😂

[@paulwalther5237]

Congratulations on getting to level 4 🎉. That’s awesome that you killled level 3. Asians have a huge leg up over you regarding vocabulary. Imagine if you were studying Spanish. All the less common words you would get for free. I took an italki lesson in Spanish a little while ago and the tutor used a word that really no low intermediate Spanish speaker should know: Eclipse solar. But it’s just solar eclipse. It’s the same as English but with a small pronunciation difference. That’s what it’s like for Asians to learn Korean. Their struggle is a lot less than yours. This journey is a marathon and not a race. As frustrating as that is. You’ll get the vocabulary words eventually if you’re patient but maybe not when you graduate this course. As long as you learn all the grammar like everyone else you’re doing great. The vocabulary will come later. I use a couple apps to help me with vocabulary: Anki and Flashcards Deluxe. Obviously there’s more like Memrise. They help brute force vocabulary some but just a bit. Hang in there.

[@vintagelace7076]

There are always gonna be negative people..ignore them..true people get you forget the rest..dont make other people's opinions your truth

[@FlameAndBlade]

It's so upsetting to hear you calling yourself dumb! Your mindset is so important for learning and retention, and even just shifting the language away from the word "dumb" is so incredibly important. It implies what's called a "fixed mindset," as though you're telling yourself it's set in your DNA, that you're just below people, when really it's just personal circumstance and opportunity for growth. Please try to be understanding of your mental health and be careful about comparing yourself to peers

[@abigailburris9560]

Do you have a job while also being a student? How do you afford to live? I know you used to be an English teacher, so I was curious how you are making ends meet currently as a student :)

[@j.kimmer1509]

:)

[@2oqp577]

It's like that; when you start, especially with the level of speciality subject you make your video around, your audience is quite specialized, and get you and your experience. As your channel grows, you will start to get people that aren't as 'passionate' as we are. It's ok, it's great in fact. But, your average viewers will be less and less involved into your experience compared to the subscribers. Feel less close to you and then these comments will start to pop-up.

[@RebeccaH43]

I tried to find you on Instagram and can't 🤷🏻‍♀️ Probably sent to many videos about God :) Judgement is a reflection of the person judging..

[@ekaterini2957]

practice with your BF -- tell him no English :)

[@henryparka3718]

There's probably a distinction between criticism from people outside of Korea and from people who live in Korea. People from outside who are interested in Korean culture and dream of moving there one day think you're just being a 'buzzkill'. Considering that their excitement for the country is why they watch your videos in the first place. They might think that you're in a very privileged position to be living 'their' dream already, so why is she being so 'nitpicky' and 'ungrateful'? Especially for viewers who are in situations where the possibility of going to Korea might be zero. For people who are from Korea it might have to do with the fact that your stay in Korea seems temporary. Even if you string along a couple of years, you didn't grow up there, haven't lived life like somebody who was born there and you will probably return to your country one day. The notion that somebody comes to your "home" and says anything negative in public can be perceived as rude. How many videos did you make about everything wrong in your home country? It often seems that people who travel or move to another country only then suddenly feel the need to start social media and make grievances about daily life about that place. That being said: Your videos are also partly personal diary where you want to express what's bothering you at the moment without being perceived as making some grand intercultural comparison or statement. Your deep interest in Korea is obviously why you're there in the first place and why you're studying hard to learn the language. Your commitment to not only trying to understand Korean culture better and but also its people better should always remind critics that this whole journey started with you falling in love with this small country on the other side of the world and making a leap of faith to move there away from family and friends. If that in itself isn't evidence enough how much you care about Korea, I don't know what is.

[@Hannas-]

"It often seems that people who travel or move to another country only then suddenly feel the need to start social media and make grievances about daily life about that place." well of course. no one wants to make boring videos about where they've lived all their life. and they're called travel vloggers for a reason.

[@henryparka3718]

@@Hannas- Based on your comment it seems you failed to grasp the topic of the day. It’s about criticism of life in a foreign culture. If you go to another country with its own history and therefore its own set of challenges and start criticising things that are about daily life publicly on social media while not being a long-term resident yourself or without any other meaningful connection to the place, people will question why you haven’t been so opinionated about your own home country. I certainly hope that person has a better answer than your “No one wants to make boring videos about where they’ve lived all their life.”. First of all, your concern about “boring” videos already undermines the earnest nature of your criticism. And it shows the mental state of people like yourself who think going to another country is like visiting a theme park instead of seeing it as somebody’s home. Secondly, if you criticise a place you just arrived at as a tourist because you think it makes for more interesting videos for your KZbin channel, you’re being obnoxious and I would completely understand why people decide to come after you.