Jo Se-rin Becomes First Foreign Gayageum Sanjo Certified Artist

On the latest episode of tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' (유 퀴즈 온 더 블럭), Jo Se-rin made headlines as the first foreigner to receive certification in Gayageum Sanjo, a traditional Korean music genre. During the show, host Yoo Jae-suk asked Jo about her journey to Korea, to which she replied, "I came to Korea in 1992 during President Roh Tae-woo's administration. I've been living here since 2008, marking 17 years of residence."

Jo Se-rin surprised viewers by revealing her proficiency in five languages: English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and German. Yoo Jae-suk congratulated her on becoming the first foreigner to pass the Gayageum Sanjo certification exam, to which Jo expressed her initial disbelief, stating, "I didn't know I would be able to take the exam. Until recently, foreigners were not allowed to take it, but it was finally permitted, and I wanted to be recognized. It was quite an experience."

Remarkably, Jo passed the exam, which many Korean students struggle with, after over a decade of training. She shared, "I wanted to prove that I could produce the right sounds on the Gayageum and be acknowledged for my skills. The exam felt as intimidating as a Harvard PhD test. I've been practicing for 33 years and memorized 120 pages of sheet music."

To hone her skills, Jo traveled between Seoul and Jeonju every weekend for lessons. She recounted her routine: "I would stay in Jeonju on Sunday nights, wake up early to prepare breakfast for my teacher, and practice Gayageum from Sunday to Monday morning. Then, I would quickly change into my professor's attire and head back to Seoul. I practiced every day for 15 years."

On the day of the exam, Jo's hard work paid off as she passed on her first attempt. She recalled the moment she received the news: "After a week of waiting, I was hiking when my teacher called to say, 'Se-rin, you did it.' I felt so happy. The professors I was hiking with started to cry, and I couldn't help but tear up as well. I realized how much I had studied."

Jo Se-rin's achievement marks a significant milestone in the world of traditional Korean music, showcasing the dedication and passion of a foreign artist in mastering a cultural art form.