These friendly words ring out not in Seoul but from cheerful fruit sellers at D’Walai Haruman in Anjung Kinabalu – previously known as the Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market – where mango stalls display price tags and signs in Hangul, the native alphabet of the Korean language, drawing the attention of visitors.
Amidst the buzz is a heartwarming story of local youths determined to learn Korean, all to provide their customers with the best possible experience.
Among them is 21-year-old Fauzi Radan, whose fluency in speaking, reading and writing Hangul is the result of four years of personal dedication, not formal lessons.
“Many Korean tourists come here to buy fruit, so I’ve been picking up their language slowly. I first started conversing with a friend from Korea, and over time it just became natural,” he told Bernama.
The Kota Kinabalu native said being able to speak the language not only makes trading easier but also turns his family’s 25-year-old stall into a popular spot among Korean tourists.
“Being able to speak their language makes them feel more comfortable and appreciated. They correct me if I say anything wrong, and that helps me learn more,” said Fauzi, who has been helping his family sell fruits over the past four years.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Muhammad Zaidi Gapul has also mastered Korean, learning the language via social media to help sell mangoes at his family’s stall.
“I started learning from TikTok when I was 12. It was difficult at first, but over time I got the hang of it,” he said, adding that he has been helping his family run the business for the past year.
Being able to speak Korean gives the teenager a big advantage when dealing with foreign customers who enjoy interacting with local traders.
“If we don’t speak Korean, it’s hard for them to understand us. But speaking their language makes them feel more comfortable and friendly,” he added.
One Korean tourist, Andrew Lee, said he appreciated the warm and genuine effort of the local fruit sellers in learning his native language.
“It’s really nice when the sellers speak Korean. It makes us feel more connected, almost as if we were back home but surrounded by tropical warmth and friendly smiles,” the 55-year-old said.
“This is my seventh time coming to Kota Kinabalu. Usually, I come alone but this time I’m here with my wife and son. We love buying local fruits here because they’re fresh and so delicious,” he added.