asianbeat, Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary! Wow, 10 years already! Has it really been 10 years? I just can't believe Time has passed so quickly!. The great moments that I have experienced until now because of asianbeat flash before me like a slideshow.

The city of Fukuoka has a special place in my heart. Specifically, it was through asianbeat that I got to know more about Fukuoka, and through Fukuoka that I came to have a more comprehensive understanding of Japanese culture. Not only this,　but I also came into contact with the cultures and local news of various Asian countries, and felt that I cultivated a closer relationship to Asia.

3 years after asianbeat was founded, “Asian Youth Cultural Ambassadors” were selected as representatives of various Asian cities (Seoul, Busan, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong and Bangkok) to assemble in Fukuoka and spend time engaged in exchange with one another and participate in various events. Music festivals have no language barriers and through events such as “Sunset Live” and “Music City Tenjin,” we enjoyed experiences that we will never forget. I was able to engage with musicians from various different cities, and to the best of my ability I played a role in helping things run smoothly by promoting and coordinating with the people and organization involved.

For me, the friends that I served together with as ambassadors at that time, such as Robin from Hong Kong, Ted from Bangkok and Alan from Taipei, are real treasures whom I still keep in touch with even today. If I go to one of these cities it is reassuring to know that I will always have a friend there. Thanks to asianbeat, I have had the driving force to grow as a coordinator, connecting countries and regions throughout Asia, not just between Korea and Japan.

I thought I knew about Japanese culture to some extent, but through the asianbeat website, I have come into contact with many aspects of Japanese culture, such as foods, music, fashion, the history and culture behind manga, the world of otaku and cosplay, and learnt a great deal. It was refreshing and interesting to know how many aspects of pop culture are shared throughout Asia, and also the extent to which these features have also been localized. I personally like the web page “FUKUOKA CAFÉ TRIP*”that provides information about Fukuoka's newest cafés. (*“FUKUOKA CAFÉ TRIP” is available on the asianbeat Korean and Chinese (simplified/traditional) website.)

I hope that asianbeat, taking the lead from Fukuoka can continue to serve as a place where Asian people can exchange information about topics that they have a shared interest in. I will also strive to pass on all the latest information from Seoul.

asianbeat, Way to go! And finally once again I want to congratulate you on your 10 year anniversary!

Unforgettable memories with other ambassadors.