Recipient of Woori Multicultural Scholarship Foundation grateful for friendship, training

Lim Ji-hye / Courtesy of Woori Financial Group

Lim Ji-hye, a recipient of the Woori Multicultural Scholarship Foundation, said Wednesday that she enjoyed being part of the choir activities organized by the public-interest foundation under Woori Financial Group.

Participating in the choir was a truly enjoyable experience, she said.

“I loved being able to sing and spend quality time with friends who share a similar background as me. At first, it was a bit awkward since we didn’t know each other well, but through practice and shared experiences, we became close and supportive of one another.”

Performing on stage gave her a sense of confidence that went beyond singing, she added. “It helped me develop a positive mindset of ‘I can do it’ in everyday life as well. I’m glad I could be a part of the choir.”

Being in the choir and performing on various stages has been an incredibly rewarding experience for her.

"Singing and doing choreography in front of many people taught me how to be more confident. I also learned how to stay calm when I feel nervous. Because of this, when I have to give a presentation at school or speak in front of a large crowd in the future, I think I will be able to do it calmly and show my abilities thanks to what I learned in the choir."

Some older choir members made appearances on SBS singing auditions, preparing for debuts, which she believes was admirable.

“My goal isn’t necessarily to become a celebrity, but their efforts and commitment inspire me to work harder and continue improving my singing skills. The choir experience has been both meaningful and motivating,” she said.

Lim is one of many members of the Woori Multicultural Children’s Choir, which was founded in 2012 by the foundation to support multicultural families.

The foundation selects about 50 children with multicultural backgrounds each year, offering professional instruction twice a week and performance opportunities to nurture musical talents and social skills.

The choir is invited annually to major government ceremonies hosted by the foreign, justice and interior ministries.

Beyond the choir, the foundation provides support programs, including scholarships, educational programs and mentoring for multicultural students.

A foundation representative stated, “The Woori Multicultural Scholarship Foundation is committed to discovering and nurturing the talents of children from multicultural families so they can grow into the key leaders of our country."

Meanwhile, many of the choir members appeared on entertainment shows, with some of them developing major careers in the K-pop industry.

Two members, Lee Ji-hoon, and Jeremy Ochuba, made appearances on "Our Ballad," a singing competition broadcast by SBS in October.

Other success stories include Huening Kai of TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Huening Bahiyyih of Kep1er, Jung Ria of I.MET.U, actor and former model Lee Soo-hyung and music composer Lee Haneuri.