The Bhojpuri language, native to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, is experiencing a surge in global popularity. Previously associated with rural settings and folk music, Bhojpuri is now recognized on an international scale. This is highlighted by a recent viral video featuring South Korean content creator Yechan C. Lee.
In the video, Lee teaches Korean children basic Bhojpuri phrases. The children demonstrate enthusiasm and actively participate in the language learning process. Lee instructs them on greetings and farewells. For example, they learn to say ‘Ka ho’ when meeting someone for the first time, ‘Ka haal ba’ for subsequent encounters, and respond with ‘Thik ba’ to inquiries about their well-being. He stresses the importance of using ‘Khush raho’ when saying goodbye.
The video was posted on the Instagram account ’40kahani,’ which has over 300,000 followers. In the video’s caption, Lee describes the experience of teaching Bhojpuri to Korean children as special. He views this video as part of his journey as a YouTube creator, where he shares his culture and highlights the diversity of languages. The video has received over 800,000 views and continues to be popular on social media.
Comments on the video reflect a positive response from viewers. Many have found the video heartwarming, with some noting Bhojpuri’s growing international presence. One user humorously commented that the trend of learning Bhojpuri mirrors the experience of learning English. Others celebrate the spread of Indian languages around the world.
Yechan C. Lee identifies as Korean, while also having proficiency in Bhojpuri, which sometimes leads to him being mistaken as someone from Bihar. Lee spent his childhood in Patna, Bihar, where he completed his education through the 12th grade. The video serves as an indicator that Bhojpuri is expanding its reach beyond its regional roots, gaining recognition as a globally appealing language, thereby promoting Indian culture and languages worldwide.