The Bhojpuri language, originating from the regions of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India, is experiencing a surge in global recognition. Once primarily associated with rural communities and folk music, Bhojpuri is now garnering attention internationally. This has been highlighted by the recent viral video featuring South Korean content creator Yechan C. Lee.
The video showcases Lee teaching Bhojpuri to Korean children. The children are visibly engaged and enthusiastic, attempting to speak the language with joy. Lee instructs the children on basic greetings and farewells in Bhojpuri. He teaches them that upon a first meeting, one should say ‘Ka ho,’ and upon subsequent meetings, ‘Ka haal ba.’ The response to an inquiry about well-being should be ‘Thik ba,’ and a heartfelt ‘Khush raho’ is recommended at farewell.
The video, shared on Instagram by the account ’40kahani,’ has amassed over 300,000 followers. In the caption, Lee describes the experience as special, being able to introduce Bhojpuri to Korean children. He presents this video as part of his journey as a YouTube creator, aiming to share his culture and highlight linguistic diversity. The video has received over 800,000 views and continues to trend across social media platforms.
Viewers have responded positively, with comments expressing appreciation for the heartwarming content. One user noted that Bhojpuri is gaining popularity abroad. Another user humorously remarked that foreigners are now learning Bhojpuri, mirroring the experience of learning English. Others have celebrated the spread of Indian languages to other parts of the world.
Yechan C. Lee clarifies that though he is Korean, he speaks Bhojpuri fluently, with some even mistaking him for someone from Bihar. Lee spent his childhood in Patna, Bihar, completing his education there up to the 12th grade. The video serves as evidence that Bhojpuri is evolving beyond its regional roots, as the world embraces Indian languages and culture.