Life
'Life is short, and this world is truly beautiful'
"Busan Worldwide" is one of the programs aired by BeFM, Busan English Broadcasting. The show covers a wide range of news and information from Korea and around the world. Each topic is of interest to Busan residents, locals and foreigners alike. The one-hour show airs at 11:05 a.m. Monday to Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Show host Stephanie Yoon introduces listeners to the hottest topics of the day, and does so masterfully in both English and Korean. During the main segment of the show, "The Interview," Ms. Yoon sits down with Busanites from all walks of life, including journalists, marine police, film directors, government officials, artists, writers, startup CEOs, and even the mayor of Busan.
Thankfully, Ms. Yoon was gracious enough to switch sides and sit down for an interview with B.i.G.
BeFM host Stephanie Yoon brings Busanites news from around the city, country and world.
Q. Greetings! Please tell us about yourself.
A. Hello! I'm Stephanie Yoon. I host "Busan Worldwide" and "BeFM School Reporters." "Busan Worldwide" airs live every day from Monday through Saturday, 11:05 a.m. to 12 p.m. "BeFM School Reporters" airs on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Q. May I ask, what's your connection with Busan?
A. My entire father's side of the family is from Busan. While I lived in Arizona, USA for the majority of my life, I took a six-month vacation to visit my family in Busan four years ago, and I absolutely fell in love with the city. Coming from the desert where cacti and scorpions are the norm, Busan's blue backdrop was a breath of fresh air, quite literally!
I ended up finding a job here, got married, and now I spend my weekends enjoying activities like surfing, paddle boarding, and swimming at the beach with my husband. Busan has truly been a blessing to me.
Q. Could you introduce us to BeFM?
A. Certainly! BeFM is the exclusive English radio station in Busan. It is a hub for both expats in the country and Koreans who have a love for English to gather, communicate with us, share ideas and learn.
Q. Could you tell us about your program, "Busan Worldwide"?
A. "Busan Worldwide" is a fantastic show, and I say that not only because I'm the host. The program kicks off with local news from Busan, followed by interviews with experts, heads of various organizations, and businesses in the Busan region. In the latter half of the show, we broaden our perspective to the global stage, aligning with the name of the show "Busan Worldwide." We connect with correspondents worldwide to bring our listeners the latest news from different countries.
The highlight of the show is "The Interview" segment. Meeting different guests from Busan every day is an incredible experience. It's easily my favorite part of hosting "Busan Worldwide." I get to engage with people who are deeply passionate about various aspects of Busan. I often say that I love Busan, and I truly believe that hosting this show and sharing stories of these amazing Busanites with our listeners reaffirms my love for this city every day.
Q. May I ask what are your future plans as a BeFM host?
A. As I mentioned earlier, interacting with diverse individuals on a daily basis for the show is a privilege. In the future, I hope to continue highlighting the amazing stories and talents of people from Busan.
Q. Do you have any tips for BeFM newbies?
A. Absolutely. To tune in, you can simply access BeFM through frequencies 90.5 or 103.3, or via our website or app.
Also, you can explore BeFM's YouTube channel by searching "BeFM" or "부산영어방송." All our live shows, including "Busan Worldwide," are streamed live Monday through Friday. It's a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of the studio and observe the hosts and guests in action behind the microphone.
If you are new to English radio, I'd like to suggest a program called "The 4pm Duo." You can catch it every day between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. This "edutainment" show features two hosts who speak both Korean and English, making it an ideal choice for both learning and entertainment. It's a fantastic opportunity to work on your Korean and English skills in an enjoyable manner. Give it a listen!
Q. Is there anything more you want to say?
A. For newcomers to Busan or those looking to connect within the foreign community, I hope BeFM can provide a sense of home away from home. And if you're a local Busan resident, I encourage you to explore Busan as if you were a tourist. Sometimes, we become accustomed to our surroundings and take things for granted.
However, Busan has so much to offer. I hope you take advantage of the festivals, programs, and events in Busan and live life to the fullest. Remember, life is short, and this world is truly beautiful.
BeFM Website: befm.or.kr