Chloe San Jose Just Finished A Course At One Of Korea's Top Universities And Told Us All About It

Most people watch K-dramas. Chloe San Jose lived one, trading binge-watching for real-life scenes in Seoul as she completed a short Korean language course at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea.

Chloe shared the milestone on her Instagram with photos of herself in a red-and-black toga. "First beautiful plot twist of 2026: lived in Seoul as an international student and attended one of the top universities in Korea," she wrote, describing the experience as a memorable way to start the year. Fans were quick to send their congratulations, with many praising her for pursuing her studies while continuing her busy schedule.

ICYDK, Korea University is one of South Korea's most prestigious institutions and part of the elite "SKY" universities, alongside Seoul National University and Yonsei University. While the course was brief, the program allowed her to formally study a language she had already been familiar with at a conversational level.

In an exclusive chat with Cosmopolitan Philippines, Chloe shared that her decision to study in Seoul was driven by a desire to challenge herself. "I initially already knew how to speak a little bit of Hangul—not fluently—so I wanted to push myself in a real way and learn it formally," she explained.

Being back in South Korea, her favorite country, was part of the motivation, too. "Seoul just always feels exciting, fast, and full of so many fun things to do, and Korea University was one of those experiences."

Studying alongside international students from around the world made the whole experience feel even more exciting. "Learning Hangul was definitely humbling but so much fun," Chloe admitted. "I went from confidently expressing myself to carefully rehearsing sentences in my head before speaking." Still, those small moments of progress made everyday life in Seoul feel fuller and more rewarding.

And because every good K-drama needs a solid male lead, Chloe had hers with her the whole time. She spent the trip with longtime partner and Filipino Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Yulo, who didn't just cheer her on—he studied with her, too. (So cute thinking of our February 2025 cover stars studying together!)

"He would sit down and learn Hangul himself," Chloe shared. "I feel more driven, and it's more fun when someone's learning with me." Between café hopping, late-night walks, and simply slowing down together, the couple made the most of the rare pause from their fast-paced Manila lives.

Looking back, Chloe says her time in Seoul was about more than academics. It was for herself, too.

"It wasn't just about studying at Korea University or learning a new language," she reflected. "It was about choosing growth, independence, and curiosity, even when things felt unfamiliar." She added that the experience left her with more confidence and a deeper appreciation for taking things one day at a time—lessons she plans to carry with her moving forward.

In case you're curious, Korea University's Korean Language Center offers a full Korean language experience through its Regular Program, which runs four 10-week semesters a year. Classes are held Monday to Friday for about four hours a day, covering speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Tuition is at KRW 1,800,000 (around P72,700) per semester, with a KRW 120,000 (around P4,850) non-refundable admission fee, plus extra for teaching materials.

For those who can't make it to Seoul, there's a real-time online program with weekend classes via Zoom for learners who can already read and write Korean. Tuition is KRW 400,000 (around P16,150), including the KRW 60,000 (around P2,420) admission fee, and that also covers class materials and recordings, so you get everything you need without missing a beat.

For more complete details on these programs, you can visit Korea University's Korean Language Center official website.