Soompi [숨피]: your go-to news platform for all things Hallyu.
We all go through moments in our lives that affect us in many ways. Some of these moments’ impact is so tangible, you can only swear by them all year long.
Today, I’m going to share with you my story as a Features Writer for Soompi.
Introducing Soompi
Soompi is the world’s largest and longest-running English online media providing complete coverage of Korean pop culture. The platform was launched on March 27, 1998 when a K-pop fan named Soomp created what was originally a H.O.T. fansite, that later grew to become the Soompi we all know and love.
To this day, Soompi is K-pop fans’ first choice as a reliable source that brings us the latest Hallyu news. Recently, the veteran website celebrated its 20th anniversary.
My Journey with Soompi
In early 2016, I developed an interest in Hallyu. To stay in the loop with the Korean wave, Soompi was my informational weapon of choice.
On November 2, I was racing against time to finish proofreading my dental thesis in order to graduate in December. That’s when a Twitter notification popped on my phone, indicating that Soompi was hiring Features Writers.
The first reflex I had was to throw my thesis draft, pick up my computer and start working on my resume and cover letter. I reconnected with my passion for writing back in 2015, and combining it with my passion for Hallyu was truly an epiphany.
A few months later in early 2017, and after losing hope of being chosen, I got an email telling me that I made it to the next step of the hiring process. A week later, I was scheduled for a Skype interview, and on April 7, my very first article saw the light of day.
The Epitome of 2017
My position as a Features Writer has been a truly rewarding experience, and the sense of accomplishment that came with it has been humbly accompanying me for the past year.
Every time one of my articles was published, I literally felt a piece of my soul regenerate. No matter how many hardships came my way, the tweet bearing my next article was all I needed to chase away the negativity and welcome it with open clicks.
Yet, my most memorable one had to be my contact renewal, of which I was notified a week before a scheduled surgery. Being at my weakest quickly shifted to being at my strongest, because I always chose to look at the greener side of the fence.
Furthermore, I had the best support system I could ever ask for:
- My precious Hallyu squad, who always vouched for me ever since I posted my first awkward lyrics.
- My two bestfriends, who always encouraged me to be the writer I was meant to be.
- My family, who graciously celebrated my first anniversary with me today through a small family gathering that I unfortunately couldn’t have during my graduation day.
Soompi Perks
As if what I mentioned above didn’t make me feel blissful enough, I was blessed with a lot of outstanding events throughout my writing journey.
Epik achievements
One of my most cherished articles was a piece I wrote about Tablo, my spiritual mentor and role model, which resulted in him reading it and giving me a shoutout.
This wonderful gesture happened around 3AM, and my brain refused to go back to sleep afterwards. Plus, my phone was blowing up with congratulatory messages that lasted all day long.
This was literally a dream come true, because I have always wanted to have Tablo read my work. Perhaps next time, it’ll be a lyrics draft. *Wishful thinking*
ARMY duty
Being a hardcore fan of BTS, it goes without saying that featuring the band as well as every single BTS member in various articles was on my bucket list.
Most of my ideas were inspired by them, and I’m thankful they were approved. Today, I woke up to my first published BTS-centered article, a personality quiz, thus fulfilling my duty as a fervent ARMY.
Leaving my comfort zone
Aside from the usual features I write, I tried to challenge myself and attempt different content. In doing so, I got to try quizzes, a memey article, a couple of articles for Soompi awards and year-end reviews, and a feature for PyeongChang Olympics that I am very proud of.
Recently, I wrote a feature in celebration of Soompi’s 20th anniversary, which was truly an honor to partake in.
Discovering new colors
In order to come up with quality content, I did a lot of research and discovered a lot of hidden gems while doing so. Plus, I wrote about a lot of talented idols and hip hop artists, who blew my mind away with their music every time I got to know them a little bit more.
Soompi Stats
As of today, I have written over 35 articles that received a total of 396K shares, 30K interactions, and 1413 comments.
While numbers cannot measure the immense feeling of pride I’m experiencing at the moment, I am eternally grateful for all the feedback I have received so far: the good remarks made me grow, and the not-so-good ones made me reflect.
What Soompi has taught me
Every passing day is an opportunity to learn something new, and Soompi has definitely taught me a lot. Some of the lessons I have received throughout the passing year include but are not limited to:
- Challenging myself and exploring my potential to improve myself as a writer.
- Learning to be as objective as possible in my writings.
- Appreciating all sorts of talent and getting to know a lot of incredible artists that dominate the different musical genres.
Future Goals
If there is anything I firmly believe in, it’s the fact that you can grow to be a better version of yourself every single day. With that in mind, I hope that I will engage in the K-drama world and write pieces that will be to the liking of Soompiers around the world in the near future.
My name is Esmee, I’m a Moroccan lively dreamer, writer, and Hallyu enthusiast. I’m a healer on occasion, and today I’m blowing my first candle as a Soompi writer.
That’s all for today! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, and stay tuned for more Hallyu gems. Until I see you next time, thank you for reading me.
June 2, 2018 at 4:35 PM
I want to become a writer like you too, but i am very dishearted right now and do not know what to do.
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June 14, 2018 at 10:57 AM
There is a first time for everything, give it a try and you might find your path 🙂 Fighting!
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June 12, 2018 at 4:45 AM
How is the payment? I am interested to be one too but i dont think i could juggle between study and work yet. But your experience makes me inspired again.
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June 14, 2018 at 11:05 AM
It’s a freelance job so your time is usually flexible, but it still takes a great amount of dedication to fully deliver on a regular basis. The pay is decent, but I personally enjoy what I do so the salary was never the reason why I applied. I’m glad you found inspiration in my experience, and I hope you’ll find your calling as well 🙂
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July 2, 2018 at 6:13 PM
I really want to write for Soompi too! I emailed them twice this year when they were accepting applications but I didn’t hear from them! I’ve written in the Community section thrice and they have been featured too. I’m not sure why I didn’t hear back even though I followed the guidelines. I don’t live or speak much Korean, is that why? (the job didn’t say knowing Korean was a necessity). Do you know what I can do or reach out to them?
Anyway, I enjoyed reading your article and I could relate to the way you wrote about your happiness when it was published. Ah, that bliss. Keep writing! 🙂
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July 7, 2018 at 5:38 PM
Hi Akshita,
I don’t know much about the hiring process other than what I’ve personally been through, so I can’t really answer your question. But I think they will email you with an answer either way. I hope you get good news.
Thank you so much for your kind words, I truly appreciate it ❤
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July 26, 2018 at 10:16 AM
hey, thanks for replying. well they didn’t answer me yet, still waiting. but thank you for your kind words!! i hope i do make it and all the best for whatever you’re doing now. are you done with your dental studies?
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August 5, 2018 at 11:31 AM
Hii, thank you Akshita! Yes, I graduated a while back 🙂
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November 15, 2018 at 5:59 AM
I’m sorry for disturbing you again and again. I got an email saying they had already filled the position. But i recently checked their jobs page which showed two vacant positions. I want to apply again, but I want to make sure that my application is perfect. Can i send it to you?
I know it’s asking a lot, but you’re the only person I know to ask.
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December 4, 2018 at 10:54 AM
Hi Akshita,
Do send 🙂
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August 4, 2018 at 8:22 AM
Hello! Thank you for this article. I’m also interested in writing for Soompi. May I know more details of your job? Do you get paid per click or per article posted? Are there weekly quotas? And as for the compensation, is it decent enough to make it into a full-time job? Hope you answer my questions, it would really help me a lot
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August 5, 2018 at 11:38 AM
Hello Cloe, kindly check your email 🙂
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February 29, 2020 at 5:41 AM
Hi Esmee, what you wrote really helped me understand how Soompi works. I was actually planning to apply for the post too. I have already some articles of mine featured on the community page and that’s been my major confidence boost to take this step further. I would also like to know your reply to Cloe’s questions and I have my CV and cover letter ready too. Can you please review it for me as well?
Hope to hear from you soon ^-^
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February 29, 2020 at 6:35 AM
Hi Akhila,
I’m glad to hear that my content helped. Please contact me via the blog’s contact form so I can reply to your query. Thank you 🙂
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August 25, 2018 at 3:25 PM
Hi Esmee, I’m sorry to disturb you again, but I really need help.
I’m really confused. Every time there’s an opening for Features Writer I email them but they don’t reply. There’s a possibility that since they get a lot of openings they don’t see it or I take it that I have been rejected.
Once I wrote to them an internship request when there weren’t any positions and they emailed me to check the Jobs page and apply when there was an opening.
I know all of this is coming off as really desperate but as a student I need a job that can pay me a bit even if it’s meagre and for me Soompi is a great option and I want to work there (they have openings as of now, and yes I applied almost a month back as soon as they opened)
Is there any other way I can reach them? Or any thing else I can do?
Thank you a lot!
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August 26, 2018 at 10:13 PM
Hello Akshita,
I am sorry for not being of any help, but I really don’t know what to tell you. There is a possibility that you will be contacted in the future if you get picked. However, I don’t know if they send rejection letters or not, so I can’t confirm any of this. I have no idea how the HR department operates, so I can’t tell you how they process things.
My advice to you is to be patient. I hope that you get good news soon!
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September 15, 2018 at 11:45 PM
Hi Esmee,
I recently came to terms with myself and decided to forgo my dreams of becoming a doctor. I withdrew my application and now I’m really lost in life. I graduated college mid 2017 and shortly thereafter I developed interest in Hallyu towards the end of 2017. I haven’t found anything else I am really passionate about so the Features Writer position seems like a nice option, although I am pretty sure it’s competitive. I do not have a background in writing although any assignment I had in college that required me to write I loved doing. Also slightly worried about the pay, but starting off I wouldn’t mind since being on top of Hallyu content is actually something that makes me happy. Would you be able to provide more detail of how the payment goes and perhaps how you’re able to make a living off of it? I’m just curious if this is the only job you do or if you do something else as well. I am kind of lost and worried I won’t find anything of interest that will help me reach my potential so I hope there’s an opportunity to write about Kpop, Hallyu, etc.
Thank you in advance,
V (Coincidentally this is also my nickname)
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September 18, 2018 at 12:03 PM
Hi V, (love the nickname!)
Thank you for contacting me. Can you provide me with your email? or just send me a message via the contact page to keep yours confidential. I believe it’s best if we have this conversation in private.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Esmee
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September 20, 2018 at 4:21 PM
Hello! I am interested in becoming a features writer and one of my friends is interested in becoming an editor. Our questions are along the same lines as Cloe’s. We mostly wonder about the time commitment (we both have other jobs) and the pay (ie. pay per click or pay per word or standard pay per article). If the pay is decent enough for a full time job then that would be wonderful. But we understand if it is not and it is mostly a passion job. Thank you so much for this article. ^_^
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October 12, 2018 at 10:48 AM
Hello North, thank you for your feedback!
Unfortunately, I signed a NDA so I cannot give you detailed answers. The features writer position is a freelance job, so your time should be flexible enough to balance writing with your current job. As for the editor position, it’s full time and you’ll have to work at the headquarters, meaning you’ll have to move to Seoul.
Best of luck to you and your friend, let me know how the application process goes 🙂
P.S: I apologize for the belated answer 😡
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March 18, 2019 at 8:29 PM
Hi! I just saw an opening for features writer at soompi and i have decided to send an application but few questions 😅, is fluency in Korean a neccesity? And also, i am a student so i have minimal work experience, though i have worked with a Teen newspaper, is that a problem?
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March 22, 2019 at 12:29 PM
Hello,
Fluency is not necessary, but very much appreciated. Your newspaper experience can be handy, so add it to your resume.
Best of luck with everything 🙂
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June 6, 2019 at 7:52 PM
Hello! your article has been really helpful. But I am wondering if the skype interview is in english or in your native language(in case its not english). I would be really glad if you respond. Thanks
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June 12, 2019 at 3:41 PM
Hello Amy, Thank you! The interview is in fact conducted in English.
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June 12, 2019 at 4:56 AM
Hi Esmee,
How long did it take before Soompi replied? I would like to apply for the position and learn more about your experience with them. Please shoot me an email when you’re free to talk!
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June 12, 2019 at 3:45 PM
Hello 🙂
I think it took a few months before I got a reply. Feel free to send me all of your questions here: https://esmeegoeshallyu.com/contact/
I’ll be more than happy to help 🙂
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July 21, 2019 at 11:57 AM
Hello, Esmee!
Same as the question of the user Cloe, do you get paid per click or per article posted? Are there weekly quotas and such? Also, are there any perks of being in that position?
Your answer would be very much helpful! Thanks!
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July 22, 2019 at 9:59 AM
Hi Jonas,
Since the informations you’re seeking were revealed to me after I signed a non-disclosure agreement, I’m not at liberty to say.
For me, the ultimate perk is doing the thing I love most which is writing, and I get to write about a topic that interests me.
Sorry for not being able to answer your questions fully, thank you for understanding 🙂
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April 10, 2020 at 1:18 PM
How I landed on this blog was… Uhmm, I guess a serendipity. I have been hesitant to contribute my fascination and love for KDramas and I am truly delighted to have read this content of yours when you mentioned that you have been doing this mainly because of your love and happiness for the Hallyu wave. Really, passion has to come first to excel in your preferred area. Thank you for efforts, we will continue to look forward for your articles and blog. I will do my best so you can be my sunbae in Soompi. Fighting!
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April 11, 2020 at 3:59 PM
Hi Paula,
Thank you so much for your kind words! It brings me great joy to see readers enjoying my writings.
I would be delighted to have you as my hoobae 🙂 Best of luck and don’t hesitate to contact me if you need help with your application. Hwaiting!
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April 12, 2020 at 1:17 AM
Thank you for your comment back, Esmee! Really, I am so motivated! 🤩 (Mom! A Soompi writer noticed me, can I have a pasta for this? 🤩😄)
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April 12, 2020 at 10:01 AM
😂 You’re cute 🤗
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April 16, 2020 at 4:38 AM
Hey Esmee,
My name is Rukhsar and I recently came across your post.I am really interested in freelance writing but have not background or the experience for it. Can you please tell me how you first started of your journey into writing and blogging and built the social networking to help your blog grow. I have very limited people on my social media as I am a muslim and like it to keep to a minimum. Also I would be really stoked if you could share what tools helped you through your blogging.
Thanks already.
Ps : here’s my gmail id if you want to reply there
krukhsar584@gmail.com 🤗🤗
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April 18, 2020 at 9:14 PM
Hi Rukhsar,
I have been writing for a very long time since I was a kid, and I slowly built up the pace via blogging. I didn’t have a method per se, I just delved into it and kept learning as I grew up. Reading helped build my vocabulary and I always made sure that my grammar is correct.
I don’t have a social networking, I started this blog for the sake of writing alone. Many readers like you find my blog and some of them decide to stay.
Feel free to write me via the contact form if you have any other questions.
Best of luck with your endeavors!
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April 28, 2020 at 5:37 PM
Hi Esmee,
I wanted to apply in soompi.. i have also everything ready.. but somehow the mail is not going..um do you know how to send and where to send it would be really helpful..i read all your posts there..a very big fan 🙂
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April 28, 2020 at 6:33 PM
Hi Esmee,
I recently decided to go for applying for soompi but the problem is I can’t mail at soompi…um if it is not a problem then can you tell me where to mail my resume and all.. I really really want to apply… and I read your posts there.. a big fan of yours 🙂
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May 3, 2020 at 11:21 PM
Hi Srishti,
Thank you for your kind words, I’m glad you enjoy my writings! Here is the email where you can send your application: jobs@soompi.com
Don’t forget to follow the application instructions as described here: https://www.soompi.com/jobs/features-writer
Best of luck!
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August 10, 2020 at 3:18 PM
Hi Esmee, I am very much interested in becoming a soompi featured writer as I’m a crazy fan girl☺️ And soompi is the platform where I enjoy the articles.But I don’t have experience in the field. And I have very less people in my social media. Recently I thought of opening a blog to start my writing to share with people. While I was searching for details relates to soompi jobs I saw ur blog. It is very interesting and motivating. Thumbs up for you. I can feel your happiness in the post👍🏻. Could you please tell me how did you have started the blog and how can I improve my writing to apply for the soompi jobs. I saw ur previous comments shared with others. I do read a lot of books☺️
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August 10, 2020 at 2:53 PM
Hi Mona,
Thank you for your comment, you’re very sweet.
Reading is definitely a good way of learning vocabulary, and starting a blog is an excellent idea to practice writing.
I’ve been blogging for a long time so with every new experience and new theme, my writing skills developed. You can read Soompi features to get an idea of their writing style and if you feel you’re ready, you can try applying for the features writer position.
Best of luck with everything!
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February 28, 2021 at 9:28 PM
Hello dear! Thank you so much for this article. I’m also interested in writing for Soompi.
May I know more details of your job? Do you get paid per click or per article posted?
Do they pay you per week or per month? And as for the compensation, is it decent enough to make it into a full-time job? Also, how many hours you should work per week?
Hope you answer my questions, it would really help me a lot.
Thank you so much for everything!
Hope you have an amazing day 🙂
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February 28, 2021 at 8:43 PM
Hello Sofi, thank you so much for reading me.
Unfortunately, I can’t answer any payment-related questions because I signed a non-disclosure agreement. As for the working hours, it’s a freelance position so you work according to your own schedule.
I hope you have an amazing day as well~
Sincerely,
Esmee
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April 11, 2021 at 3:50 PM
Hello, Esmee! I’ve always wanted to be a writer for Korean pop culture news sites like Soompi, but I don’t have any work experience since I’m still in college (although I was a campus journalist during grade school and high school). Would that be a huge disadvantage? Do you think they’re up for hiring someone with no work experience?
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May 5, 2021 at 3:22 PM
Hi Nana!
I am incredibly sorry for my tardy reply. Being a campus journalist is considered as experience nonetheless and you should mention that in your resume. Also, your cover letter and the sample you submit will also vouch for you, so don’t worry about it. Best of luck with everything!
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September 21, 2021 at 2:52 AM
i know this post is a couple years old, but saw some comments recently from this year. i know due to the nda and such you can’t disclose much in detail but i wanted to know if we can talk privately via email? i am thinking about applying as a features writer since i just graduated with my associates in journalism and have also been a kpop fan since 2013 .. ^^;
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September 27, 2021 at 9:25 AM
Hi Darian! I apologize for the tardy reply. Yes of course, you can use the contact form to reach me via email. Looking forward to answering your queries, and congratulations on your graduation!
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