Global interest in the Korean language is growing on the back of the Korean pop culture boom known as “hallyu.”

Female students wearing black hijab take a Korean class at the local branch of the King Sejong Institute in Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.

Some 150 students take the Korean class during their lunch break, although the course doesn't count for any credits.

Following English, Korean has become the second most popular secondary language in Southeast Asian nations where the Korean pop culture boom began.

Fifty-nine middle and high schools and 21 universities run Korean classes in Thailand. And 18 more universities want to open Korean classes.

The King Sejong Institute teaches the Korean language to foreigners in 43 countries around the world.