Q. Please introduce yourself.
A. Hello, my name is Yeonju Bin, born in 1994. I came to Australia on what people call the “last train” of the Working Holiday program. I’ve always had a fascination with English and a strong desire to study abroad, but the cost made it impossible. Once I became an adult, I thought, “I have nothing to lose — why not try?” So I applied for a Working Holiday visa, and eight months later, I finally made it to Australia.

Q. What did you do before coming to Australia?
A. Back in university, I dreamed of becoming a comedian. I even performed with the Galgali Family comedy group and worked hard to make that dream come true. But unfortunately, it was a time when live comedy was declining, and opportunities were drying up. I eventually left the troupe, though I couldn’t give up so easily and joined a comedy company afterward. After more than a year of struggle, I decided to quit. Around that time, I started my YouTube channel — it was really tough at first, and financially I was in the red for a long time. But I kept at it, and eventually, I was able to earn just enough to get by. Thanks to my subscribers’ support, I still enjoy creating content today with a grateful heart.

Q. You have a lot of travel content on your YouTube channel. What do you enjoy about it?
A. I love experiencing different cultures through travel. It gives me a chance to think differently and reset my mind. Sometimes, on short trips, I even leave my laptop behind — just being disconnected like that is my way of healing.

Q. How has your experience in Australia been so far?
A. There are times when things feel confusing or frustrating, but people here are so relaxed and kind that I can see why so many dream of living in Australia. It’s only been two months, but I already love walking alone with music in my ears, taking in the beautiful scenery, and spending quiet hours reading in the library.

Q. How was your job-hunting experience in Australia?
A. Honestly, it wasn’t easy. My first trial shift was awful — the manager sighed and looked visibly annoyed whenever I asked a question or made a small mistake. At one point, after I cleaned the blender, he just glared at me silently for about five seconds. I still remember that moment vividly. It felt like I was working for free. Since I ended up working much longer than the two-hour trial, I had to ask for payment for the extra hours. I got $80, but the experience left a bad taste.
Things got much better afterward. From the second job on, I met kind and supportive people. Of course, there were still moments when my lack of coffee knowledge or small mistakes made things tough. When I couldn’t find work for a while, I almost cried from anxiety. But then, a Japanese housemate left me a letter saying, “It also took me a long time to find my first job, so I understand how you feel. You’re doing great — keep trying, and you’ll find something that suits you. Let’s keep doing our best together.” That letter gave me so much strength. Just three days later, I found a new job, and that’s when I learned — sometimes, endurance is the answer.

Q. Any memorable episodes from your Working Holiday so far?
A. One small but funny moment happened at a famous fish and chips shop on the Gold Coast. A bird kept trying to steal food, and an Australian man started chasing it away so seriously that I couldn’t stop laughing — even though it wasn’t the right moment to laugh!
There were also unpleasant moments. Once, an elderly regular customer came in, and he was so frail I could barely understand what he was saying. After I asked him to repeat himself a few times, he looked at me and said, “Do you f***ing understand English?” I was stunned — it really hurt. Still, as a YouTuber, I plan to turn that experience into a funny story someday.

Q. What are your plans while in Australia?
A. I want to find a good balance between “working” and “holiday.” I’d love to travel around cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth — and also visit New Zealand. Many subscribers recommended trying au pair work, which I’m curious about. I really value my alone time, so I want to keep enjoying small moments — reading with my earphones in at the library, or eating an acai bowl on a sunny terrace.
I’ve also dreamed of writing a book someday, and being surrounded by such beautiful scenery and a peaceful lifestyle makes me feel like I could finally do it. 🙂

Q. What’s the most memorable place you’ve traveled to so far?
A. Definitely Mongolia. It was my first long trip — over 20 days — and it was full of challenges. The toilets were primitive, and there were days we couldn’t even wash, but that’s what made it unforgettable. We stayed in gers and hotels, but also camped right in the middle of nature. I’m proud to say my first camping experience was in Mongolia!
I had deep conversations with our local guide, Bilge, and learned so much about life and nature. To me, Mongolia was more meaningful than even the luxury of the Maldives.

Q. Any advice for others preparing for a Working Holiday in Australia?
A. It’s only been two months, but I’d say — “endurance is the key.” Don’t get too lonely or discouraged. Stay open-minded and enjoy the journey. Things might not go according to plan, and that’s okay. If you keep working hard and hold on, good things will come.
Also, one practical tip — practice driving before you come! Having a car makes it so much easier to find jobs and travel around.

Q. Lastly, any message to your parents?
A. My parents have always supported my dreams. My two siblings and I all pursued arts-related fields, and even though things weren’t easy financially, they never once told us to stop. I kept dreaming of becoming a comedian into adulthood while still getting pocket money from my dad — but once I started earning myself, I realized how hard that must have been for him. I also pestered my parents for two years until they finally let me get braces — now I just feel so grateful, and a bit sorry for being so stubborn back then.
Because my parents believed in me, I’ve been able to take on challenges with the mindset of “nothing to lose — just try.” I like to think of myself as a filial daughter, though I admit my actions don’t always match! But through this interview, I want to tell my parents how much I truly respect and love them. That goes for my grandparents, too — and our family dog, Hodoo! As for my sister and brother… well, I might need a bit more time to think about that. 🙂

YouTube Channel: Kongbin (Cong Been)
www.youtube.com/@congbeen