Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in Korean men who are dating or marrying Indian women. Stories of romances and marriages with Indian women are emerging on various Korean internet communities. We have collected reviews from Korean men who have actually dated and even married Indian women. Alongside these narratives, we will also explore the vivid reactions from other Korean male netizens on this trend!
Positive Story: The Love story of Indian woman and a Korean man
India has a strong sense of family affection. During a discussion about marriage with my girlfriend, she inquired whether I wanted to live with my parents post-marriage. Surprised by her question, I asked for her preference, to which she responded that she’d prefer living with my parents. This took me by surprise, but I realized it stemmed from her upbringing in a joint family, which made her more comfortable having parents around. She mentioned feeling lonely when I’m out, a sentiment alleviated by the presence of my parents. This showcased her strong, family-oriented mindset.
Regarding dietary habits, the vegetarian culture is predominant in India, a fact that becomes apparent as my girlfriend and I navigate our culinary preferences. While I have no issues with eating meat, we often find common ground in restaurants serving pasta, Korean, or Indian cuisines. She has a particular fondness for dishes like bibimbap, buckwheat noodles, tteokbokki, mung bean pancakes, and cheonggukjang, likely due to her familiarity with beans as a staple in Indian cuisine. Interestingly, she enjoys CU convenience store chicken skewers for their lack of a meaty smell and opts for the Miracle Burger from Lotteria, while I choose the chicken burger.
On the religious front, most Indians, including my girlfriend from Mumbai, follow Hinduism. Mumbai, as she describes, holds Ganesha in high esteem, though different regions have their own deities. Despite her not being overly religious, she joined me at church for Christmas, an experience I found incredibly moving. As I’m part of the church orchestra, attendance is obligatory for me, but sharing the day with her, as she stated she’s content “anywhere as long as I’m with you,” was particularly special and touching.
Positive Story 2: The Love story of a Indian woman and Korean man
It seems everyone is quite interested in international marriages, so I’m writing this post.
My story isn’t exactly about an international corporate marriage but about an international love marriage. Take your time as it’s a long read.
In my early 30s, while working, I felt regret for not having studied properly and was struck with the urge to attend graduate school – a decision I made when most were focusing on their careers, which felt like entering a dark phase of my life.
My research in graduate school was on South Asians and India, and after completing my studies, I was uncertain about what to do next. I ended up wandering, trying to find a way to make a living and gain experience, and finally, in my mid-30s, I managed to get re-employed.
The place was… the intensely hot country of India.
The HR interviewer kept repeating this phrase… “I really regret hiring you…” (The HR person who hired me returned to Korea after a year and became the top member of their team.)
I didn’t understand this sentiment until I arrived in India.
And the moment I arrived in India… even though it was December, supposed to be winter, everyone was in short sleeves, sweating profusely, while I stood there at the airport wearing a padded jacket…
I was firstly shocked by this cultural shock, secondly by the fact that my workplace was in a remote area with only mountains and rocks, and thirdly, surprisingly, Korean food was readily available there. (Twice a month, we could have Jajangmyeon, Jjamppong, and even order fried chicken)
Fortunately, there was a big city three hours away, so on weekends, I could enjoy city life and during weekdays, stick to the remote company-home lifestyle.
Ironically, here again! I found myself caught up in the graduate school bug, enrolled again due to my mediocre English, and became trapped once more in this academic cycle.
Anyway, after curiously trying Indian street food and suffering from diarrhea for a month, riding a medium-sized motorcycle and enjoying a sort of fake Harley uncle style, I endured about a year.
Being someone who had given up on love, I started dating a woman through an app. (All were Indian women)
While the other women seemed typically Indian, this one had a mixed appearance, somewhat Japanese-Vietnamese.
It turns out India isn’t just inhabited by one type of Indians but is divided into South Indians (darker-skinned), North Indians (lighter-skinned), and Northeast Indians (East Asian appearance). I came to understand this after dating various women.
Among them, I met a Northeast Indian woman, who was working as a nurse in a major city.
Between my wife (current) and me, there is an 8-year age gap. (Of course, I am the older one)
During the happy times we spent together every weekend, my girlfriend (now wife) eventually admitted she was seeing our relationship seriously, leading to a visit to her parental home.
It turns out her father (my father-in-law) was a retired police instructor and professor from the police academy, and her mother (my mother-in-law) was a homemaker.
Initially, my in-laws opposed our relationship. They insisted that in their region, deeply influenced by Catholic Don Bosco’s traditions, a marriage must be conducted in the church. The church initially refused due to the concern that a foreigner might leave the country.
Moreover, my mother-in-law had intended to arrange a marriage for her with a local doctor, as it’s still a tradition in India for parents to arrange marriages where couples might not meet until the wedding.
However, my girlfriend, having been independent since coming to the big city at 19, firmly stated she would not marry anyone but me, leading us to marry ten months after meeting.
The wedding wasn’t meticulously planned.
I still vividly remember going to my girlfriend’s family home in December 2022 and declaring our intention to marry.
Her parents then spoke to the church, and the priest personally asked me if I would love and care for her for the rest of our lives. I answered “Yes”.
A week later, we had a collective wedding ceremony at the church, followed by inviting around 300 guests to our home for an all-night celebration, a tradition reflecting the British influence on the region.
How are we doing now?
We’re living as a weekend couple while I continue my job. Additionally, I’m finally exiting the graduate school phase – my degree is expected in December.
This December will mark our first wedding anniversary.
I thought sharing a story like mine might be interesting because there must be others in similar situations.
International marriage?
I highly recommend it. My wife is unlike any other woman I’ve met. She loves me for who I am, not for my wealth or lack thereof…
That alone was reason enough for me to marry her.
Summary:
- Celebrating one year of marriage after meeting through an app in India.
- Finally moving past the grad school phase.
- My wife love me and I love her so much.
