Meet Bangalore’s enterprising Koreans

Four seasons flow one into another. The Han river cuts through the buzzing chaos. And countless people walk around chasing their dreams. Kamanahalli is nowhere close to the images of Seoul. But when it comes to Koreans in the city it is this geographical pocket that is the hub of the community.

Simply stroll around the area and you’ll spot traces of Korean culture. Lee Youngi, a 26-year-old who came to the city four years ago to pursue her education set up Olive Korea, a chic boutique that displays a collection of clothes and accessories.

While planning to open more branches in the future, she says there are perhaps more than 10,000 Koreans in the city and while there are no formal clubs, they do bump into each other in Church, which helps many of them network. There is a Korean Coffeeshop and two restaurants in the area, as well, she adds.

Education is a major reason that draws the community to Bangalore. 33-year-old Tihyun Kim lives in the city with her Parents-in-law, her 13-year-old niece and her two daughters – Rim Choi (5 years) and Won Choi (Won Choi).

While opening a packet of gim (sheets of dried laver seaweed) she says that she moved to the city, while her husband is in Seoul, just for the education of the children. Articulating in a mishmash of English and gestures, she explains that English education in South Korea is very expensive and therefore India is good option to pick up the language.

Then she points of to the picture of ‘gimbap’ on the gim box and says ‘like sushi’. Asked what she misses about her country, she thinks for a moment and says “massage”. Back home, people get regular sauna, ‘Mok Yok Tang’ and for some it’s even a daily ritual, she says. Come August, her enterprising mother-in-law plans to open a Korean Spa and restaurant in the city, she lets in.

Kang and his wife moved to India in 2005 and moved to the city two years later. It was in Dec 2009, that they opened Kosent, a stylish café that has a Korean library and serves gimbap on Saturdays. The place acts as a meeting point for a lot of Koreans who might otherwise feel left out in the city if they are not able to communicate in English.

He remembers that a pack of Koreans did get together to go to the golf club and they have been cheering the Korean team in the World Cup although there is no formal club, he says. But two or three families do get together and travel – something the Koreans are very passionate about.

“Ooty, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Kerala, Chennai,” he rattles on the names of the places he has been to.  Asked if he plans to return to Seoul anytime soon, he says confidently “maybe 10 years after.”