Going by the recent visit of South Korea’s President Lee Jae-Myung, India and South Korea are pushing hard on trade targets, technology partnerships, and strategic convergence in the Indo-Pacific. But more consequential change is happening on screens, in studios, and in the habits of a generation that no longer waits for diplomacy to catch up.
The story of 16-year-old Sembavalam, a Tamil princess who was sent to Korea and became a queen, is common knowledge in that country, less well known here. Then Buddhism travelled from India where institutions like Nalanda played a key role in shaping religious and intellectual traditions across East Asia.
Today, Korean dramas are widely watched, and are often dubbed into Indian languages. K-pop has built a loyal and growing fan base. According to reports, K-drama viewership in Netflix India spiked 370% in the year 2020. In cities like Delhi and Mumbai, it’s not unusual to find dance groups practising Korean choreography.
What’s interesting is that this is no longer just about watching. It’s about participation.
Young people aren’t just consuming Korean culture—they’re engaging with it, learning from it, and in some cases, trying to enter it. Even President Lee Jae-Myung of South Korea did not forget to mention the journey of Sriya Lenka, a girl from Odisha who became India’s first K-pop star, during his visit to India.
HYBE Corporation has recently launched a large-scale audition hunt in India. Aiming to build India’s first global girl group the initiative will scout and train talent across cities in India and abroad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced the India-Korea Friendship Festival, a week-long celebration (April 20–28) of deepening cultural ties, with plans for a larger, permanent edition by 2028.
From Korean beauty products lining store shelves to kimchi finding its way into Indian kitchens, Korean wave is becoming part of everyday life in India.
South Korea has invested heavily in building cultural reach, through institutions and training systems. It understands something many countries still underestimate: culture travels faster than policy, and often achieves more.
A Tamil language film, Made in Korea, released on Netflix, shot across Tamil Nadu and South Korea reflects a subtle shift, from consumption to collaboration, from importing stories to co-producing them.
The India–South Korea story has travelled a long way, from monks and manuscripts to movies and music. It is being built in real time, through music, media, and everyday cultural choices.
