We’ve had quite some individuals within the past year ask us what it’s like as an interracial few in Korea. Also as an interracial couple, we’ve become used to people seeing us as one while abroad though we are both Americans and had never really thought of ourselves.

Today I am going to answer comprehensively the question of what it is like being a racially mixed few here in Korea (based on our own personal experiences, of course).

Drum roll please…

What It’s Like Being An Interracial Couple In Korea

We heard lots of mixed information about how interracial couples (Koreans with foreigners) were treated here before we moved to Korea. A few of what we heard triggered us to feel a little anxious—especially since we knew that most Koreans would assume that I’m Korean.

Many people online said that interracial marriage or dating among Koreans was frowned upon by most, and that the older generation had been especially vocal about this. In some extreme cases, even reproving the couple that is interracial their face.

Additionally, Eric did not desire to be labeled by Koreans as a “yellow fever” man. Nor did I do want to be labeled a lady with “foreign fever” (that’s thing too right?).

From the our couple that is first of in Korea well. Eric and I also were submerged in a completely foreign tradition and we wanted to be cautious about following most of the societal rules and being culturally painful and sensitive.

Being fully a racially blended couple included a fascinating twist on things.

For our very first couple months in Korea we were extremely alert to how we endured away and a result of this was that our degrees of PDA went wayyy down. A few of you are thinking well that sounds silly—but hey, you wouldn’t wish an ajjushi or ajooma getting into the face about being hitched to somebody with a various epidermis color from yours, could you?

After having a couple weeks of feeling horribly uncomfortable around each other in public places, we realized that none of this other the partners all around us (Korean or mixed) had been acting nearly therefore prudish.

That got us wondering, perhaps what we had heard before going here wasn’t 100% correct…or maybe it had been outdated information and things had been changing into the certain section of interracial dating/marriage in Korea.

I would ask them all the same question as I started to make more Korean friends:

For being with Eric?“Do you think other Koreans will judge me”

And for the part that is most I got exactly the same solution.

“No, because you’re a foreigner.”

“What if they (like most people) think I’m Korean?”

“They need just communicate with you or give you a 2nd look and they’ll realize you’re international. Additionally, because you are of no regards to them they most likely won’t care who you are with.”

Upon further inquiry quite often my Korean friends would tell me that in the previous dating/marriage that is interracial a much bigger taboo in Korea. Nevertheless, much more modern times, Korea has turned into a a lot more country that is diverse so seeing interracial couples will be a lot more prevalent.

Now, about you dating or marrying a foreigner if you are in a more conservative Korean family they may have some qualms. But those same conservative Koreans won’t provide a second thought if they see an interracial (Korean/foreigner) couple regarding the subway. They would only want to get involved if it in fact was a relative of their that has been into the relationship.

After hearing all my buddies reassure me personally that Eric and I could walk across the street together without fearing judgments or dirty appearance, and getting more knowledgeable about the couple culture here, we cautiously started initially to relieve back to our selves that are normal. We could now hold arms with confidence and show more love in public areas.

Another thing that boosted our confidence had been that whenever we sought out together Korean individuals were always extremely friendly to us.

Oftentimes ajooma’s or ajjushi’s would make others in the subways scoot over just so that we’re able to sit close to one another. Or they would make use of the small English they knew in an attempt to hit a conversation up aided by the both of us.

Again and again, we found that not merely were we accepted as being a couple, but individuals would walk out our method to be kind to us. Experiences like these really assisted us place our worries behind us.

To conclude, I would personally say that Korean tradition is a lot less strict about interracial relationships than it is portrayed to be online. Through the little random acts of kindness shown us by Koreans, we’ve finally stopped worrying all about how exactly we shall be perceived in public areas. Now anywhere we venture out together we’re confident and never bother about getting judged or glared at (we still get lots of stares though…but that’s simply the real method it’s right here).

Thank you a great deal for reading my blog post! I’d want to hear exactly about your experiences as an couple that is interracial or perhaps being a couple) abroad. Inform me how your experiences differed from mine within the comment area below!

To read more about my experiences in Korea, check out The Pros and Cons of Being a Asian that is non-Korean in!