From BTS to Korean University: Indian Students Are Studying the Hallyu Way
- riya siddacharjee
- Sep 22
- 2 min read
"I got into BTS during lockdown. I just wanted to understand the lyrics better… now I'm doing a language course in Seoul", laughs Aanya Dhruv, a 22-year-old from Mumbai currently studying at Sogang University. This isn't a one-off story.
Across India, the ripple effect of K-pop is reaching beyond playlists and into passport stamps and university admission forms. From stanning K-pop idols to studying Korean, the journey is becoming surprisingly common.
South Korea’s soft power, packaged through flawless choreo, K-dramas, mukbangs, and minimal skincare, is no longer just a mood. It's motivating Indian millennials and Gen-Z to pack their bags and actually go to Korea.
According to statistics from the South Korean Ministry of Education, in 2022, there were approximately 1,328 Indian students enrolled in higher education in Korea, accounting for just 0.8% of Korea’s total international student body of around 166,892.
More recent reports suggest that the Indian student community might be larger: some organizations estimate 1,500 to 3,500 Indian students in Korea during the academic year.
Meanwhile, approximately 12,000 Indians are living in South Korea in total, of whom students comprise a small but growing fraction, as per The Times of India (Indian Media).
What’s fueling K-Culture surge?
K‑pop, K‑drama, Korean aesthetics. For many Indian millennials and Gen‑Z, idols are more than entertainers; they are entry points into wanting to learn the language, visit Korea, and understand the culture.
Policy push and scholarship opportunities. Korea’s "Study Korea 300K Project" aims to attract 300,000 international students by 2027, with India clearly identified as a priority source.
Tourism and air connectivity. Indian travelers to Korea rose from 122,771 in 2023 to 176,668 in 2024, 44 % year‑on‑year growth as per India Today.
According to Sarmistha Siddhacharjee, AME (Aeronautical Maintenance Engineer), “Random growth has not been significant, but some changes have been observed. Flights have resumed, and in the near future, there may be more opportunities".
Challenges remain: language, cost, and visas. Yet, K-Culture is no longer just fandom; it’s a compass. From Seoul to Busan to Daegu, Indian students are chasing more than K-pop; they’re chasing futures. The Hallyu Wave isn’t just crossing oceans, it’s carrying them straight into Korea’s tomorrow.
Let us know in the comments section about your opinion.
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