By – Nandita Sanasam
It is a Monday morning today. Last week was Valentine week and the young and energetic ones must be experiencing the post-event blues. But time goes on; have to come to terms with that. Here I would like to say that February is an exciting month and there is something to look forward to. It is an event coming up this weekend in our home town, Imphal. Let me talk about this a little bit.
I have always liked my mornings to be lazy ones. That kind of setting gives me time to think and plan out my day and also the activities for that day. The last few days I have been a little preoccupied with my thoughts. I missed out on some of my lazy time in the mornings, as I am supposed to come up with a write-up on the Influence of Korean Culture in Manipur and other states in Northeastern India. As I sit down to sum up a few points on this topic, I come to realize that on a personal level, I do not have much to say about it from a subjective standpoint. Therefore, it has to be the other way round. I will try and approach it from an objective angle. From what I recall, Korea culture arrived in this part of the world in the mid-1990s with the arrival of Arirang TV. I have also watched shows on this channel in its initial years.
Over the years, since approximately around mid to late 1990s, I have been witnessing our society and the people around me, especially the younger generation, being influenced slowly but steadily by Korean culture. I was not a part of that crowd by virtue of being busy otherwise with jobs and career. Reflecting upon that time period, I have to say I was an observer to that slow change and shift happening from without and was never much an insider.
To compensate for my lack of knowledge, I have been doing some research and have come up with a small summary which I will be sharing here.
Influence of Korean Culture in Manipur
We have seen that in the past one to two decades Korean culture has become quite popular amongst the population especially the younger lot across many parts of the world. In line with this, Manipur is also one of the notable regions in India where this influence has been visibly strong. Mainly due to media-related factors and also historical and social reasons, Korean culture has found a deep connection with the youth of Manipur, shaping lifestyles, fashion, entertainment, and even social attitudes.
One of the main reasons for the spread of Korean culture in Manipur is the early exposure to Korean television content. Before the widespread availability of Indian satellite channels, many households in Manipur accessed foreign channels such as Arirang TV and KBS through cable networks. Korean dramas, with their emotional storytelling, family-oriented values, and high production quality, became popular among viewers. These dramas often reflected themes of respect, discipline, love, and social harmony, which resonated well with Manipuri society.
Korean pop music, commonly known as K-pop, has also played a significant role in influencing the youth. K-pop groups, with their synchronized dance routines, catchy music, and strong visual appeal, inspired many young people in Manipur to take interest in dance, music, and performance arts. Local dance groups, cover performances, and fan communities became common, especially in urban areas like Imphal. This influence has helped many youths develop confidence, creativity, and a sense of global cultural connection.
Korean fashion and lifestyle trends also became visible in Manipur. Hairstyles, clothing styles, skincare routines, and makeup trends inspired by Korean celebrities are widely followed by the youth of this state. Korean fashion, marked by its simplicity, elegance, and modern appeal, blends well with the preferences of Manipuri youth. Local markets started selling Korean-style clothing and beauty products, reflecting this cultural exchange.
Another important aspect of Korean cultural influence is food. Korean dishes, such as ramen, kimchi, and tteokbokki have become increasingly popular amongst the youth. Small Korean cafés and restaurants have emerged, especially in urban areas, introducing people to new tastes and dining experiences. This has encouraged cultural curiosity and openness among the younger generation. To add, I myself have been to one such eatery located in the Nambol area. The theme was Korean and the interior and food was Korean. It was a memorable experience and that was last year.
To sum up, the influence of Korean culture in Manipur is a result of early media exposure, cultural compatibility, and the rising popularity of Korean culture around the globe. While traditional Manipuri culture remains strong and respected, Korean culture has added a modern, global dimension to the lives of many young people in this part of the world. This cultural interaction highlights how global media can connect distant societies while still allowing local identities to flourish.
All this talk about Korea and its influence comes in the backdrop of the upcoming India Literary Tour 2026, Indo-Korean Edition. It is a travel-cum-literature event that would start on the 14th of February 2026 and end on the 24th of February. It is a first of its kind literature and cross-cultural festival touring through Mumbai, Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Imphal, and Delhi. This tour will be bringing together Korean and Indian authors, books, readers, K-fans, and literature enthusiasts in an unforgettable multi-city celebration. The program would include panel discussions, meet ups, readings, and experiences tied to writing, books, culture and storytelling. It is being organised by the INK & Quill Collective (a literary community dedicated to nurturing and supporting writers) under Project Bhasha and the Literature Translation Institute of Korea. The Literature Translation Institute of Korea is a government-supported institution dedicated to translating, publishing, and globally promoting Korean literature through sustained international cultural exchange.
The tour begins in Mumbai on the 14th of February and will be moving through Dibrugarh, Imphal, Guwahati, and Delhi.
Ukiyo Bookstore, Imphal, Manipur will be hosting the Imphal chapter of this literary tour. The designated date is 21st of February 2026 and the venue is Harvest Café, Imphal. This event is going to be an initiative to introduce Korean literature in Manipur. It will also bring together Korean writers and Manipuri writers and the focus areas most likely would be translation and cultural exchange.
The event is a golden opportunity not to be missed by the many K-fans, readers, and literary enthusiasts. I am optimistic that this is going to be an experience of a different kind.