When Korea does Namaste

K-pop stars are wearing lehengas, dancing to Tauba Tauba, even singing in Malayalam. Just a little something for their powerful army of Indian fans

- Christalle Fernandes

In July this year, when every dancer on Instagram was obsessing over Tauba Tauba, one fan showed his love from far, far away. In Seoul, South Korea, K-pop singer and content creator Aoora, put his own spin on the moves. He added steps from Bollywood songs Insha Allah (2007), Sheher Ki Ladki (1996), and Yaara O Yaara Milna Humara (1996). Fans loved it. "You're a certified Indian now," one of them commented. “Just give him an Aadhar card already,” said another.

Seoul-born Aoora has covered Yeh Shaam Mastaani and Tere Pyaar Mein in other videos. He's celebrated Ganesh Chathurthi and Holi, and he spent part of last year touring India. Meanwhile, Seoul-based pop artist and designer Mimi regularly dresses up in lehengas, saris and kurtas for Bollywood dance Reels. Fridayyy Hyungsun Ahn, a music producer, does Hindi-Korean song mash-ups - he's remixed Desi Kalakaar with BTS's Fake Love, and Kala Chashma with Butter.

Korea's pop stars and content creators are realising that they not only have a large fan base in India, but that we love a bit of masala in everything. So, they're learning about desi traditions, imitating Bollywood dance steps. And, in Korean style, going to great lengths to win desi fans over.

How it started