Book launch: “Seoulmates” offers a 360-degree view of South Korea

New Delhi, India – The Korean Cultural Center India, in association with Juggernaut Books, hosted a special Book Concert event featuring the authors of ‘Seoulmates’, Vasudev Tumbe and Sudha Huzurbazar Tumbe, to mark the book’s release. The book, written by the Indian couple who spent over six years in Seoul, offers a unique Indian perspective on Korea and Korean society.

The event, held at the Korean Cultural Center India auditorium, was attended by students and distinguished guests, including two former ambassadors to Korea: Skand Ranjan Tayal (2008-2011) and Ms. Sripriya Ranganathan (2018-2022).

‘Seoulmates’ offers a rich tapestry of personal insights and cultural observations as the two authors learn to navigate their way through Korean society. From the history of modern Korea and the remarkable economic transformation known as the “Miracle of the Han River,” to the Korean national character, workplace dynamics, everyday cultural practices, language learning experiences, and must-visit tourist destinations, the book presents Korea through the distinct lens of the authors’ Indian perspective.

Speaking on the occasion, Skand Ranjan Tayal, who served as the Indian Ambassador to South Korea between 2008 and 2011, said, “I would like to thank the authors of the book and the Korean Cultural Centre India for inviting me to this book launch. I would also like to thank KCCI for hosting this wonderful event. The people of India and Korea share a certain bond in a way. There is a deep history that connects the two people, dating back to the time of the princess of Ayodhya, who later married a South Korean prince in 48 AD. There is also a strong Buddhist connection between the two nations as it travelled from India to Korea.”

He added, “Although India and Korea are very close in terms of its history and culture, the people of the two nations still have a lot to learn about the cultures of each other. In that sense, this book will play a very important role in the coming years, as it seeks to understand the culture and people of Korea. The real force, psyche, and culture behind the success of Korea come through this book.”

Former Indian Ambassador to Korea, Sripriya Ranganathan, said that the book brought back wonderful memories of the four years she spent in Seoul. Speaking about one of the chapters of the book titled “Travel in Four Seasons”, she said, “One aspect of the beauty of Korea that struck me was the distinct seasons in the country. In Korea, you can see the transformation of the seasons, and it is truly magical.”

She highlighted her observations about Korean society and said, “I like the respect for public spaces that Korean citizens have. Almost all the public spaces are elegant and clean. The Korean citizens also travel long distances to spend time with their families, particularly on Seollal and Chuseok. This book will offer Indian readers a detailed cultural perspective of Korea.”

In her interaction with the audience, Sudha Huzurbazar Tumbe highlighted her experiences volunteering for the Seoul Namdaemun Police and the Korea Dyslexia Association. Vasudev Tumbe, who served as the vice president and CFO of SsangYong Motor Company from 2013 to 2019, also sat on the board of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK) from 2013 to 2019 and chaired it from August 2017 to December 2019.

He highlighted his experience navigating the high-powered corporate world in Korea and working with the Indian embassy in South Korea to promote trade and investment between India and Korea.

The event was particularly insightful for the Korean language students and provided them with a practical glimpse into life in Korea as an Indian citizen. Naina, a student of the Korean language course at KCCI, said, “The cultural ties between Korea and India are one of the key reasons I chose to learn Korean.” Quoting the authors’ emphasis on the role of language in understanding culture, she added, “I want to continue studying Korean to gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture.”

Hwang Il Yong, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in India, said, “There are limits to what one can learn from books or short-term travel. To truly understand a country’s culture, one needs to live and work within it. The authors of this book have spent over six years in Korea and hold a deep affection for the country. They have written their experiences of Korea from an Indian perspective. We hope this book will serve as a ‘wise Korean life’ guide, offering young Indian readers—familiar with Korea through short videos and books—a more vivid and meaningful understanding of Korean culture.”