Daria Yarmolenko, a native of Ukraine, and Ernist Kamaridin uulu from Kyrgyzstan became participants in the "Zhubaýlar" column. They currently live in Bishkek, but their journey to a shared life was full of trials, distances, and doubts, which they overcame thanks to their strong faith in each other.
Daria, born in 2000 in Sumy, received an education as an architect. Ernist was born in 1998 in the Chon-Alai district of the Osh region. After finishing school, he worked and then went to Korea for earnings.
"When my sister and I dreamed of a trip to Korea, it was always postponed due to a lack of funds, and the dream remained just a dream," recalls Daria. However, in 2020, fate brought her together with Ernist through social networks. At that time, he was already living in Korea. Their communication started as a friendship, without any particular expectations, but soon turned into daily conversations, video calls, and support despite the distance.
Friends and family did not believe that their acquaintance could develop into something serious, as the distance between Ukraine and Korea seemed insurmountable. Nevertheless, hope for the best never left them.
With the onset of the war in Ukraine, Daria stayed in her homeland for seven months, and it was during this time that Ernist provided her with moral support. "At that moment, I decided to get a visa and fly to Korea," she shares.
The couple's first meeting took place in 2022, and since then they have spent six months together, opening their worlds to each other. These months became the foundation of their relationship.
However, there were also difficulties — talking to their parents became a real test. Both families were concerned about the differences in culture and religion, and they had to go through doubts and tears. But ultimately, the couple's choice was accepted.
Daria converted to Islam, and they held a Muslim "nikah" ceremony in Korea with the presence of Ernist's parents, which became a significant event for their families. For over two years, the couple continued their life together in Korea, building their relationship.
In February 2025, they decided to return to Kyrgyzstan so that Daria could get to know Ernist's relatives and his culture better. At the same time, they learned that they would soon become parents.
Today, Daria and Ernist continue their life in Bishkek, exploring the country, its traditions, and culture, getting acquainted with local customs and family.
Daria notes that the process of adapting to a new culture and language is not easy, but her husband's support helps her cope with the challenges. "We always support each other, rejoice together. The family values that I discovered in Kyrgyz culture, such as respect for elders and care for loved ones, make our life more harmonious," she shares.
Previously, they were actively engaged in creating videos and creative projects on social media, but now they are focused on raising their child. Nevertheless, they are gradually returning to their hobby and starting to create content again.
Their main goals are to live in harmony, grow, and maintain love and support for each other. "Six years of knowing each other flew by unnoticed. Our journey was difficult, but it brought us closer and made us stronger," Daria concludes.
The couple has a son.
