Meerim lives and works with her husband in South Korea — in the resort city of Sokcho. Both have found jobs at a hotel. According to her, Sokcho is characterized by a calm atmosphere, clean air, and a combination of sea and mountains.
By education, Meerim is an English language teacher, but she hasn’t been able to work in her field. In the future, she plans to continue her education and try her hand at teaching in Kyrgyzstan.
Immediately after their wedding, the couple went to Moscow for work. They lived there for three years, worked a lot, and managed to buy a one-room apartment. After that, they returned to Bishkek, but as Meerim recalls, they didn’t fully understand how to build a new stage of life.
Her interest in South Korea began in school years — after watching the drama "Boys Over Flowers." Later, at the age of 19-20, she worked in a Korean restaurant, and the theme of Korean culture remained close to her.
In February 2025, her cousin, who has been living in Korea for over 10 years, suggested that the couple move. After discussions, her husband agreed, and on March 23, 2025, the couple flew to Korea.
Meerim liked Korea right away. Among her first impressions, she notes the politeness of the people, cleanliness, order, and the convenient urban environment. Many everyday things, including "smart" technologies, became a new experience for her.
She also points out the strict rules and fines: while alcohol is often consumed, public conflicts and disturbances, according to her observations, are rare.
According to Meerim, the difference between Korea and Kyrgyzstan is particularly noticeable in terms of safety. She notes that found items on the street are often handed over to the police or lost & found points, and cameras are installed almost everywhere.
Currently, the couple works and saves money for more spacious housing — their current apartment is, in their opinion, small. At the same time, they try to find time for trips and new experiences.
They save money thanks to their working conditions: the hotel provides accommodation and meals (lunch and dinner), so their daily expenses are minimal. At home, they still cook familiar Kyrgyz dishes.
In the beginning, as Meerim admits, the main difficulty was the language: they do not speak Korean, and at first, it was hard even with a translator. The physical aspect of the job also turned out to be challenging.
Before moving, Meerim worked in a beauty salon, so working as a housekeeper in a hotel became a new experience for her. However, as the girl notes, they were lucky with the management: they are understanding despite the language barrier.
According to Meerim, there are more Kyrgyz people in Gwangju and Incheon. There are few Kyrgyzstani people in Sokcho, so most of her communication is with colleagues — Kyrgyz and Kazakhs.
She also notes that many work 10-12 hours, and the Koreans are characterized by hard work, discipline, and attention to appearance. At the same time, some family traditions, according to her observations, resonate with Kyrgyz ones, including the relationships between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law.
In her free time, Meerim and her husband enjoy traveling around Korea and sometimes go to Seoul — the bus ride takes about 3.5 hours. Such trips are not cheap, so the couple tries to plan them less frequently.
Recently, Meerim started creating UGC content: she films videos about life in Korea, prices, and everyday life, showcasing the country to her followers. According to her, several Korean cosmetic brands have already sent her PR boxes, which has become additional motivation to develop this direction.
In the future, the couple plans to return to Bishkek, become parents, and build a life in their homeland. They say they are approaching the topic of parenthood consciously and want to first strengthen their financial foundation — in particular, to solve their housing issue.
