A popular Indian blogger and YouTuber with over 1.7 million subscribers experienced racism in South Korea, highlighting the challenges faced by travellers and backpackers across the world, which led to an online debate.

Youtuber Deepanshu Sangwan claimed that many Koreans stared at him and ‘gave looks’ because of his brown skin. “We’re Indians, we have brown skin - what can we do? We were born this way,”  he said in his vlog.

However, he also said that racism also exists in India but ‘not to this extent’ and ‘gives dirty looks’. He acknowledged that Africans do face racism in India.

“We can also make fun of Koreans and say that their culture is borrowed from Chinese traditions and other influences,” he added.

Social media is abuzz with debates and discussions on the claims of Indian YouTubers.

An X user shed light on the influence of Korean culture among young Indians and said, “An Indian YouTuber with 1.7M subscribers faces racism in South Korea, exposing the darker side of the K-pop and K-drama craze. Ironically, Indian radfems bingeing these shows are seen as ugloids by Koreans.”

“Koreans are some of the most racist people,” a user commented while another said, “Same as what Koreans and Japanese are experiencing in India.”

One user commented, “Sorry dude, I worked in Seoul and that was 11 years ago and didn't face any racism. They were much sweeter than other countries. Yes, I have seen racism in Thailand. If you bargain there, some of them abuse you.”

Interestingly, a user said, “Stop buying South Korean goods like Hyundai and Samsung”.