Seoulmates - Korea Through Indian Eyes
Seoulmates - Korea Through Indian Eyes
Sudha Huzurbazar Tumbe And Vasudev Tumbe
- Hardcover : 262 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9353454115
- ISBN-13 : 978-9353454111
South Korea is a global force today – an economic powerhouse, a tech innovator and the heart of the K-Wave that is taking the world by storm. But beyond the glitz of K-Pop and K-Dramas,what is it like to live there as an Indian?
In this eye-opening book, Sudha Huzurbazar Tumbe and Vasudev Tumbe share their first-hand experiences from living six years in Korea – one immersing in its culture and language, the other navigating its high-powered corporate world. From chaebols and work culture to deep-rooted traditions and Indo-Korean ties, they offer a rare Indian perspective on life in the Land of Morning Calm.
More than a travelogue, Seoulmates unpacks the real Korea – its rapid rise, its social fabric and the many pressures on it, and the lessons India can draw from its phenomenal success.
South Korea is a global force today – an economic powerhouse, a tech innovator and the heart of the K-Wave that is taking the world by storm. But beyond the glitz of K-Pop and K-Dramas,what is it like to live there as an Indian?
In this eye-opening book, Sudha Huzurbazar Tumbe and Vasudev Tumbe share their first-hand experiences from living six years in Korea – one immersing in its culture and language, the other navigating its high-powered corporate world. From chaebols and work culture to deep-rooted traditions and Indo-Korean ties, they offer a rare Indian perspective on life in the Land of Morning Calm.
More than a travelogue, Seoulmates unpacks the real Korea – its rapid rise, its social fabric and the many pressures on it, and the lessons India can draw from its phenomenal success.
Author Bios:
Sudha Huzurbazar Tumbe is a Marathi writer, teacher and counsellor. She is the author of Saptarangi Korea: Ek Anubhav, published by Granthali in 2022, and Rang Jeevanche (2025). She is a polyglot, fluent in six languages, including Korean. She has been associated with various institutions as a teacher or counsellor in Mumbai, such as VJTI, SNDT, National Association for Blind, Lotus Eye Hospital and College of Optometry. In South Korea, Sudha volunteered for the Seoul Namdaemun Police, Anna’s House and Korea Dyslexia Association, and was appointed as the Gangnam publicity ambassador.
Vasudev Tumbe joined Mahindra & Mahindra, Mumbai, in 1982 as a professional cricketer, having represented and captained Mumbai and West Zone Under-22 and university cricket teams. Being a qualified cost accountant, he worked in various roles in finance, accounts and costing, and was vice president (finance & accounts, automotive division) from 2008 to 2013 before going to South Korea. From July 2013 to December 2019, he was the vice president and CFO of SsangYong Motor Company, South Korea, a listed USD 3 billion subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra. He also served on the board of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK) from 2013 to 2019 and was its chairman from August 2017 to December 2019, closely working with the Indian embassy in South Korea to promote India–Korea trade and investment.
Sudha Huzurbazar Tumbe is a Marathi writer, teacher and counsellor. She is the author of Saptarangi Korea: Ek Anubhav, published by Granthali in 2022, and Rang Jeevanche (2025). She is a polyglot, fluent in six languages, including Korean. She has been associated with various institutions as a teacher or counsellor in Mumbai, such as VJTI, SNDT, National Association for Blind, Lotus Eye Hospital and College of Optometry. In South Korea, Sudha volunteered for the Seoul Namdaemun Police, Anna’s House and Korea Dyslexia Association, and was appointed as the Gangnam publicity ambassador.
Vasudev Tumbe joined Mahindra & Mahindra, Mumbai, in 1982 as a professional cricketer, having represented and captained Mumbai and West Zone Under-22 and university cricket teams. Being a qualified cost accountant, he worked in various roles in finance, accounts and costing, and was vice president (finance & accounts, automotive division) from 2008 to 2013 before going to South Korea. From July 2013 to December 2019, he was the vice president and CFO of SsangYong Motor Company, South Korea, a listed USD 3 billion subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra. He also served on the board of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK) from 2013 to 2019 and was its chairman from August 2017 to December 2019, closely working with the Indian embassy in South Korea to promote India–Korea trade and investment.
