One might think of South Korea as a largely homogenous society but given the steady rise in migration, the country is on the verge of becoming Asia’s first fully-fledged multicultural nation. In recent years, Hallyu – the Korean Wave that has brought Korean pop culture to the global stage – has helped position capital city Seoul as a dynamic hub where creatives from around the world can converge and thrive. This includes a growing community of Africans and African descendants who have been carving out a place for themselves, staying true to their heritage while cultivating cross-cultural exchanges.

We spoke with four of these boundary-pushing creatives, each leaving their mark in their own unique way. Meet Moon, a rapper from France with Central African, Senegalese and Vietnamese roots; Lindsay Ryklief, a DJ and photographer from South Africa who co-founded JOL, a collective and party series celebrating African music and providing a safe space for the POC and the LGBT+ communities; Nadhir Adala, a French-Tunisian creative director and Andy Sama, a Paris-born photographer and videographer of Caribbean and Congolese descent.

What brought you to Seoul and how has your journey been so far?

Moon: Music. I initially came for auditions but I soon shifted to social media influencing to extend my stay. And after starring on the Korean TV show Rap:Public I realised my career has actually just started. It’s been a challenge gaining acceptance as an artist from both fellow local artists and the public. I’d be lying if I said my idea of Korea wasn’t influenced by how it is portrayed in K-dramas. The convenience stores, the wide roads, the skyscrapers next to the traditional houses – that’s all real!

Lindsay: I moved to Seoul to teach English. Initially, the language barrier was a challenge but I found cultural similarities between South Korea and South Africa, which made the adjustment process easier. I soon became immersed in the city's underground club culture and Seoul’s LGBTQ+ community, embracing my true self and creative passions along the way. Looking back, moving here was the best decision I could have made.

Nadhir: I first came as an exchange student and after completing the programme, I returned home to start working. A chance encounter at a showroom event, made possible by my ability to speak Korean, led me to relocate to Seoul. I was excited but also aware of the challenges ahead. I faced my fair share of culture shocks but I was ready and willing to adapt and it turned out to be far more rewarding than I ever imagined.

Andy: I also first came as an exchange student and was immediately fascinated. I then returned to Seoul in 2022 to work with a clothing brand I had been collaborating with remotely for some time. What surprised me the most was how quickly I built a network. Despite visa issues, I achieved in three months what took me years in Paris.

What influence does Seoul play in your artistic process?

Moon: I get inspired by Seoul every day. It’s a city where anything is possible but you must work hard for it. Being on the TV show helped me grow and better understand what kind of artist I want to be.

Lindsay: Seoul serves as both a backdrop and a source of inspiration for my work. For example, in my photography, I focus on capturing individuals often marginalised or misunderstood within mainstream Korean society. It’s also the city where I have reached several professional and personal milestones. Here I came out as a gay man; I established myself as a DJ and a photographer, from being featured on Boiler Room to publishing my first photography book, Boys of Seoul. And I’ve connected with Jade Chaunelle, a talented local DJ of West African and Caribbean descent who performs under the moniker KING SHE and with whom I co-founded JOL.

Nadhir: Seoul’s contrasts – tradition and modernity, fast-paced energy and quiet moments – are a constant source of inspiration. A meaningful experience was working with a Korean brand on a project featuring Arab African artists. We created a limited-edition collection with Arabic and Korean calligraphy side by side to share a message of peace. It was so special to see locals wearing it – my two worlds colliding.

Andy: Seoul is an incredibly dynamic city, full of creative energy. It is here that I began taking photography and videography more seriously. It’s also been meaningful to build connections with a small but vibrant community of people from Guadeloupe, Martinique, Congo, Nigeria and Ghana. We have given each other support and a sense of belonging in a place where there aren’t many of us.

How has living in Seoul informed the way you view your heritage?

Moon: Being of both African and Asian heritage, I was raised to embrace and be proud of both cultures. My music is influenced by my roots – everything from the rhythms, to the lyrics and the visuals. I also look to the K-hip hop scene, especially that of about eight years ago, when artists like Keith Ape, Dean, Fanxy Child, and the AOMG label were making waves.

Lindsay: Before coming to Seoul, I didn’t question my heritage deeply but coming here sparked introspection. I identify as Coloured, a South African classification with complex cultural and historical significance. It describes a unique group with its own rich heritage and dialect. Growing up as a Coloured male in South Africa, societal expectations around masculinity were rigid. In Seoul, these restrictions seemed non-existent and this inspired my photography. Musically, I was deeply influenced by the diverse sounds in my family home and trailblazing South African artists of the GQOM scene like DJ LAG, ESA, and FAKA, as well as deep house artists like Black Coffee and Culeo de Song.

Nadhir: Living in Seoul has strengthened my pride in my heritage because being

Franco-Tunisian here has been an advantage. I’ve felt that people were genuinely curious about my background. I know what it feels like when a culture is misrepresented or reduced to stereotypes. That’s why I ensure my work references cultural values, symbols and stories authentically and respectfully. Looking to North Africa, fashion label Maison ARTC, photographer Mous Lamrabat and artist eL Seed are all influences on me.

Andy: Compared to Paris, it’s rarer to encounter people with a Caribbean-Congolese background in Seoul, but living here has helped me appreciate my culture on a much deeper level. My heritage deeply shapes how I see the world and subsequently my creative vision. For instance, my photography style often has a warmer tone compared to the local aesthetic. I am also constantly inspired by the people I collaborate with who come from a variety of places, from Slovakia to Sweden to Vietnam, and I am fascinated by K-pop’s and Korean brands’ approach to fashion and marketing.

How do you hope your work and the creative contributions of fellow African diasporic creatives will leave a mark?

Moon: As the first Black rapper on Rap:Public, I sometimes felt out of place, even though I am a descendant of those who invented hip hop, but I didn’t let it discourage me. The diasporic community’s impact on the cultural landscape still feels small but I hope my work will help locals discover something new and inspire others like me to pursue their dreams.

Lindsay: One of the biggest hurdles is ensuring authenticity and fair representation as music genres pioneered by the African diaspora gain popularity in Seoul. Since 2017, through JOL, I’ve worked to bridge the gap between South African artists and Korea and provide a platform for the POC community in Seoul. Back then, there wasn’t much focus on Afro, Global, or South African music in the city’s music scene but we are shining a light on these genres.

Nadhir: Representation can feel limited but it also creates opportunities for future creatives. Though we’re still a growing community, I believe we’re leaving a mark with fresh perspectives. Engaging in these conversations and making sure our voices are heard is crucial. I hope my work creates a space for meaningful cultural exchanges and inspires others to embrace their roots unapologetically.

Andy: Being part of the African diaspora brings opportunities, but Korean bureaucracy isn’t designed for foreign creatives to thrive. It requires a lot of persistence and adaptability. However, I hope my work shows it is possible to succeed while staying true to one’s heritage. As our community continues to grow and gain visibility, I aim to stress that African identity is multifaceted.