Begimai Kaa kieva, a native of the village of Ak-Korgon in the Talas region, was born in 1996. She is currently married and raising a son with her husband. For the past few years, their family has been living in South Korea. “My parents were educators: my father initially taught elementary classes and later became a school principal; unfortunately, he has passed away,” she recounts.
“My mother teaches algebra and geometry. Since the sixth grade, I attended a school with a focus on computer technology, and then I continued my studies in Bishkek, where I studied in the pharmaceutical department of a medical college. During my studies, I met my future husband through friends. He is Korean, and we met thanks to his relatives. His name is Jinsu. We communicated on social media for about six months, after which he came to Bishkek to meet my family. Moving to Korea was never my dream—I couldn't even imagine it. But it seems that it was destined by fate,” Begimai shares.
Now, Begimai has been living in Korea for seven years. “At first, we settled in Seoul, and after the birth of our son, who will soon go to school, we moved to Naju. My husband works as an architect in a private firm,” she explains.
Her husband's family turned out to be very kind and welcoming. Begimai is especially pleased with her mother-in-law's attitude, who, despite the difference in nationalities, treats her like a daughter. “My mother-in-law takes care of me, buys groceries, and loves her grandson very much. Koreans amaze me with their simplicity and friendliness; they always smile and greet each other. Some traditions are similar to ours. For example, at the table, the father-in-law would start eating first, then the mother-in-law, and only then the others, although this rule is now observed less strictly. When my husband's relatives come to visit, I try to get up early and prepare something,” she says.
Since Begimai is not very familiar with Korean cuisine, they often order food, as it is not much different in price from homemade meals. “In Korea, there is a strong respect for elders, and hierarchy plays a significant role here. Traditions are strictly observed, especially during major holidays and parents' birthdays. Pregnant women are given special attention; they are advised to rest more and not to stress. In Korea, surnames are passed down through the paternal line and do not change—if your surname is Kim, it remains that way forever,” she adds.
According to Begimai, Korean mothers pay a lot of attention to their children. From an early age, their children are taken to various clubs, made to read books, and they have almost no free time: taekwondo, music lessons, and learning English are mandatory elements of their schedules.
The government actively supports families by issuing special coupons for shopping in stores. Single mothers receive assistance with housing costs or support until their children reach adulthood.
There are specialized centers for foreigners in Korea that teach the Korean language and cooking, as well as help resolve various issues, including providing translators. “We often meet with other Kyrgyzstani people—many of them work in cafes and factories. When I first arrived in Korea, I worked in a cosmetics company. At first, it was difficult due to the language barrier, but over time I learned it. In the future, I dream of opening my own cosmetics store,” Begimai Kaa kieva shares her plans.
Gallery: Begimai Kaa kieva, a native of the Talas region.
