Fred, a Ghanaian living in South Korea and a father of one, recently appeared once again on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami. He shared insights about life abroad, parenting, and the challenges faced by African immigrants in Korea.
Fred explained that he and his wife decided to have only one child for now because raising many children could make life financially difficult. “Having too many kids can slow you down,” he said. “I brought my last born to South Korea so I could help care for the baby myself. That way, my wife and I can both work and support the family.”
However, life in South Korea hasn’t been without its struggles. Fred revealed that there has been an ongoing immigration crackdown, and one of his friends was recently arrested. “He connected me with three other Ghanaians who were also picked up by the police while walking outside. They’re all currently behind bars,” he said.
Despite working hard, Fred feels he hasn’t yet reached his full goals. “I haven’t achieved what I want yet,” he admitted. “Even though I can afford a mansion, a car, and a trip around the world, I still don’t feel accomplished. There’s more I want to do.”
Fred has also tried sending cars back home to Ghana as a side business, but it hasn’t been very profitable. “I once sent a car to Ghana, and it stayed there for over five months. After all that, I made just $60 profit,” he explained. “Cars are cheaper here, but selling them in Ghana doesn’t bring much. I can make more profit selling in Liberia than in Ghana.”
Discussing relationships, Fred noted that dating in South Korea can be challenging for Africans. “The women here don’t really like Africans. They prefer Black Americans over Africans,” he said. “When I first came, I met Korean ladies on dating apps, but eventually, I met my wife in person, and we got married.”
He also cautioned others about false promises from agents. “Any agent who tells you that you can easily get permanent residency in Japan or Korea is lying. The only real way is to marry a citizen. Africans who come here work 24/7, and most use dating apps that foreigners barely know about,” he added.
Fred’s story sheds light on the realities of life abroad — the sacrifices, challenges, and lessons that come with chasing success far from home.