Malaysian Tourist Shares Racism Experience In Seoul From First Day
Malaysian Tourist Faces Racism on First Day in Seoul
A Malaysian traveller’s first day in Seoul, South Korea, took a disappointing turn after he faced two incidents of racism on public transport — all within his first 24 hours in the country.
Passengers Avoided Sitting Beside Him
Posting under the handle @reefkey_, the tourist shared his experience on social media, detailing how several Korean passengers actively avoided sitting next to him.
The most notable encounter happened on a KTX high-speed train, when a Korean woman refused to sit beside him and attempted to rearrange seats with another passenger instead.
“She asked the guy sitting beside me if he could sit there instead,” he said in his video.
He added, “I was very confused… I saw these two people trying to figure out the seating situation.”
“The Tan Factor” — Skin Tone as a Possible Reason
This wasn’t the only moment that raised eyebrows. The tourist noted a recurring pattern where Korean women on trains would shift away whenever he sat near them.
Although he tried to stay unfazed, he couldn’t help but reflect on the possible reason — his skin tone.
“I don’t remember experiencing this the first time I visited Korea when I wasn’t tanned,” he observed.
His remarks have reignited conversations around colourism in East Asia, where fair skin is often socially idealised, while darker skin tones can result in implicit bias or discomfort.
Choosing to Respond with Composure
Despite the unpleasant encounters, the Malaysian tourist chose not to escalate the situation. He said he reminded himself to avoid arguments and maintain composure, especially as a foreigner in someone else’s country.
“Don’t engage in any arguments if possible, because you are in their country,” he shared.
Rather than ending his trip early, he treated the experience as something worth sharing and hoped it would add to ongoing discussions about racial attitudes abroad.
A Broader Conversation on Discrimination
His post has since gained traction, with many netizens expressing support and sharing their own experiences of subtle racism and colourism while travelling in East Asia.
While some believe the incidents could have been coincidence or misinterpretation, others argue that the pattern of avoidance and discomfort suggests a deeper cultural bias — one that many Southeast Asians may quietly experience when travelling abroad.
Source: TRP
