By Honorary Reporter Nsikak Ekere from Nigeria

Photos = Aisha Ba

What started as a sabbatical in Korea in 2019 turned into a life-altering journey for Aisha Ba, an Italian who took a break from her Ph.D. studies in economics for what was initially a six-month stay.

Her decision led to an extraordinary change in career. The daughter of an Italian mother and a Senegalese father, Ba has graced the runway at Seoul Fashion Week, appeared in ads for Samsung, and performed in productions with K-pop stars like BTS, BoA and Lisa of BLACKPINK. 

Ba also found love and marriage in Korea. She and her Korean husband have two children, and she has an Instagram following of 291,000 subscribers. 

Creating content on slow living in Korea and Italy, Ba through her vlogs and posts showcase fashion, beauty, wellness and cultural experiences in Korea.

The following are excerpts from an email interview with Ba on April 21. 

Aisha Ba has worked as a model in Korea for brands like Samsung (left) and walked the runway at the 2019 Seoul Fashion Week.

Describe your journey from Italy to Korea.

I'm from South Tyrol in northern Italy. What began as a six-month break from my Ph.D. studies in applied economics transformed into an incredible new life in Korea. I'm a content creator, model and mother of two, sharing my experiences through social media. The move opened unexpected doors, from modeling for major brands to performing in K-pop productions, and most importantly, meeting my husband and starting a family that bridges our two cultures. This journey taught me that sometimes the most rewarding paths are unexpected.

How has working in Korea's entertainment industry been for you?

I've had the privilege of working with some incredible artists and brands. I've appeared in commercial projects with global icons like BTS, Lisa and (actor) Hyun Bin, who showed remarkable professionalism and kindness behind the scenes. I've also danced in BoA's music video and G-Dragon's Nike campaign, truly surreal experiences that gave me deep appreciation for K-pop production. 

My modeling career started in Italy and has flourished here, allowing me to work with major Korean and international brands while promoting diversity in the industry.

Living with her Korean husband and their two children, Ba creates content about their daily life in Korea.

How do you maintain work-life balance and content creation?

Balancing family life with career requires careful planning. I work during daycare hours, save weekends for family and integrate my content creation into daily life. My vlogs and social media focus on authentic storytelling by sharing our family life, cultural experiences, beauty routines and the art of slow living. I aim to create content that offers a genuine glimpse into life as an expat mother in Korea while inspiring and connecting with others on similar journeys.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.