South African Woman Shares Cash Grant Experience in Korea: "SA Government Must Take Notes"

• A South African woman living in Korea shared how she allgedly received a government payout through her marriage to a Korean citizen
• Her story, posted on TikTok, quickly went viral as viewers reacted to the cultural and financial differences it revealed
• The clip sparked conversations about life abroad, economic support, and the unexpected perks of living in another country

South Africans were intrigued by a viral video of a woman living in Korea who allegedly received a cash grant, sparking debates about life abroad and financial support systems.

A South African woman living abroad recently shared a surprising update about her life in Korea that caught the attention of TikTok users. Posted on 25 July 2025 by creator @lithakazimeyilechoi, the video quickly gained traction, racking up more than 17,000 likes and sparking over 200 comments from curious followers.

In the clip, she explained how she received a R2,000 payout from the Korean government. The grant is part of an initiative introduced in the country to encourage local spending and boost consumption amid recession concerns. What made her story stand out is that, although she is South African, her marriage to a Korean citizen made her eligible to receive the benefit as well.

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For viewers, the update was not only about the money itself but also about the differences in government approaches between countries. She playfully compared Korea’s support to South Africa’s systems, saying that the local government back home could take a page from Korea’s book. While her tone was light-hearted, her experience sparked conversations about the role governments play in supporting households during tough economic times.

Life abroad sparks conversations

The video also highlighted the realities of living abroad as a South African married to a foreign national. Her content often reflects cultural differences, daily life, and the small surprises that come with navigating a new system.

The response online was lively, with South Africans chiming in to share their thoughts on how such initiatives could work locally. Others were simply fascinated by her glimpse into Korean life, appreciating the personal spin she added to what could otherwise be a technical policy detail.

In the end, her post became more than just an update about money. It became a conversation starter about opportunity, privilege, and the contrasting ways different governments try to ease financial pressures on their people.

Mzansi reacted to the video

Rindzi The Great said:

"Wait until you have a baby. 😂❤️ They will even send you a cake! 🍰"

Gee said:

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"Chomi o ngwetsi koo ya bone, yaanong problem ya rona banna ba nyetse ebe ba nna ko gabo mosadi 'South Africa'."

Imelda.Millions said:

"Girl, connect us to the Korean brothers on that side. 😂😂😂"

Candace, also living in Korea, said:

"This is the BARE Minimum. 🙌🏾👏🏾💍💅🏾 Don’t have a baby because they’ll be sick to see how many MORE benefits WILL roll in. 😂"

Puleng Selela said:

"Here we get R350. 😂😂😂 You're lucky you escaped this corrupt country."

The food godmother said:

"I hear you ne but I also can’t hear you over all this beauty. 😍 You might not know it, but you are a true testament of faith. ❤️"

Ceebu said:

"Ndinaye u husband ne but ngumxhosa andfumani ne 1 cent ngaye kule Europe. 😂😂😂 Ndicela u sbali andizame nge second husband lol."

Thandokazi Busakwe said:

"Ngathi ndizo phephetheka ndiye Korea sana, andizokwazi utshata o Sbu mna ndigezelwa ndingazo fumana ne cent kwa Government. 😭😭"

Check out the TikTok video below:

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Although it remains unclear whether foreigners marrying locals qualify for benefits, the South Korean government is stepping up efforts to promote marriage. According to The Korea Times, districts like Busan’s Saha District are offering newlyweds up to 20 million won (about R280,000) in grants, which include dating allowances, engagement subsidies, and honeymoon support. The move aims to address declining birth and marriage rates, but experts warn that financial incentives alone won’t solve deeper issues like costly housing, job insecurity, and shifting societal norms.

3 Briefly News stories about living abroad

• A man shared a heartfelt video about the struggles of living abroad, highlighting the emotional and financial pressures that many migrants face.
• A South African woman living in Europe shared that she met Nigerians in her Italian class, prompting lively discussions online.
• A South African woman with experience living overseas posted a TikTok video where she discussed the differences, focusing on the financial aspect.

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Updated by Hilary Sekgota, Human Interest HOD at Briefly News.

Source: Briefly News