If you have spent any time exploring content about Indian creators living abroad, chances are you have come across the name Poonam Naruka — or as millions of fans know her, “Pooh in Korea.” She is one of the most recognized Indian-Italian content creators of her generation, known for her warm personality, sharp wit, and deeply engaging vlogs about life in South Korea. People across India, Italy, and South Korea follow her YouTube channel with genuine enthusiasm, and many fans regularly search for details about Poonam Naruka age, her early life, how she built her career from scratch, and what her daily life looks like today.
This article covers everything you need to know about Poonam Naruka — from her childhood in Jaipur and Turin, to her Master’s degree in Pharmacy, to her meteoric rise on YouTube with over five million subscribers. Whether you are a long-time fan or someone discovering her for the first time, this detailed guide will give you the full picture of who she is and why her story is so compelling.
Who Is Poonam Naruka?
Poonam Naruka, widely known by her YouTube persona “Pooh in Korea,” is an Indian-Italian YouTuber, pharmacist, and model who currently lives in Seoul, South Korea. She was born on August 17, 1995, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, and grew up primarily in Turin, Italy. Her multicultural upbringing — Indian by origin, Italian by upbringing, and Korean by adoption — forms the foundation of everything she creates.
Her content is rooted in authenticity. She gives viewers a genuine window into what it feels like to be a foreigner navigating life, culture, food, and friendships in South Korea. From CVS food challenges that rack up millions of views, to honest discussions about learning the Korean language from zero, Poonam has built something rare in the digital world — a community that trusts her.
Poonam Naruka Age and Date of Birth
One of the most searched questions about this creator is simply: how old is Poonam Naruka? The answer is straightforward.
Poonam Naruka age is 30 years old as of 2026. She was born on August 17, 1995, which makes her a Leo by zodiac sign. Leos are traditionally associated with confidence, creativity, and natural leadership — traits that describe Poonam’s on-camera presence and entrepreneurial spirit perfectly.
Many fans are surprised to learn that Poonam Naruka age is already 30, because she carries an energy and enthusiasm on camera that feels remarkably youthful. Her journey from a small-town girl in Jaipur to an internationally recognized content creator is all the more impressive given how much she has accomplished before turning 31.
Early Life and Family Background
Growing Up Between Two Cultures
Poonam was born in Jaipur, India, but her family relocated to Turin, Italy, when she was very young. Her mother is Indian and her father is Italian, which gave her an early exposure to two entirely different cultures, languages, and ways of life. This multicultural upbringing is something she speaks about often and credits as a key reason why she has always been comfortable adapting to new environments.
Growing up in Turin meant that Poonam was immersed in Italian culture, food, and language from a very early age. At the same time, her Indian roots remained strong through family traditions, Hindi language, and the values her mother instilled in her. This balance between two worlds helped shape her into the “melting pot of cultures” she describes herself as on her social media profiles.
Family Members
Poonam is quite private when it comes to her parents’ identities and details. However, fans know that she has two younger brothers — Ajay Naruka and Abhay Naruka — both of whom have appeared in her content and are extremely supportive of her career. In one memorable moment, one of her brothers surprised her by gifting her the latest iPhone as a token of support for her hard work. Her mother also makes occasional appearances on her YouTube channel, and fans clearly adore those moments.
Education: A True Academic Achiever
Master’s Degree in Pharmacy
Poonam Naruka is not just a content creator — she is a highly qualified professional. She completed her Master’s degree in Pharmacy from the Università degli Studi di Torino (University of Turin), and by all accounts, she was not just a passing student. Reports indicate that she finished among the top rankers in her entire batch, which speaks to her dedication and intellectual ability.
University of Cambridge and Korean Language Studies
Her academic journey did not stop in Turin. She later pursued additional studies at the prestigious University of Cambridge, broadening her academic credentials even further. After moving to South Korea, she enrolled in a Korean language program at Chonnam National University in Gwangju, which gave her both the linguistic tools and cultural context she needed to truly connect with local audiences.
This combination of scientific expertise, elite academic training, and language skills is part of what makes Poonam so unique among lifestyle content creators. She is not simply someone who decided to pick up a camera — she is a woman who has genuinely invested in her own growth across multiple disciplines.
Career Journey: From Pharmacist to YouTube Star
Starting as a Pharmacist
After completing her Master’s degree, Poonam worked as a pharmacist. Even as her YouTube career grew rapidly, she has spoken about maintaining her professional identity as a pharmacist. The discipline required to complete a Master’s in Pharmacy and practice professionally has clearly influenced how seriously she approaches her content creation work.
Moving to South Korea in 2018
In 2018, Poonam arrived in South Korea — a move that would change the course of her life entirely. She came initially to pursue further studies, but quickly fell in love with the country’s culture, food, and people. It was during this period that she decided to start recording her daily life and share it on YouTube.
Her very first video was titled “My First Time in Korea,” and it set the tone for everything that followed — honest, warm, curious, and deeply personal.
Building “Pooh in Korea”
What began as personal documentation of a foreigner’s experience quickly grew into something much larger. Her early content focused on learning Korean from scratch, and the relatability of watching someone go from zero knowledge to genuine fluency struck a chord with millions of viewers — particularly Indians who were curious about Korean culture, K-pop, and life abroad.
A few things made her content stand out from the beginning:
- CVS (Convenience Store) Food Challenges — These videos became her most viral content, with many earning between 7 and 9 million views individually.
- Korean Language Tips and Tutorials — Her background as a disciplined student made her teaching style both structured and easy to follow.
- Honest Daily Life Vlogs — She showed the ups and downs of being a foreigner in South Korea without sugarcoating difficulties.
- Cultural Comparisons — Drawing from her Indian, Italian, and Korean experiences, she offered perspectives that few creators could match.
Growth Milestones
- In 2018, she launched her channel and published her first vlog.
- Within a few years, she crossed the 1 million subscriber mark.
- As of 2026, her YouTube channel “Pooh in Korea” has surpassed 5.93 million subscribers.
- She has also earned both the YouTube Silver Play Button and the YouTube Gold Play Button as official recognition of her growth.
- Her Instagram account has grown to over 1.1 million followers.
Physical Appearance
Fans are frequently curious about Poonam Naruka’s physical details, which are a natural part of any public figure’s profile. She stands at approximately 5 feet 4 inches (164 cm) tall and weighs around 112 pounds (51 kg). She has light brown eyes and naturally black hair, which she styles differently across her content. Her appearance reflects her mixed Indian-Italian heritage in a graceful way that her audience consistently admires.
Modeling and Media Appearances
Beyond YouTube and pharmacy, Poonam has also ventured into modeling and media. She has appeared in music videos, most notably in Saaj Bhatt’s “Dil Churane Lage Ho,” which introduced her to a new audience outside of the YouTube space.
Her popularity has also led to television appearances in South Korea itself. She was featured on KBS (Korean Broadcasting Station), one of South Korea’s main national TV channels, which is a significant recognition for a foreign content creator. This appearance signaled that she is not just popular within the Indian diaspora but has become a genuine cultural figure in South Korea.
International brands have also taken notice. Multiple global brands have approached her for ambassador partnerships, and she regularly collaborates with Korean beauty brands, tourism boards, and lifestyle companies.
Net Worth and Earnings
How Much Does Poonam Naruka Earn?
Given Poonam Naruka age of 30 and the level of success she has achieved, many fans are curious about her financial standing.
As of 2026, Poonam Naruka’s estimated net worth is between $1.5 million and $1.7 million. The estimated monthly earnings fall in the range of $20,000 to $50,000, depending on content output and active sponsorship deals.
Her primary income streams include:
- YouTube Ad Revenue — Analytics estimates suggest her channel generates approximately $300,000 to $470,000 annually from ads alone.
- Brand Partnerships and Sponsorships — Korean beauty, lifestyle, and tourism brands regularly collaborate with her.
- Instagram Collaborations — With over 1.1 million followers, her Instagram commands strong partnership fees.
- Television Appearances — Appearances on Korean TV shows add a premium income layer.
- Online Merchandise and Content — Various digital and physical product collaborations contribute to her earnings.
Her financial success is a direct reflection of the trust and loyalty she has built with her audience over many years of consistent, authentic content.
Personal Life: Relationships and Lifestyle
Relationship Status
As of early 2026, Poonam Naruka is currently single. She has not publicly disclosed any romantic relationships in recent years. Earlier reports had mentioned a relationship with a person named Kris, but she has not spoken about this publicly in recent years, and fans respect her privacy on the matter.
She has not been married and does not have children.
Pets and Daily Life
One of the most beloved details about Poonam’s personal life is her miniature poodle, Mong Mong. She purchased Mong Mong for KRW 400,000 using her YouTube earnings and a Korean university scholarship — and has since featured the dog regularly in her videos. Mong Mong has become something of a fan favorite in its own right.
Poonam recently relocated from Gwangju to Seoul, South Korea, where she now lives and works. Her daily life revolves around content creation, travel, photography, and caring for Mong Mong.
Interests and Hobbies
- Travel and cultural exploration
- Photography and videography
- Korean language and culture
- Music — she is a well-known fan of BTS and was even invited to attend BTS’s concert in Busan, an experience she documented for her followers.
Awards and Recognition
Poonam Naruka has received several notable awards and recognitions throughout her career:
- YouTube Silver Play Button — Awarded upon crossing 100,000 subscribers.
- YouTube Gold Play Button — Awarded upon crossing 1,000,000 subscribers.
- Global Influencer Award — A prestigious recognition of her impact as a cross-cultural content creator.
- KBS Television Feature — Being featured on Korea’s main national broadcaster is a significant honor for any foreign content creator.
Why Poonam Naruka Inspires So Many People
The reason Poonam Naruka’s story resonates with so many people goes beyond her subscriber count or net worth. She represents something genuinely rare: a woman who built a meaningful career across three different countries, in three different languages, without ever abandoning who she is.
Considering Poonam Naruka age is only 30, her list of achievements is remarkable. She graduated at the top of her university class, worked professionally as a pharmacist, moved to a country where she knew no one and spoke no Korean, learned the language, built a digital empire, won international awards, and appeared on national television — all while remaining warm, grounded, and accessible to her audience.
For young Indians who dream of studying or working abroad, she is proof that it is possible to adapt to a completely foreign environment without losing your cultural identity. For aspiring content creators, she is an example of what consistency and authenticity can achieve over time.
Quick Facts Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Poonam Naruka |
| Nickname | Pooh |
| Date of Birth | August 17, 1995 |
| Poonam Naruka Age (2026) | 30 years old |
| Birthplace | Jaipur, Rajasthan, India |
| Nationality | Indian-Italian |
| Current Residence | Seoul, South Korea |
| Education | M.Pharm – University of Turin; Cambridge; Chonnam National University |
| YouTube Channel | Pooh in Korea |
| Subscribers | 5.93 million+ |
| Instagram Followers | 1.1 million+ |
| Net Worth (2026) | $1.5–$1.7 million |
| Pet | Mong Mong (miniature poodle) |
| Relationship Status | Single |
Conclusion
Poonam Naruka is far more than a YouTube personality. She is a pharmacist, a model, a linguist, a cultural bridge-builder, and an inspiration to millions of people who follow her journey. When you understand the full story behind Poonam Naruka age, her education, her multicultural background, and the sheer discipline it took to build what she has built, the admiration her fans feel for her makes complete sense.
At just 30 years old, she has already accomplished more than most people do in a lifetime. Her channel “Pooh in Korea” continues to grow, and her influence in the worlds of Korean culture, travel, and digital content shows no signs of slowing down.
If you have not yet explored her YouTube channel, this is your call-to-action: head to “Pooh in Korea” on YouTube, start with one of her CVS food challenge videos, and see for yourself why millions of people around the world have made her a part of their daily lives.