This paper examines the unprecedented decisions made in the 1910s by the group of young Korean men and their real-life experiences in Nanyang. We trace the men's agony, stemming from their personal situations shaped by the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910 and the Xinhai Revolution in 1911, to explain their decision to migrate to Nanyang. We also shed light on the young men's perceptions of Nanyang based on their everyday life and their experiences and observations. What role did their three-year experience in Nanyang play in shaping their perceptions of the realities of local society and various cultural phenomena? Observations regarding their experiences on boat trips or in leisure activities are also valuable for studying their perceptions.