Apart from being a popular travel destination, Korea is the perfect place for couples and hopeless romantics who are looking for a romantic getaway. As seen in the country’s influx of K-drama series, which attracts viewers from all over the world, Korea is almost like a celebration of all things love.
Lovestruck millennials in Korea have one thing in common – they all desire to make their own love story, complete with the perfect fairytale ending. South Korea, in particular, very much permeates romance as ideal relationships are always in the minds of the people. Undeniably, Korean dating culture places much emphasis on expressiveness. Let’s dive deeper into what the dating culture is like in Korea.
Korean couples like to wear matching outfits
Koreans are arguably the most fashion-forward people in Asia, that’s why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that for them, what you wear can also express how you feel. Other countries might think couple outfits are odd, but Koreans like to match their outfit with that of their significant other because they see it as a declaration of love for the world to see. It doesn’t matter if the outfits are an exact replica or not, just as long as the outfits match in style or colour.
In addition, if the couple is known to don a trendy style, they can be seen as a “power couple” which is a relationship flex because only couples that tick all the #relationshipgoals boxes are worthy of such a title. Try visiting Korea and you will most likely see lovebirds wearing the same or coordinated outfits.
Matchmaking thrives until today
Modern trends aside, one of the things about Korean dating that you might not know about is that the old practice of matchmaking is still very much practised today, but not in the way that it was traditionally done. In the past, appointed matchmakers held the responsibility of pairing two people for marriage. But nowadays, friends are the ones who are doing the cupid’s work.
While the rest of the world would prefer to leave meeting their significant other in the hands of fate, Koreans would very much rather attend 소개팅 “sogaeting” which is sort of like a blind date arranged by mutual acquaintances.
Young singles in Korea rely on their friends to help them meet new faces and potentially find their other half. Knowing that the other party shares a common friend is an added reassurance that they are on similar wavelengths and will make for meaningful interactions.
Public displays of affection are a no-go
While Koreans who share platonic relationships tend to be touchy, couples, on the other hand, express their sentiments differently. Because PDA (or public display of affection) among couples is considered taboo in Korea, couples tend to keep their physical acts of intimacy private.
Even though the rest of the world is slowly transitioning from being romantically conservative to being open-minded, it is far less common to see public displays of affection happening on the streets except for things like holding hands and forehead kisses.
Korea has holidays dedicated to romance
Most countries consider the 14th of February as the day dedicated to love, and that’s it. But in Korea, love holidays go beyond Valentine’s Day. In fact, young couples in the country celebrate love and romance 12 times a year! These special occasions might technically be “off the calendar”, but Korean couples still consider the 14th of every month as a significant day for them to shower their partner with their love.
Complete with “monthsaries” and anniversaries, couples in Korea like to make each other feel special every month, be it through a surprise dinner for two or even a simple gift. When you’re in Korea, there’s always a reason to celebrate love!
Conclusion
Every country in the world has its way of dating and unique views on romance, and Korea isn’t any different. But because of how it approaches love and relationships, you definitely wouldn’t want to miss out on exploring the culture in Korea if you and your partner are planning to go on a romantic escapade.
If you’re planning to get a firmer grip on the different cultures in Korea, you should consider familiarising yourself with their language by enlisting yourself in a reliable Korean language course in Singapore. At Sejong Korean Language School, we provide one of the best Korean language classes you’ll find in the Lion City, all of which are taught by native Korean speakers who are dedicated to guiding you through every learning curve!