Dating a Korean guy can be very different from what you might’ve imagined.
Here are some highlights of what to expect!
Quick Summary
- Korean dating culture emphasizes showing care through gestures.
- Korean men indeed hold your bag, give you his coat on a cold evening, drive you home, and throw many surprise events with gifts.
- If you get a ring from a Korean boyfriend, it doesn’t necessarily mean a proposal.
- Expect lots of messages and phone calls.
- The standard Korean date course is a restaurant, then a coffee shop.
1. Expect Lots of Thoughtful Dates and Gestures
Korean guys often put extra effort into dates, which can feel straight out of a K-drama.
You might be surprised by how thoughtful and sweet they can be.
They don’t just plan romantic trips. They pay attention to little details, like remembering how you take your coffee or which K-pop song you’ve been obsessed with.
It’s true that Korean men hold your bag, give you their coat on a cold evening, and drive you home even if it’s out of their way.
Many also love throwing surprise events, from small gifts to elaborate birthday celebrations.
Even if he’s not naturally romantic, he might make an effort because Korean dating culture emphasizes grand gestures.
2. Don’t Expect a Wedding Proposal When You Get a Ring
If you get a ring from a Korean boyfriend, don’t assume it’s a proposal.
Unlike in Western cultures, where giving a ring is a major step toward engagement, Korean couples get rings to celebrate relationship milestones.
The most common time for couple rings is the 100th day of dating, a uniquely Korean tradition where couples mark their first three-digit milestone together.
Many also get rings for their first anniversary.
Matching outfits, couple phone cases, and social media posts are just natural extensions of this culture.
While it may seem excessive to some, for many Korean couples, these gestures are just another way to express love.
3. Don’t Be Shocked to See His Family
Family is important in Korean culture, so don’t be shocked if he’s eager to introduce you to his family once things get serious.
He might also value his family’s opinions, and it’s normal for families to want to know a lot about someone their son is dating.
Parents may ask personal questions about your background, job, or future plans, which can feel overwhelming.
If you’re not ready, it’s okay to set boundaries.
Not all Korean girls are eager to be close to their future in-laws either.
Some prefer to keep a polite distance while maintaining a good relationship.
4. Expect Lots of Messages and Phone Calls
Many Korean guys are not super expressive about their feelings, especially if they’re from Southern areas like Gyeongsang-do.
Yet Korean men might say “I love you” relatively quickly.
Texting culture is strong in Korea, so you will get frequent KakaoTalk messages throughout the day, ranging from simple “Did you eat?” texts to detailed updates about his schedule.
You may find this a bit much, but some get upset if you don’t message back as soon as possible.
It’s common to end the day with 1- or 2-hour-long phone calls with one’s boyfriend in Korea.
5. Expect the Date Course to Involve Eating and Drinking Coffee
The standard Korean date course is a restaurant, usually Italian or Western style, then a coffee shop.
If all goes well, something extra like drinking and taking photos at a booth.
When either the boyfriend or girlfriend has their own place, they hang out and cook at home.
And yet, living together before marriage is still uncommon.
Dating a Korean guy can be super sweet or a bit clingy.
Feel free to share your experience or idea in the comments!
