Curious why there are so many couples in South Korea?
I’m a Korean girl and I’ll explain it here!
Quick Summary
- In South Korea, being in a relationship is often seen as a sign of social and personal success.
- Since most Koreans live with their parents until they get married, couples go on dates more often outside their houses.
- A visible couple culture makes you feel like you’re surrounded by couples everywhere.
If you’ve ever visited Korea or watched Korean dramas, you might have noticed couples everywhere.
From matching outfits to romantic café dates, Korea has a strong couple culture. It feels like everyone is in a relationship.
Here’s why!
Koreans Feel Social Pressure to Date
In South Korea, being in a relationship is seen as a sign of social and personal success.
Unlike in Western countries where being single is widely accepted, having a romantic relationship is considered normal.
The crazy thing is, Koreans are expected to focus on studying until we graduate high school, then magically date someone afterward.
Koreans often feel social pressure to date, and staying single for too long can lead to concerned questions from family and friends. They’ll be eager to introduce someone.
For example, Korean parents often encourage their children to date, especially if they’re not married in their 30s.
Even university campuses and workplaces have a strong dating culture.
If one fails to date, the society mocks those NGSB (No Girlfriend Since Birth) or NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth) as “motae solo (born single like born Catholic)” in Korean.
There’s a societal expectation to find a partner and eventually settle down.
Korean Dating Is More Visible
The reason why you see a lot of couples in public is because they’re on dates that women prefer.
They’re usually at cute cafés, trendy restaurants, Instagrammable places, popular travel destinations, and date spots like Namsan Tower, Lotte World, and Han River.
Movies are also considered a couple’s thing in the country.
Since most Koreans live with their parents until they get married, couples go on dates more often outside their houses.
The usual date routine is a restaurant, cafe, and something extra like a park, gallery, bar, festival, or one-day class.
Korea is really fun for couples. With so many romantic places to visit, dating becomes not just about the relationship itself but also about the experiences that come with it.
Korea Has a Unique Couple Culture
Couple culture in Korea is openly celebrated in a unique way.
Matching outfits, identical items, and couple rings are ways for Korean couples to express their relationship status.
Couple rings are not reserved for proposal or marriage in the country. Koreans usually get rings within one year of being together.
This visible romance makes you feel like you’re surrounded by people on dates everywhere.
Additionally, we have many social events dedicated to couples:
- Valentine’s Day (February 14): Women give chocolates to men.
- White Day (March 14): Men return the favor with gifts and candies.
- Pepero Day (November 11): Couples exchange Pepero snacks (similar to Pocky).
- 100-Day Anniversaries: On top of celebrating yearly anniversaries, many Korean couples track their relationship in 100-day milestones like 100-day, 200-day… 1,000-day.
The Fear of Being Alone Is in the Air
There’s a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out), especially when all your friends are dating.
It feels like you should be dating too.
Additionally, in Korea, winter or December is considered the worst time to be single.
Holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Eve are seen as romantic occasions, and cold weather makes people long for companionship.
Because of this, many people start relationships in the winter to avoid loneliness.
There’s Influence of Romantic K-Dramas and TV Shows
Most K-dramas are about romance but on another level.
Also, reality dating shows like Single’s Inferno and Heart Signal often romanticize relationships, making people want to date.
Since K-dramas are a huge part of Korean entertainment, they have a strong influence on how people perceive love and romance.
South Korea is where romantic relationships are highly valued and actively pursued. Or, maybe love is just in the air.
That’s why you’ll see so many couples in South Korea!
