The idea of dating in South Korean culture is relatively new because traditionally, marriages were arranged, and therefore, Koreans were not dating. Young adults were formed into couples by their families, village elders, or matchmakers and subsequently married. These artificial relationships were generally based on a combination of the males socioeconomic status and education rather than love, but with time Koreans view of love has changed from viewing it as nothing besides lust and irresponsibility to regarding it as an important piece of a relationship (Yoo 2005). Due to this, Koreans have strayed away from arranged marriages in favor of love marriages. However, though arranged marriages are no longer popular, remnants of them have blended
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Online dating has become the most common of these services likely due to the accessibility of smartphone applications, but people still frequently visit matchmaking businesses in person or take part in activities like sogaeting (Baldacchino 2008). The word “sogaeting” is a combination of the Korean verb “sogaehada” which translates to “introduction” or “to introduce” and a derivation of the ending syllable of the English word “meeting”. As its meaning may suggest, sogaeting is a practice where a matchmaker, which is normally a couple, brings mutual friends to a coffee shop, or someplace similar, to introduce them to each other. After a brief period of time the matchmakers leave with hopes that their friends are a match (Baldacchino 2008). Parents also take part in a form of sogaeting where they either hire a matchmaker or find a family friend that helps them find a partner for their single, typically older, child (Baldacchino 2008). Yu Mi Nam, a thirty-year-old Korean man, met his wife through sogaeting. Originally, they were introduced to “help each other study,” and began with online chatting. Eventually, after further learning about each other through Cyworld, a website similar to Facebook, the couple met in person and ultimately married (Baldacchino
Online dating has become the most common of these services likely due to the accessibility of smartphone applications, but people still frequently visit matchmaking businesses in person or take part in activities like sogaeting (Baldacchino 2008). The word “sogaeting” is a combination of the Korean verb “sogaehada” which translates to “introduction” or “to introduce” and a derivation of the ending syllable of the English word “meeting”. As its meaning may suggest, sogaeting is a practice where a matchmaker, which is normally a couple, brings mutual friends to a coffee shop, or someplace similar, to introduce them to each other. After a brief period of time the matchmakers leave with hopes that their friends are a match (Baldacchino 2008). Parents also take part in a form of sogaeting where they either hire a matchmaker or find a family friend that helps them find a partner for their single, typically older, child (Baldacchino 2008). Yu Mi Nam, a thirty-year-old Korean man, met his wife through sogaeting. Originally, they were introduced to “help each other study,” and began with online chatting. Eventually, after further learning about each other through Cyworld, a website similar to Facebook, the couple met in person and ultimately married (Baldacchino