Mass blind-dating event
This mass blind-dating event, orchestrated by Seongnam City, aimed to counteract the diminishing interest in marriage and parenthood.
(Photograph:Reuters)
Amidst the festive tunes of Christmas, a hundred South Korean men and women convened at a hotel near Seoul, adorned in their finest attire with name tags on display, all in pursuit of love. The government`s underlying hope? To boost the country`s declining birth rate.
Mass blind-dating event
This mass blind-dating event, orchestrated by Seongnam City, aimed to counteract the diminishing interest in marriage and parenthood.
(Photograph:Reuters)
The vibe
Participants, mainly in their 20s and 30s, initially sat in quiet anticipation until a relationship coach enlivened the atmosphere with a rock-paper-scissors game, sparking lively conversations.
(Photograph:Reuters)
Seongnam City spared no effort
Seongnam City spared no effort in facilitating potential matches, providing red wine, chocolates, games, free make-up services, and even background checks for the singles.
(Photograph:Reuters)
Impact
After five rounds this year, 198 individuals out of 460 left the event as "couples," having agreed to exchange contacts.
(Photograph:Reuters)
Seoul's unsuccessful attempt
Interestingly, the capital, Seoul, contemplated a similar event but faced criticism for potentially overlooking the root causes behind people's reluctance to marry and have children, such as exorbitant housing and education costs.
(Photograph:Agencies)