The End of Marriage as a Necessity: The Modern Dating Landscape in South Korea

Hello, canadatokorea.com readers. Today, we're going to dive into a fascinating topic: how the younger generation in Korea views marriage. A great way to understand social trends is by looking at what’s popular on Korean TV shows. In the past, variety shows focused on family and marriage, like shows about raising kids. Now, they've shifted to dating and even blind dates, reflecting a society where marriage is no longer a given. So, why are so many young Koreans delaying or giving up on marriage? Is it simply because they can't find a partner? The truth is, there are much more complex and pragmatic reasons behind this trend.

The Rise of the 'Hexagonal Human'

In Korea, a new term is trending: the ‘hexagonal human.’ This describes a person who is perfect in every way—looks, financial stability, education, career, and personality. In the past, an ideal type was just a dream, but for today's young people, this 'hexagonal human' has become the ‘minimum standard’ for marriage. According to a survey, single men in Korea expect their ideal partner to earn ₩43 million a year (approx. CAD $43,000) with assets of ₩200 million (approx. CAD $200,000). Women expect a partner to earn ₩60 million (approx. CAD $60,000) with assets of ₩300 million (approx. CAD $300,000). These asset requirements are unrealistically high for their salaries. As these standards have risen, the number of marriages has plummeted by half in just 10 years. This isn’t just about money. Financial stability is a given, but now looks, education, family background, personality, and even being a non-smoker or having no religion are all part of the criteria. In the past, men would say, “I can’t get married because I don’t have enough money.” Now, people are saying, “I can’t get married even if I have a lot of money.” The mindset of not starting something unless it's perfect has become widespread.

The Ever-Rising Bar for Marriage

The barriers to marriage aren't just about the partner. The costs of weddings and housing are also huge burdens. Over 60% of newlyweds want to start their life in an apartment, which is considered a top-tier home in Korea. This shows a new cultural trend where people want to start their marriage from a ‘top-tier standard of living.’ Furthermore, the cost of raising a child is one of the highest in the world. With many couples forced to choose between a home and a child, or a child and retirement, the number of ‘DINKs’ (Dual Income, No Kids) is soaring. Since they don’t want to give up on a home, child-rearing, or retirement, they delay marriage until they can have it all.

A Changing Social Perception of Marriage

In the past, marriage was a given in Korean society. Unmarried people were casually called 'old bachelors' or 'old maids.' But now, with the majority of young people remaining unmarried, these terms are no longer used lightly. Marriage has become a ‘choice,’ not a necessity, and those who do choose to marry want a perfect partner they can show off to others. This isn’t just a personal issue. This social trend is contributing to serious problems like low economic growth and a declining population. Although the government is proposing various policies, there's still a long way to go before they become a realistic solution. What do you think of this Korean marriage culture? Is the trend of raising marriage standards happening worldwide, or is it a unique phenomenon in Korea?