"I Spend 100,000 Won in One Go, So I'm Giving Up"... County Offices Nudge Singles: "We'll Cover the Meal, Just Please Go Meet Someone" [The Essential Guide to Benefits]

"Find a Connection Through Hobbies"... Yecheon County's "After Work, Together" Event
Applications Open for 'Uiseong Seollendei'... Support for Follow-Up Dates
'Early Merry Christmas in Gimcheon'... Recruiting 80 Unmarried Men and

Editor's Note"The more you know, the more you see." Even in an age overflowing with information, there are many things that pass us by without our knowing. In [The Essential Guide to Benefits], we bring you useful news to help with everyday life.

A phenomenon known as the "Dating Recession" is emerging among young people: although they want to date and get married, they hesitate to meet potential partners in real life.

Photo is unrelated to the specific content of the article. Photo by Kim Hyunmin.

A 2024 survey commissioned by Hanwha General Insurance's Lifeplus Femtech Research Institute and conducted by Embrain among 1,000 unmarried men and women in the Seoul metropolitan area found that 54.2% of respondents were not currently dating. By contrast, 81% said they intended to date in the future.

Reasons for not dating included a lack of financial means, few opportunities to meet people of the opposite sex, and the emotional toll of forming relationships.

Against this backdrop, local governments are stepping in to help young people find a connection. Their programs range from opportunities to bond naturally over shared hobbies to online platforms where participants view one another's profiles and decide whether to meet.

"Instead of Awkward Blind Dates, Connect Naturally Through Hobbies"... Yecheon County Seeks Participants for "After Work, Together"

Yecheon County is accepting applications through November 20 for its young singles meetup event, "After Work, Together."

Yecheon County's young singles meetup event, "After Work, Together." Yecheon County

The event is designed to help young people with limited opportunities to meet others because of busy work schedules make connections naturally by enjoying hobbies together after work.

The program will offer three courses: pottery (November 25-26), a cooking class (December 9-10), and a perfume-making class (December 16-17). Each course will run for two days, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Each class will accept 12 participants, with six men and six women. Unmarried men and women born between 1987 and 2000 who live in Gyeongsangbuk-do or work for a company based there are eligible to apply. Yecheon County residents will be given priority.

Those interested can check the application form and required documents in the notices section of the Yecheon County Office website and submit them by email. Applicants will be notified individually of the results on November 23.

"Uiseong Seollendei" Seeks 80 Unmarried Young Adults... Dating Support and a Chance to Be Matched Again

Uiseong County has been accepting applications since October 12 for "2026 Uiseong Seollendei."

Uiseong County's event for unmarried young adults, "Uiseong Seollendei." Uiseong County.

The event is open to 80 unmarried men and women born between 1985 and 2003: 40 men and 40 women. Uiseong County residents and people who work there will be given priority, but unmarried men and women who live or work in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region may also apply. Applications are being accepted through the Uiseong Seollendei website and Instagram until all spots are filled.

"Uiseong Seollendei" was created for young people who find it daunting to meet several people at once. Participants post their profiles on an online platform, and if both parties agree to meet, they are introduced one-on-one. Names, contact details, and other personal information are not disclosed until both parties consent.

Couples who want to meet again after their first date will receive support for dates at cafes, restaurants, and other venues in Uiseong County. Those who do not arrange a follow-up date will have another opportunity to meet people through rotating matchups.

"Spend Christmas Together as a Couple This Year"... "Merry Christmas in Advance in Gimcheon"

Gimcheon City is seeking participants for "Merry Christmas in Advance in Gimcheon," an event offering young men and women a chance to make connections naturally. It will be held at locations across Gimcheon City on November 21.

2026 Gimcheon City Singles Meetup Event, “Merry Christmas in Advance in Gimcheon” . Gimcheon City

Unmarried men and women born between 1985 and 1999 who live in Gimcheon City or work for a company there are eligible to apply. Women who live in or are based in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region may also apply. Gimcheon City residents and people who work in the city will be given priority. The event will accept 80 participants in total, with 40 men and 40 women.

The program will include camping activities, rotating matchmaking conversations, and couple matching.

Applications will be accepted through November 13. Those interested can check the details on the "Latest News" board of the Gimcheon City Hall website, complete the application documents, and submit them by email. Applicants will be notified individually of the final selection results on November 16.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.