3,000 Attend Seoul's 'I Am Solo' Event, 27 Couples Formed

In a recent matchmaking event organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, half of the participants found love. On November 23, the 'Excitement in Han River' event took place at the Sebit Island in Banpo Hangang Park, where 27 couples were successfully matched out of 100 participants, resulting in a matching rate of 54%.

Each of the 27 couples will receive a date package valued at approximately 300,000 KRW, which includes meal vouchers and cultural experience tickets.

The event ran from 3 PM to 9 PM and featured a variety of activities such as relationship coaching, yacht experiences on the Han River, recreational games, one-on-one conversations, and cocktail dates. Participants were asked to rank their preferred partners from 1 to 3, and the results were communicated to the matched couples the following morning.

A survey conducted among attendees revealed that 84% were satisfied with the event, citing the opportunity to engage with diverse individuals as a key reason for their positive feedback.

The recruitment for this event, which took place from October 21 to November 8, attracted significant interest, with 3,286 applicants vying for just 100 spots, resulting in a competitive ratio of about 33 to 1. Unlike typical matchmaking events organized by local governments, which often see a gender imbalance, this event achieved a near-equal distribution of male and female participants, with a ratio of 51 to 49.

To ensure the safety and suitability of participants, the Seoul city officials reviewed application documents, including residency certificates, employment verification, business registration, income statements for freelancers, and marriage certificates. They also conducted background checks for any criminal history.

Kim Seon-soon, head of the Women and Family Affairs Division of Seoul, expressed her congratulations to the newly formed couples and stated, "We will strive to continue hosting such events with the support of corporate sponsors to provide more opportunities for single men and women to meet."