Won So
Research lead covering South Korea
Weddings in South Korea - statistics & facts
Weddings in South Korea are traditionally large-scale family events that celebrate the combination of two families. However, the concept of a wedding in the country is changing. The new generation appears to be resistant to such customary weddings. In addition, the number of marriages is steadily decreasing due to a change in perception that marriage is not considered an obligation. The restrictions on guest numbers for weddings during the COVID-19 pandemic also caused an overall reduction in scale of wedding ceremonies.
How expensive are weddings in South Korea?
As in other countries, most weddings in Korea are also expensive. A recent survey found that the average wedding cost, including the cost of a newlywed couple’s house, reached almost 300 million South Korean won. Conventionally, there is a large amount of money or luxury gifts exchanged between two families during the marriage process, which further increases the cost of the wedding. From all these circumstances, singles are hesitant to marry. In line with that, some couples plan to hold smaller or unique weddings according to their interests. According to a survey, most singles answered that they would like to have a small wedding in the future.The ideal life partner
When asked about their ideal spouse, South Korean men answered that they would like their future wife to be an everyday office woman who is about two years younger and 164.2 cm tall. The women said they would like their future husband to be 178.7 centimeters tall while working as an everyday office worker as well. However, both men and women prioritized personality and values over physical appearance or economic power when looking for a spouse in reality.
