Local matchmaking programs make comeback despite past backlash

Spring is in the air, and a renewed wave of matchmaking events hosted by local governments across Korea is gaining momentum. Once criticized as outdated attempts to address the country’s low birthrate, publicly backed dating programs are now gaining traction again, this time with more subtle framing and enthusiastic responses from young participants. In Seoul, the city government is actively promoting a series of meet-up events for unmarried residents, with some likening the initiative to a “Seoul-style ‘I Am Solo’,” referencing the popular dating reality show. This revival comes roughly a year and a half after Seoul scrapped its 2023 “Seoulting” program due to backlash over the use of taxpayer funds and accusations of bureaucratic overreach. So what’s different now? Officials say that distancing the programs from direct low birthrate solutions and minimizing city funding has helped soften criticism. Instead, events are framed as casual opportunities for social connection. That strategy seems to be working. Local districts are also jumping on board, offering their own the