The state of singledom

There are some seven million singles above the age of 20, up from 6.4 million in 2004, according to official figures. The population of South Korea stands at 49 million.

Currently, the average age of a bride is 28.1 years, compared to 26.5 in 2000. The average age of a groom is 31.1 years, up from 29.3 in 2000.

Who plays Cupid?

Matchmaking agencies: There are 1,000 such agencies in South Korea. A client can expect to pay between 500,000 won (S$680) and 10 million won.

Two in five couples who married between 1998 and 2003 met through matchmakers, says the Korean Institute for Health and Social Affairs.

"Koreans are so overworked that we do not have the time or energy to socialise," said Madam Park Hyun Jin, 35, a sales manager who met her husband through a matchmaking firm.

Blind dates set up by friends: It is called "sogae-ting", a hybrid of the words "sogae" or "introduce" in Korean and "meeting".

Government lends a hand: It takes on the role of promoting nuptial unions. Starting this year, May 21 has been designated as "Married Couples Day" with the digits symbolising "two people becoming one".

When boy meets girl

Matchmaking firms will assign a staff member to be present when their clients meet for the first time.

A couple on a blind date may or may not be accompanied by friends who set them up.

Power of attraction

Women look at: Income level, job prestige, academic qualifications and family background.

Men look at: Women's looks.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Aug 23, 2008.

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