Find your match in just 10 minutes: Speed dating gains popularity among young generation

Participants engage in speed dating, meeting multiple people within a limited time. Courtesy of Love Talk Talk

"Ten minutes have passed. Please move to meet your next partner."

Last month, at a venue in Seoul, about 20 men and women in their 20s and 30s sat across from each other for one-on-one meetings. Each had a profile card listing their occupation, age, personality type, recent interests, key preferences in a partner and place of residence. They exchanged cards and engaged in conversation for 10 minutes before moving to the next table. Before switching, they exchanged notes — if interested, they handed over a slip with their contact information; if not, they gave a blank piece of paper.

Rise of speed dating

Speed dating, which allows participants to meet multiple people in a short time, is trending among young adults who prioritize efficiency. The popularity of reality dating shows like SBS’s "I Am Solo" and "Jjak" as well as Netflix’s "Single’s Inferno" also contributed to the trend.

In a typical session, participants rotate every 10 minutes over a span of two to three hours. Those interested can sign up via dating apps like Somoim and Munto or search for events on social media. Participation fees range from 20,000 won (about $15) to 50,000 won, depending on gender. The number of participants varies, typically from four-on-four to 12-on-12 meetings.

Jung, a 28-year-old office worker, has attended three speed dating events, two of which led to relationships. "After my early 20s, I received fewer introductions through acquaintances, and since I don’t go out much, meeting new people became difficult. This seemed like a good solution," Jung said. Compared to matchmaking agencies that cost hundreds of thousands of won, speed dating is a more affordable option.

Lee, a 34-year-old dental hygienist, shared a similar view. "I want to date, but setting aside an entire day for a blind date feels burdensome. Speed dating is cost-effective because I can meet multiple people in a short time," she said. "When introduced to someone by a friend, it’s hard to reject them even if there’s no attraction. With speed dating, there’s no intermediary, so I feel less pressure."

According to dating service provider LoveTalkTalk, participants can “experience a year’s worth of blind dates in a single day” if they want. The company, which has been operating for three years, claims a 30 percent success rate in forming couples, with five marriages resulting from their events.

Participants engage in speed dating, meeting multiple people within a limited time. Courtesy of Talk Blossom

‘Conveyor belt dating’

However, speed dating has its downsides. Ten minutes is often too short to engage in meaningful conversations. While there is a chance for instant attraction, most encounters end with quick introductions. Some participants liken the experience to a "conveyor belt sushi" setup. "You spend time selecting, but in the end, you may not feel satisfied," one attendee said. "There are plenty of choices, but none may truly appeal to you."

Another participant, an office worker, said, "I wouldn’t do it again. Conversations felt superficial, and I kept repeating the same things. Eventually, I felt like a machine, and my partners seemed exhausted, which killed the enthusiasm."

Large-scale blind dating events are not new. In 2001, matchmaking company Sunwoo hosted the "Millennium Meeting Festival," which drew about 4,000 singles. Similar events attracted 1,200 participants in 2004 and 1,600 in 2007. Sunwoo CEO Lee Woong-jin said, "While large group dating events have declined due to changing times and cost concerns, speed dating remains popular, with a high success rate for matchmaking."

Amid Korea’s low birthrate crisis, local governments and religious groups are also organizing dating events. In November, the Seoul Metropolitan Government hosted a group blind date called "Excitement in Hangang," drawing 100 participants and receiving 3,286 applications. The event resulted in 27 couples. On Feb. 14, the city will hold another event, "Excitement, Art Night," in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Additionally, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism has hosted an annual group dating event coupled with a temple stay for singles since 2013.

Lee Eun-hee, an honorary professor of consumer studies at Inha University, analyzed the trend, saying, "Just as people search extensively for information before purchasing a product, young adults today want to meet as many potential partners as possible to find the best match. These events also give participants the feeling of being in control of their choices, like the main character in their own story."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.