Young Koreans flock to exclusive dating parties where looks are the ticket in

A promotional video recruiting participants for a trending "appearance approval party" among Korea’s 20s and 30s. Captured from Instagram

A new trend is taking hold among Korea’s millennials and Gen Z — exclusive “appearance-approved” dating parties that require applicants to submit photos and social media accounts for a visual screening before being allowed in.

Promoted via Instagram and other social platforms, these events target the top 30 percent in appearance, often under the banner of “alpha men and women only.”

Applicants are asked to submit face and body photos along with links to visually curated social media profiles, such as Instagram.

Despite entrance fees averaging around 50,000 won ($38), some parties are booked out weeks in advance, reflecting growing demand.

Experts say the popularity of these events reflects shifting attitudes toward romance and relationships among younger generations.

As marriage becomes less of a priority, with only 52.5 percent of Koreans now saying it is necessary, down from 68 percent in 2008, visual attraction is becoming a more dominant factor in dating preferences.

"Appearance approval parties," increasingly popular among Koreans in their 20s and 30s, require applicants to submit photos of their face and body to verify their looks. Captured from Instagram

Sociologists also warn that appearance is increasingly becoming a form of social capital. The influence of dating reality shows and image-driven platforms like Instagram and TikTok has heightened the social value of good looks.

“There’s a growing normalization of appearance-based hierarchies among young people,” said Ku Jung-woo, sociology professor at Sungkyunkwan University.

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