Dating in Korea | How Koreans Meet Up "Organically"!
Ways Korean Locals Find Their Significant Others
Can you feel the butterflies in your stomach when you start seeing someone new? How do Korean locals meet people?
They can naturally start seeing each other from their school, friends, and work. Also, they go on blind dates or 'hunting' which is a Korean-English term for hooking up. Today, I will break down the different aspects of dating culture in Korea.
Blind Dates
Blind dates entail one-on-one meetups between two people through their friends. The important thing is that it has to be one-on-one, not in a group.
Most Koreans are likely to take blind dates more seriously compared to group blind dates or hunting.
The Classic Ways
For people in their early 20s to early 30s, friends will set them up on dates which are widely referred to in Korean as 'sogaeting'. For age groups in their late 30s and 40s, their family members will set up dates for the sole purpose of marriage which is called 'seon'.
Majority of people check the others' pictures before they decide to go on the blind date. If anyone asks, "Are you interested in going on a blind date?" and 9 of 10 times the other person will ask for pictures first. 
Once you liked their pictures, you will get their contact number and set up a time and location for the actual date! Blind dates usually take place during lunch or dinner; most of the time, they go for dinner first and have conversations and get to know each other. After the meal, it is ideal to go for a tea or coffee for the wrap-up.
However, the blind date culture has been changed recently. Lots of people meet up around 3 - 4 pm for a cup of coffee and wrap up if they don't find much interest from the other person. Lots of people find this way more efficient; they don't need to waste time and money with someone that they are not interested in!
If you found the person attractive or enjoyed spending time together, you or the other can ask for an 'after'. 'After' means asking the other person out on a second date.
Just a heads up, there is an unwritten law that you MUST ask the date out officially within 3 to 4 dates. If you ever mention "I went on 5 dates after the blind date", and then most of the responses from the Koreans will be, "What? And you guys aren't official yet?"
It is a good idea to ask the person out officially within 3 to 4 dates if you really find the person attractive, but if you prefer taking some time to get to know each other, blind dates might not be the best option.
The Emergence of Dating Apps
Recently, plenty of dating/blind date apps emerged to match you with someone who may be the right person for you! 
Once you submit your pictures, background, preferred style in the app, you will be matched with some people, who can be your potential date! Awww!
Group Blind Dates
Since blind dates are one-on-one, group blind dates are literally in a group of people. Perceptions of group blind dates are just for fun, rather than a serious meetup since it's in a group.
However, before you go on a group blind date, people still check their pictures; every one of them! Once everyone confirms the pictures, they finally go on a group blind date! Guys most likely choose the location of a meeting where can be liked by the girls' group! 
Another special characteristic of a group of blind dates is that they go for drinks instead of going to a restaurant and eat. Most of the times, they meet up around 8 or 9 PM, unlike blind dates I covered earlier.
As soon as the group blind date starts, girls decide on which guy they like! They preferably go to the washroom and chat about the guys If you are interested in someone at the group blind date, mention your favorite very first among your friends. First come first serve! 😏
Hunting (Hooking Up)
'Hunting' is a common Korean-English term for hooking up with someone. Whenever and wherever you ask a stranger for their contact number, this is usually called 'hunting' in Korea.
Most of the time, guys are the ones who do the hunting. One thing to note before hunting is that they need to overcome the anxiety of getting refused in front of lots of people around them. Since hunting is approaching a stranger without any information exchanged, the chance of getting rejected is fairly high. You need to be smooth and flawless to succeed in hunting, but it is not as easy as we say.
One of the interesting nightlife cultures in Korea is hunting bars, and you can spot them in busy areas of Gangnam, Itaewon, Hongdae and more! Since the concept of the bar is very chill and the purpose is specifically looking for someone to have fun with, there is less pressure than just asking someone out in public.
However, not many people keep in touch after meeting at a hunting bar. Even if you continue talking to each other, it's most likely to grow into a friendship rather than a romantic relationship.
One of the biggest reasons why hunting doesn't turn in to a serious relationship is the personality match; it is challenging to figure out what the other's personality would be like from the first sight! Even though the success rate of making a girlfriend/boyfriend is low, lots of people go for fun!
If you can't meet someone organically, why don't you try these methods that I have listed today? I hope you find your significant other soon!
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