If you are looking to find your significant other, chances are, you'll have a higher chance to find her randomly in Korea. Because the dating culture in Korea is so important, everyone is always on the lookout for their partner. In fact, Koreans are constantly in relationships and mark Christmas as a couples holiday, not a family holiday. There are a few ways that can increase your chance in finding your significant other, by doing it the way the locals do it.
For starters, one of the most common way to find your next boyfriend or girlfriend is through a recommendation. Koreans are always setting up friends and co-workers on blind dates. It first starts with a photo of course, followed by casual conversation over Kakao (a free messaging app in Korea) and finally a meet up if both parties are interseted in doing so. If you should get married to this person, be sure to give a big stash of "thank you money" to the friend who set you both up. Maybe that's why Koreans are always setting each other up, hoping for that stack of cash (just kidding of course).
From a personal stand point, any time my Korean friend introduces me to another Korean, he or she always says "set me up on a date with your friend." This comes up pretty much every time I meet a new person who is single. I thought it was a little weird at first, but I grew accustomed to it and finally understood why. Getting set up is not limited to just friends and co-workers, but it is through family as well. Family members and neighbors will constantly recommend meeting up with someone coffee as your potential match.
This might be a little weird but the American version of speed dating is actually common in Korea as well. In fact, you'll see group dates in public because Koreans have no shame. They'll have a group date in a coffee shop where they pick numbers someway and the first girl will pick the guy that she wants to sit across from and so on and so forth. Following this is casual group chat and potentially lead to phone number exchanges. This may happen through an event or through friends that are trying to set something up. One friend calls another and so on and so forth, and next thing you know it, there's a whole group ready to mingle.
Like group dates, "hunting" is more common within the younger generation. It is when groups of girls actually stand around waiting to get picked up. Girls are literally standing outside of hot spot train stations and chatting as if they are waiting for someone. A group of guys should then approach them and ask if they would like to all hang out, it makes things less awkward between the group. Following this is a round or two of drinking (where the guys pay of course). Thing of this as casually hanging out with a group of people, getting to know them. It's just that in Korea, it is an actual form of meeting others minus the creeper status.
Taking this to a more intimate level (which some may say to be sleazy) is "booking." Booking is where guys buy a bottle and get a table at a lounge or club. Girls who then enter this environment are usually picked up in the middle of the street as they pass by a group of guys with headphones in their ears. It sounds extremely creepy and it can be a little scary if you're not used to being grab by the arm by some guy who will actually strap his arm around you to get you to go to the club. They usually target locals for the very reason that their customers are locals and do not speak much English.
The girls who want to be "booked" then enter the club and will be taken from table to table to meet and talk to guys. These girls are not actually paid to do so and this does not mean you are allowed to be rude and engage in innapropriate actions either. The girls can leave whenever they want to, most leave after having a drink, especially if they're not interested. Although everyone has their own reasons to enter a "booking" atmosphere, it is recommended to act accordingly. Just because you may enter a "booking club" does not mean that every girl who is going to get "booked" is sleazy and easy. Keep in mind that these girls are just getting pick up after strolling around the streets so they may not be dressed for the club. There are a lot of girls who are innocent and doing it just because their friends want to or just for the experience. There is not a lot of places around the world that offer this experience, plus girls get to drink for free, that's a plus for many.
A lot of people who are searing the internet for a conversation partner in actuality is searching the internet for a partner. It can be extremely difficult to find someone who is looking to strictly learn, so be patient if you are actually looking for a real conversation partner. Nonetheless, this would probably be something that I would not resort to because it can be a little awkward!
Last Notes
If you're looking to find your significant other the more American way by approaching him or her in public, just keep in mind these few things. Always look your best. In Korea, image and photos are actually taken into consideration before anything else. It is a lot harder to sweep someone off their feet based purely on the kindness of your heart, no matter how "nice" the other person is.
The Korean culture is still pretty traditional where guys approach girls for a phone number. In fact, some guys may even approach you in the street to ask for your phone number based on looks (it has happened before). You can kindly decline of course if you're not interested. It is not likely that girls will approach guys asking for a phone number because of their male-dominant gender norms. Although this is gradually changing, the concept is still fresh and uncommon. The rest of the dating rules apply of course.
Just keep in mind that when you do move to the dating stage, Koreans may move a little quickly. They may decide a lot quicker than foreigners on the time they should be established as "exclusive" only because Koreans are kind of always with someone. It's considered a "sad thing" to be single in Korea (for both guys and girls). Lastly, be ready for what you will get into as a couple as well!
One of the common Korean traditions is their take on buffets. In Korea, you will find the Tuna sashimi buffet in almost all areas of Seoul. This is definitely something that all sashimi lovers should go for, especially those tuna fish fans. With different sections of the tuna fish that is shared between you and a group or your restaurant buddy, you are getting different textures all on one plate, from one fish. The concept is simple, simple pick a price range of tuna fish that you would like, the higher the price, the better quality of the tuna of course. Because you are sharing between a group, it is required that all orders the same set of tuna to help keep track of the type of fish that each table is getting.
The endless amount of tuna sashimi that is served to you will continue to come without any questions until you order it to stop. This bed of tuna consists of different parts of the tuna fish which depends on the price level you order for. It can be consumed alone with wasabi and soy sauce like the Japanese, or with a slice of dried seaweed and topped with a few vegetables of your choice. Being that I am a bit on the "special" side when it comes to raw fish, I am extra excited for the service of free food that comes along with the meal which usually is a soup, a la carte fish, or even a hand roll. The good thing about the side service is the fact that it takes away from the number of raw fish that one can consume through their course of their meal. A slab of protein can only go so far, it's always best to have a more balanced meal which is what the extra dishes on the side offer.
