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Dating culture around the world: the GO TO and NO GO for newcomers
Who pays, when to meet, what to bring and what never to say. Short, practical dos and don'ts from 10 countries, taken from our dating culture guides.
Read the full guideDating in South Korea: what newcomers should know
Updated October 2026
Dating in South Korea is warm, attentive and often well organised: couples stay in close touch by message, and small gestures matter. Many people meet through friends, at work, in classes or at a 'sogaeting', a one-to-one blind date set up by a friend, and apps are common too. Relationships tend to be defined clearly, and couples often celebrate milestones such as their 100th day together. Seoul is safe, lively late into the night and easy to get around.
How dating works here
- Anyone can ask someone out, and being introduced by a friend at a 'sogaeting' is very common.
- Paying varies: some people expect the one who invited to pay, many take turns, with one paying for dinner and the other for coffee or drinks, and splitting is increasingly normal.
- First dates often follow a simple route: a meal, then a café, sometimes a walk or a drink.
- Messaging is constant, mostly on KakaoTalk; a message after the date is expected.
- Relationships are usually defined clearly, often after a few dates, rather than left vague for months.
- Couples often celebrate the 100th day together and other milestones, and some wear matching outfits or rings.
- International dating apps are popular among people from abroad and English speakers; local apps often require Korean identity verification.
- Age is often asked early because it shapes how people speak to each other; it is not meant to be rude.
- Drinking together is a big part of social life, but saying no is accepted; the legal drinking age is 19.
- Pouring drinks for others and receiving a drink with two hands are polite habits.
- Public affection is fine within limits; holding hands is common, while long kissing in public is less so.
- A few words of Korean go a long way, even with someone who speaks English.
GO TO
- Suggest a simple plan: a meal, then a café, in a busy area.
- Offer to pay for coffee or the next round if your date paid for dinner.
- Reply to messages reasonably quickly and send a short note after the date.
- Learn a few polite Korean phrases and use them.
- Pour drinks for your date and accept a drink with two hands.
- Be on time and let your date know right away if you are running late.
- Be clear about what you want once you have been on a few dates.
- Remember small details your date mentions; thoughtfulness is valued.
- Check the last subway; most lines stop around midnight, and late taxis can be scarce on busy nights.
- Say a short, kind 'no thanks' if you do not want another date.
NO GO
- Do not push for physical contact; take your cues from your date.
- Do not leave a tip; it is not expected.
- Do not make jokes or generalisations about Korean people, K-dramas or appearance.
- Do not comment on your date's looks or weight, even as a joke.
- Do not pressure anyone to keep drinking.
- Do not take photos or videos of people without their consent; it is taken very seriously.
- Do not compare Korea with neighbouring countries in a careless way.
- Do not go silent for days during the early stage; it reads as a lack of interest.
- Do not send money to anyone you have only met online.
- Do not ghost after several dates; a short, honest message is expected.
Safety
- Call 112 for the police and 119 for an ambulance or fire; the 1330 travel hotline helps in English and other languages.
- Meet first dates in busy public places and tell a friend where you are going.
- Watch your drink and do not leave it unattended.
- Plan your way home: check the last subway, and use official taxi apps late at night.
- Be wary of online matches who quickly talk about investments or crypto or ask for money; report suspicious profiles to the app.
- Emergency number: 112 (police), 119 (ambulance)
Questions and answers
What is dating like in South Korea?
Dating in South Korea is warm, attentive and often well organised: couples stay in close touch by message, and small gestures matter. Many people meet through friends, at work, in classes or at a 'sogaeting', a one-to-one blind date set up by a friend, and apps are common too. Relationships tend to be defined clearly, and couples often celebrate milestones such as their 100th day together. Seoul is safe, lively late into the night and easy to get around.
What should you avoid on a date in South Korea?
Do not push for physical contact; take your cues from your date. Do not leave a tip; it is not expected.
What makes a good impression on a date in South Korea?
Suggest a simple plan: a meal, then a café, in a busy area. Offer to pay for coffee or the next round if your date paid for dinner.
How do you stay safe on a date in South Korea?
Call 112 for the police and 119 for an ambulance or fire; the 1330 travel hotline helps in English and other languages.
Every person is different. These are general patterns, not rules.
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