Matchmaking event in central Seoul takes on challenge of senior loneliness

Loneliness is one of the greatest challenges many older Koreans face. Whether through romantic relationships or new friendships, the need for social connection remains strong, even in their golden years.

 
This was clearly evident at a matchmaking event on Thursday afternoon at Mugyewon, a traditional hanok in Buam-dong, Jongno District, central Seoul, where dozens of older adults gathered in search of late-blooming love. Or at the very least, a friendly neighbor.

To help residents  the Jongno District Office launched a senior matchmaking program last year to relieve social isolation and encourage new connections later in life. Thursday’s gathering marked the program's second edition, with another round planned for later this year.

 
Residents aged 65 or older living alone in Jongno were eligible to sign up. According to the district’s elderly welfare policy team, the 20-person quota for women filled up four days before the deadline. In total, 20 women and 17 men registered, the youngest being a 67-year-old and the oldest, 89.

Jongno District stands alone among Seoul’s 23 districts in offering a matchmaking event tailored specifically for seniors. The program was born from the initiative of Chung Moon-hun, head of Jongno District Office, whose idea reflects a growing urgency in Korean society — the deepening isolation faced by the country’s aging population. 

 
“We are now living in the era of 100-year life spans,” Chung said during the event. “Living long is important, but so is living happily.”

 
 
According to Statistics Korea, people aged 70 or older comprised the largest share of single-person households in 2023, accounting for 19.1 percent of the country’s 10 million one-person households. Among all single-person households, 31.9 percent cited the death of a spouse as the reason, followed by academic or work-related disruptions at 22.4 percent and a personal preference for living alone at 14.3 percent.

 
With more older adults living alone, concerns over godoksa, or lonely deaths, have intensified. 

Source : https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-06-17/national/socialAffairs/Golden-year-romance-Matchmaking-event-in-central-Seoul-takes-on-challenge-of-senior-loneliness/2329429

Comprehension

What is the main problem that older Koreans are facing?
Where did the matchmaking event take place?
Who organized the senior matchmaking program?
What was the age requirement to join the event?
How many people attended the event?
What makes Jongno District’s program unique?
According to the article, what does Chung Moon-hun say about living long?
What is "godoksa" and why is it a concern?

Discussion

Do you think older people should have more chances to make friends or date? Why or why not?
What are some challenges people face when they grow older?
Is loneliness a problem in your country among older adults? How is it handled?
Have you ever lived alone? What was that like?
What are some ways the government or community can help older people feel less lonely?
Would you participate in a matchmaking event at age 70? Why or why not?
Do you think love has an age limit? Why or why not?
What role does friendship play in someone’s happiness?
What do you think of the idea of “100-year life spans”? Is it exciting or worrying?
In your culture, how do people usually take care of their aging parents or grandparents?

Vocabulary

Loneliness – The feeling of being alone or isolated.
Golden years – The later years in a person’s life, often after retirement.
Matchmaking – The act of bringing people together for romantic relationships.
Hanok – A traditional Korean house.
Isolation – Being separated from others; lack of social contact.
Eligible – Meeting the conditions to take part in something.
Quota – A set number or limit for participants.
Urgency – A strong need or importance to take action.
Spouse – A husband or wife.
Godoksa (고독사) – A Korean word meaning “lonely death,” when someone dies alone without anyone noticing.