South Korean Singles Seek Love at Buddhist Temple Retreat
Sunday, 2026/07/19193 words3 minutes2567 reads
At Naksansa, a historic Buddhist temple located on a hilltop in Yangyang on South Korea's northeastern coast, young single men and women are participating in an unusual matchmaking program. The temple, which was founded in 671 during the Silla Dynasty, now serves as the setting for two-day retreats designed to help singles find romantic partners.
The Korean Buddhist Foundation for Social Welfare launched this blind-date program in 2023 to address South Korea's declining birthrate. The latest retreat attracted remarkable interest, with 4,225 applicants competing for just 20 available spots. Unlike traditional speed dating, the weekend retreat uses shared activities to help participants connect more deeply. Couples are paired randomly through numbered sticks or matching belongings, then spend time together during group tea ceremonies, forest walks, beachside yoga classes, and one-on-one rotation dates.
Participants wear temple clothing and say the peaceful setting allows them to get to know potential partners more seriously. The program also encourages reflection on South Korea's demographic challenges. The country's fertility rate was 0.80 in 2025, showing a second consecutive annual increase. However, the government projects that South Korea's population of 51.8 million could shrink by nearly one-third by 2072.
