Budding Relationships in the Spring Breeze... Gumi's 'Dugeundugeun~ing' Kicks Off Successfully

Dugeundugeun~ing Session 1 Provides a Natural Meeting Place for Single Men and Women
Sixty Young Singles from Gumi Experience Their First Encounters Amid Spring Excitement
Since 2016, 756 Participants, 131 Couples Matched, 20 Marriages

On April 19, the city of Gumi in North Gyeongsang Province successfully concluded the first session of the 'Dugeundugeun~ing' event at Hotel Geumosan, with 60 single men and women participating.

Budding Relationships in the Spring Breeze... Gumi's 'Dugeundugeun~ing' Kicks Off Successfully

60 Young Men and Women in Gumi, First Meeting Amid the Excitement of Spring Days

This event was hosted by the city of Gumi and organized by the Population and Future Association for Collaborative Creation.

The 'Dugeundugeun~ing' event is a matchmaking program for single men and women, designed to promote a positive perception of dating and marriage and to encourage natural encounters.

Notably, it serves as Gumi's flagship population policy initiative to address the issue of low birth rates. This year, it will be expanded to a total of four sessions. The second session is scheduled for May 17, the third for August 23, and the fourth for September 20.

Participants in the first session got to know each other through various couple-matching programs, such as team building, lunch dates, photo missions, one-on-one round talks, and couple quizzes. Even after the main event, the city will continue to provide opportunities for interaction, such as 'after parties' and 'team self-help meetings,' to help foster natural relationships.

Recruitment for participants began in March. A total of 440 single men and women aged 20 to 39, who either reside or work in Gumi, applied, demonstrating high interest. Applicants came from a variety of occupational backgrounds, including public institutions (93), large enterprises (134), small and medium-sized businesses (125), self-employed (17), and others (71).

Kim Jangho, Mayor of Gumi, stated, "I hope this event will serve as a meaningful starting point for all participants who are looking forward to new relationships," and added, "I hope that sincere communication will lead not just to simple meetings, but to deeper connections."

Since its inception in 2016, a total of 756 people have participated in 'Dugeundugeun~ing,' resulting in 131 couples being matched, with 20 of those couples going on to marry. Currently, 5 couples are preparing for marriage. The city plans to continue expanding this program as a long-term measure to address the low birth rate issue.

Meanwhile, Gumi plans to continuously improve the program by incorporating participant surveys and feedback, and to further develop it as a demand-oriented, customized event.