Nikkei Reports on Korean Wedding Culture
"Emphasis on Appearance and Social Standing"
The Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) has reported on the average wedding expenses of newlywed couples in South Korea, as well as aspects of Korean wedding culture such as "Seudeume" (studio, dress, makeup).
On November 2 (local time), Nikkei cited the results of a survey conducted by the matchmaking company Duo, which targeted 1,000 couples in their second year of marriage. According to the report, the average wedding cost for newlyweds in South Korea amounts to 361.73 million won.
The greatest burden was housing costs. Nikkei analyzed that "due to South Korea's jeonse system, the initial capital required to secure a newlywed home is excessively high." In fact, housing expenses among total wedding costs reached 304.08 million won, an increase of more than 60 million won from the previous year.
Wedding ceremony costs are also rising sharply. According to data released by the Korea Consumer Agency in September, the average wedding ceremony expense was 21.6 million won, up 4% over three months. The Seoul metropolitan area recorded the highest at 26.65 million won, more than double that of Gyeongsang Province (11.81 million won).
The report also mentioned "Seudeume," which has become essential in Korean weddings, introducing it as "the cost of preparing for photo shoots in Korea." It further noted the emergence of the term "Seudeume-flation," referring to rising labor and studio costs.
Nikkei pointed out, "South Korea's strong Confucian culture places great emphasis on appearance, social standing, and tradition in weddings." While the "small wedding" style, which invites only a few guests, is gaining attention, the article questioned whether the older generation would accept it. Regarding the rapidly increasing wedding expenses, Nikkei remarked that it raises the question, "Who are weddings really for?"
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