"I Wish My In-Laws Were Songpa Residents Too"... 200 Join Heliocity Matchmaking Company

Customized Matchmaking in a 10,000-Unit Complex
Matchmaking Trends Spread in Gangnam's Luxury Apartments

A marriage agency bearing the name of the large-scale apartment complex "Heliocity" in Garak-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul-where the sale price per pyeong has surpassed 100 million won-has opened its doors. This is the second case in Korea where a marriage agency has used the name of an apartment complex, following "Raemian One Bailey" in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu.

Heliocity panorama.

Heliocity is a mammoth apartment complex with 9,510 units that welcomed residents in 2018. Located adjacent to Songpa Station on Subway Line 8, it is regarded as a prime residential area in the Gangnam 3 districts. As of October this year, the standard 84-square-meter unit-popular among Korean households-has been trading in the 3 billion won range, underscoring its status as a high-end apartment.

This marriage agency established itself in a commercial space within the Heliocity complex in June this year. The agency is led by Mr. Seo, a lifelong Songpa-gu resident and Heliocity tenant, who has leveraged his 30 years of experience as a local real estate agent-during which he assisted in matchmaking among residents-into this business. Within three months of opening, the agency attracted 200 members, about two-thirds of whom are Heliocity residents, while the remainder are residents of nearby complexes such as "Olympic Park Foreon" in Dunchon-dong, Gangdong-gu.

Such matchmaking gatherings for residents' children are becoming increasingly common in core apartment complexes of Seoul's Gangnam area. At "Raemian One Bailey" in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, the "One Matchmaking Association" began as a group connecting unmarried residents' children, and is now officially operated as a corporation called "One Bailey Nobility." Initially, membership was limited to apartment residents, but the association has since expanded to include the entire Seocho and Gangnam areas, and now allows residents from other regions to join through referrals.

Membership fees vary by tier. The basic tier costs 500,000 won per year and offers small group blind dates, while the premium tier requires 11 million won for two years and provides personalized one-on-one matchmaking for professionals. This structure is designed to help residents' children meet partners with similar backgrounds and circumstances.

In another example, the "Beautiful Connection" group was established for single men and women living in the "Tower Palace 2nd" complex in Dogok-dong. This group provides a natural setting for residents of luxury apartments to meet, expanding opportunities through small parties, hobby activities, and expert lectures.