A growing number of men from South Korea are traveling to Japan with the hope of finding Japanese wives. Some of these men make multiple trips each year until they find a partner. This trend is influenced by cultural expectations and financial pressures in South Korea.

One man, Ha Kyungmin, who is 35 and works in research and development, traveled to Japan for a matchmaking event. He had been learning Japanese to prepare for this. He spent over one million yen (approximately $6,700 USD) on his trip, including matchmaking fees and personal grooming. He mentioned that in Korea, it is expected for the man to provide a home when getting married, and without a loan, it could take until he is 40 to afford a house. He believes Japanese women may have less financial expectations for men compared to Korean women.

Marriage agencies in Japan that help match Korean men with Japanese women have seen a significant increase in applications. One agency reported receiving over 8,000 applications from Korean men. The agency's director, Hong Daeeui, noted that many Korean men had almost given up on marriage in their home country, and they find the idea of Japanese women working as a team appealing. The agencies attribute this trend to the financial demands of Korean marriage customs, particularly the requirement for men to provide housing.

Japanese women are also showing more interest in marrying Korean men. Some women who attended matchmaking events have said that through Korean dramas and shows, they perceive Korean men as very capable and almost perfect. Experts suggest that many younger Japanese women have been exposed to Korean movies and pop culture since childhood, leading to positive views of Korean men, seeing them as cool and stylish.

Ha Kyungmin met eight women at a matchmaking event but did not find a partner on this occasion. He remains committed to continuing his search. As the cultural connections between Japan and South Korea grow, it is expected that marriages between people from these two countries may become more common.

Original article

Actionable Information: There is no actionable information provided in this article. It describes a trend and an individual's experience but offers no steps, plans, or safety tips for readers.

Educational Depth: The article provides some educational depth by explaining the cultural and financial pressures in South Korea that contribute to this trend, specifically the expectation for men to provide housing. It also touches on the perception of Korean men by Japanese women due to pop culture exposure. However, it does not delve deeply into the historical context or systemic reasons behind these cultural expectations.

Personal Relevance: The topic has personal relevance for individuals in South Korea facing similar marriage pressures or for those interested in cross-cultural relationships. It highlights financial considerations and differing cultural expectations in marriage, which can impact personal life choices and financial planning.

Public Service Function: The article does not serve a public service function. It does not offer warnings, safety advice, or official information. It reports on a social trend without providing any public benefit or resources.

Practicality of Advice: No advice is given in the article, so its practicality cannot be assessed.

Long-Term Impact: The article does not offer advice or actions with lasting good effects. It reports on a current trend that may or may not continue in the long term.

Emotional or Psychological Impact: The article might evoke curiosity or a sense of understanding regarding the motivations behind these cross-cultural marriages. It does not appear to be designed to evoke strong negative emotions like fear or helplessness.

Clickbait or Ad-Driven Words: The article does not use clickbait or ad-driven language. It presents information in a factual, reportorial style.

Missed Chances to Teach or Guide: The article misses opportunities to provide more practical guidance. For instance, if a reader were interested in pursuing a similar path, the article could have offered information on reputable matchmaking agencies, cultural sensitivity training, or resources for learning Japanese. It could also have provided more data on the success rates or challenges faced by couples in such international marriages. A reader looking for more information could research Korean and Japanese marriage customs, explore language learning platforms, or look for official government resources on international marriage.

The described trend of South Korean men seeking Japanese wives through matchmaking events reveals a complex web of cultural, financial, and social factors that can potentially impact the strength and survival of families and local communities.

Firstly, the financial pressures and expectations surrounding marriage in South Korea are a significant concern. The requirement for men to provide housing before marriage creates a substantial economic burden, potentially delaying or preventing marriage for many. This financial barrier not only affects the individual's ability to form a family but also shifts the responsibility of housing provision onto the man, potentially diminishing the natural duties of both parents to provide for their children.

The pursuit of Japanese wives by South Korean men, driven by perceived financial and cultural expectations, raises questions about the protection of children and the care of elders. If this trend becomes widespread, it could lead to a situation where the traditional family structure is weakened, with potential consequences for the care and upbringing of the next generation. The idea that Japanese women may have "less financial expectations" could encourage a dynamic where the financial responsibilities of marriage are not shared equitably, potentially leading to an imbalance in family duties and responsibilities.

Furthermore, the influence of pop culture and media, such as Korean dramas, on the perceptions of Japanese women is a notable factor. This can create unrealistic expectations and potentially lead to a superficial understanding of relationships and marriage. If these perceptions are not grounded in reality, it could lead to a breakdown in trust and understanding within families, impacting the long-term stability and survival of these unions.

The involvement of marriage agencies and the reported high number of applications from Korean men also raises concerns. The commercial nature of these agencies and the potential for financial exploitation could further fracture the trust and responsibility within kinship bonds. Additionally, the reported 8,000 applications from Korean men seeking Japanese wives suggests a potential imbalance in the number of available partners, which could lead to competition and potentially aggressive behaviors, further eroding community trust and peace.

The protection of modesty and privacy, particularly in the context of sex-separated spaces, is also a critical aspect. The erosion of local authority and family control over these boundaries, as a result of central rules or ideologies, can increase confusion and risk, especially for vulnerable individuals. Practical solutions, such as single-occupant facilities or family-managed accommodations, should be considered to maintain privacy and dignity while upholding sex-based protections.

In conclusion, if these ideas and behaviors spread unchecked, the consequences for families and communities could be severe. The potential weakening of family structures, the erosion of trust and responsibility within kinship bonds, and the potential for increased competition and aggressive behaviors could all lead to a breakdown in community cohesion and the ability to care for and protect the vulnerable. The survival of the people and the stewardship of the land depend on the strength and stability of families and local communities, and these trends, if not addressed, could have long-term detrimental effects on the continuity and well-being of these vital social units.

The text uses words that make Korean men seem like they are in a bad situation. It says they "had almost given up on marriage in their home country." This makes it sound like they have no other choice but to look elsewhere. It helps explain why they are going to Japan.

The text suggests that Japanese women like Korean men because of Korean pop culture. It says they "perceive Korean men as very capable and almost perfect." This might be a bit of an exaggeration. It makes the Korean men seem more desirable based on media, not necessarily on who they are as individuals.

The text focuses on the financial reasons for Korean men seeking Japanese wives. It mentions the "financial demands of Korean marriage customs" and the need to "provide housing." This highlights one reason for the trend. It doesn't explore other possible reasons why Korean men might want to marry Japanese women.

The text uses words like "cool and stylish" to describe how Japanese women see Korean men. This is based on "Korean movies and pop culture." It shows a bias by suggesting that the attraction is based on image and media portrayals rather than genuine connection.

The text conveys a sense of hope and determination through the actions of Korean men like Ha Kyungmin who travel to Japan to find wives. This hope is evident in Ha Kyungmin's repeated trips and his preparation, like learning Japanese, showing a strong desire for marriage. The purpose of highlighting this hope is to show the lengths these men are going to, making their quest relatable and understandable. This emotion helps guide the reader by creating a sense of empathy for the men's situation, making their journey seem significant and worthy of attention.

A feeling of pressure and disappointment is also present, particularly concerning the financial burdens in South Korea. The text explains that men are expected to provide a home, which can take years to achieve, leading some to feel they have "almost given up on marriage." This pressure is strong because it directly impacts a fundamental life goal. The purpose of showing this pressure is to explain the underlying reasons for the trend, making the men's actions seem less like a preference and more like a necessity. This emotion guides the reader by building sympathy and understanding for why these men are seeking partners elsewhere.

Conversely, there is a sense of attraction and positive perception from Japanese women towards Korean men. This is described through their exposure to Korean dramas and pop culture, which leads them to view Korean men as "very capable and almost perfect," "cool and stylish." This positive emotion is strong because it highlights a mutual interest and a cultural bridge. Its purpose is to show that the trend is not one-sided and that there is a genuine appeal on both sides. This emotion guides the reader by presenting a balanced view of the situation, suggesting that these cross-cultural relationships have a solid foundation.

The writer uses emotional language to persuade by focusing on the personal story of Ha Kyungmin and the large numbers reported by agencies. For instance, describing Ha Kyungmin's significant spending and his commitment to continuing his search makes his situation feel real and impactful. The mention of "over 8,000 applications" emphasizes the scale of the trend, making it seem like a widespread and important phenomenon. These personal stories and statistics are like tools that grab the reader's attention and make them feel the weight of the situation, encouraging them to see the trend not just as news, but as a human experience driven by deep-seated emotions and societal pressures.