A South Korean matchmaking firm has launched a program that aims to bring together women property owners with men unable to provide a marriage home. This move makes sense given the soaring property prices in the country. The idea goes against the Korean tradition in which the man provides the home and the woman supplies "honsu" -- the household contents.
But the Sunoo company says 480 men and 150 women, all aged in their thirties, have signed up for its programme since it was launched three weeks ago.
Sunoo arranges dates between men with decent jobs but no property and women who already own a home.
Marriage traditions have been changing slowly, especially among young people, Park Young-Sun, spokeswoman for Sunoo, told AFP Wednesday.
"Usually, men would be wealthier than women when they are paired up by us, but due to changes in circumstances such as economic difficulties there can be a reversal of roles," she told AFP.
She said the response to the programme, especially from men, had been much better than expected, with more than 60 matches made as of last week.
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"Women understand such difficulties, so they just want someone with a decent job and a good personality."
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Park said some older bachelors were still shy about such a match because it hurts their self-esteem. But other singles were realistic.
"It doesn't matter who's richer as long as they can help each other for a better start in life," she said.
Source-AFP