Korean men, foreign women give 10-minute 'rotation dating' a try in Seoul
Singles in Seoul are turning to 'rotation sogaeting,' a structured dating event where participants switch partners every 10 minutes. This format is gaining popularity as a more intentional alternative to dating apps for both locals and foreigners.
Why it matters
It highlights shifting social dynamics in urban dating cultures and the growing fatigue with digital-first matchmaking platforms.
SEOUL: Dating apps left Nicole feeling less like a potential partner than a possible English tutor.
“What I learned from using dating apps is that people will meet me because it’s cheaper to buy lunch than take an English class,” said Nicole, 37. “Being flirted with is a bonus for them.”
On Sunday, Nicole joined 10 other foreign women and 11 Korean men at a Seoul event organised by SoloLink. Participants met in pairs, switching partners every 10 minutes in a format known as “rotation sogaeting.”
The format adapts the traditional Korean practice of meeting a potential partner through a friend or acquaintance. Instead of a single introduction, participants meet several people in one sitting.
“I want to promote myself as someone more serious,” Nicole said before the event. “I want to prove that I’m not just playing around on a dating app.”
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