Matchmaking companies named after ultra-luxury house complexes in southern Seoul are rising, reflecting a rising development through which an individual’s deal with capabilities as a form of social credential. At Helio Metropolis in Songpa and Raemian One Bailey in Seocho, resident-driven marriage networks have formalized into full corporations — drawing each curiosity and criticism over what many are calling a deepening type of class-based relationship.
In line with trade officers, a matchmaking firm named “Helio Marriage Info” formally opened in June contained in the industrial space of Helio Metropolis, one in all Seoul’s most recognizable high-end developments. The corporate, based by an actual property agent with three many years of expertise in Songpa District, attracted round 200 members inside three months — about two-thirds of them Helio Metropolis residents, with the remainder dwelling in close by complexes.
Helio Metropolis, which welcomed its first residents in 2018, is among the largest house complexes within the nation, boasting 9,510 households and robust transportation entry. A unit measuring 84 sq. meters set a document this month, promoting for 3.075 billion received ($2.2 million), underscoring the realm’s standing as one of many capital’s most prestigious addresses.
The same phenomenon is unfolding at Raemian One Bailey, an upscale 2,990-unit complicated in Banpo that has not too long ago seen costs exceed 200 million received per pyeong (3.3 sq. meters). A resident-organized group created final December as an inner matchmaking circle served as the muse for a corporation referred to as “One Bailey The Aristocracy” which formally launched in July.
Whereas the resident-organized group solely accepted residents, One Bailey The Aristocracy expanded membership eligibility to individuals dwelling throughout the Seocho, Gangnam and Banpo Districts. Membership charges range broadly, from annual plans that value 500,000 received to premium choices priced at 11 million received for 2 years.
Tower Palace in Dogok-dong, one in all Korea’s earliest luxurious high-rise residential complexes, is seeing comparable developments. Residents not too long ago shaped a bunch to introduce single women and men throughout the complicated, and the organizers are reportedly getting ready extra gatherings for singles in neighboring luxurious areas.
Public response to those apartment-based matchmaking networks is sharply divided. Supporters say such teams are sensible as a result of “identification verification is straightforward and other people meet others with comparable property,” boosting effectivity within the matchmaking course of.
Critics, nevertheless, warn that creating marriage circles primarily based on residential clusters dangers entrenching class divisions. They argue {that a} closed marriage market shaped round high-priced actual property might speed up social stratification in a rustic the place inequality and housing costs are already delicate points.
This text from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Occasions, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Occasions.
