Dating in Korea

Dating is a tricky subject no matter where you are in the world.  That is no different here in Korea.  I have dated more here, than I ever did back home.  Partially because I now have the free time to date but also moving half way around the wold has made me more confident in myself.

Dating in Korea can be tricky but also great.  The tricky part comes with the whole Baekma culture here, or "riding the white horse."  Some men see western women, especially white women, as something that they have fantasies of and "wish to concur" in bed.  These men do not wish to date you but only have sex with you.  However, this culture does play into the second type of man you will meet here in Korea.

The man who will date you for a long time and then break up with you because you are "only good for dating but never marriage."  This is a parent thing more than a guy thing.  Many men are very family oriented and if their mother or father or whomever says they do not like you, often times they will break up with you.  Weither that happen in the first month of dating or after a year of dating.  It can be hard dating these types of men because you think things are great and then bam..."my so and so said I can't marry a foreigner and so we must break up."  Even if you have talked of your future and marriage together before.  (yes I am cynical)

You also meet other expats here.  However, they are far fewer and often do not stay as long as others or are here briefly with the military.  So, it can be hard to date other expats.

Dating for me has been hard.  I have had 3 serious boyfriends here, with countless dates.  I am 28 and looking for love but sometimes I wonder if Korea is the right place for me to be in regards to love.  I absolutely love my life here and most aspects of Korean society but dating and love have been hard.  I want to find someone to love and marry but as of late I have been wondering if I will find that in Korea.  It can be hard, overcoming cultural differences or time differences, or location differences.  Dating in Korea has made me wonder about my future and the potential of marriage and what I want.  Will it happen, should I give up, what are my options?  And honestly, I have no idea.  I am just playing it by ear and letting things happen.  Which is what we should all do when it comes to love, I guess.