An increasing number of Japanese women are marrying South Korean men, as the influence of K-dramas, rising economic parity and the spread of both online and offline matchmaking services reshape cross-border romance across the Sea of Japan.
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South Korean government data recorded 1,176 such unions last year – a 40 per cent rise from 2023 – while just 147 marriages were registered between South Korean women and Japanese men.
These marriages stand out amid a long-term decline in South Korean nuptials. While total marriages have dropped by nearly 30 per cent over the past decade, international unions have steadily grown over the last three years, accounting for around 10 per cent of all weddings in 2024.
For many couples, the starting point is cultural curiosity. Japan’s hallyu (Korean wave) fascination has been growing since the early 2000s, when K-dramas such as Stairway to Heaven and Jewel in the Palace aired to widespread acclaim. More recently, a younger generation immersed in K-pop, Korean fashion and online language exchanges has embraced deeper personal connections.
That cultural exchange has also played out on television. Premarital Love, a Korea–Japan dating show that premiered in September last year on Korea’s MBN and Japan’s Abeema TV, pairs Japanese women with South Korean men on unscripted dates. The show quickly drew attention for its cross-cultural chemistry and strong viewer engagement, with early episodes generating buzz on South Korean forums for the couples’ natural rapport and relatability.
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