• Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on 11 November 2026 that its final Seoulting event of the year will be held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza on 12 December.
  • Places rise to 150 from 100, the first such expansion, with 75 men and 75 women chosen by random draw.
  • City figures reported by Newspim show 17,672 cumulative applicants and 179 matched couples since November 2024.
  • Applications run from 9 a.m. on 12 November to 1 p.m. on 30 November; results are notified on 8 December.

Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced the last round of its city-run "Seoulting 2.0" matchmaking programme for 2026, and it is bigger than any before it. The Korea Times reported on 11 November that the event will take place at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) on 12 December, with applications opening on 12 November. The event has not yet been held.

The programme has matched 179 couples since it began in November 2024. Seoul Economic Daily reported that the city raised places to 150 from 100, citing steady demand and the space available at DDP.

The DII Take

A municipal government is running a repeatable, sponsor-funded singles event, and it is oversubscribed every time. City figures put the average competition ratio at 25:1, peaking at 36:1. Even at 150 places, most applicants will be turned away, which is a demand signal in-person dating operators should read carefully. This is a public-policy tool, not a commercial product, and DII does not suggest otherwise.

Demand outstrips places, and sponsors pay

According to figures from the city reproduced by Newspim, 7,378 of the 17,672 cumulative applicants were men and 10,294 were women, or 58.3% women. Seoul Economic Daily reported that the September Hangang River bus edition drew 2,370 applications and matched 28 couples, while the October outdoor dining edition in Sangbong drew 1,448 applicants and matched 25.

Korean reports of the city release say the DDP event is funded by a donation from KB Financial Group. The city's own earlier release said Hanwha General Insurance co-ran previous events, and Shinhan Card covered the operating costs of the September 2026 Han River bus event. Corporate sponsorship is a recurring model.

Even at 150 places, most applicants will be turned away, which is a demand signal in-person dating operators should read carefully.

Selection is by random draw of 75 men and 75 women. Applicants must be never-married Seoul residents aged 25 to 45 who are economically active, and must supply documents proving residence, marital status and employment. For a privately run in-person format, see DII's coverage of Bored of Dating Apps' Boston singles night.

What to watch

Watch the application count for the DDP round against the 1,448 in October and 2,370 in September, and whether 150 places lift the number of couples matched beyond 28. Seoul Economic Daily also reported plans to expand follow-up benefits tied to city policies. Ma Chae-sook of the city's Women and Family Affairs Office said, in Seoul Economic Daily's translation: "We hope many single men and women will apply."

  • Seoul's Seoulting programme, with 17,672 cumulative applicants for 179 matches, shows how heavily oversubscribed curated in-person events can be.
  • Bank and insurer sponsorship, including KB Financial Group for the DDP event, funds the city's matchmaking rounds without a commercial dating product.
  • Applications close at 1 p.m. on 30 November; the 12 December result will show whether 150 places raise the match count.

Sources: 서울시, 12월 DDP서 미혼남녀 만남 프로그램 '서울팅' 개최…150명 모집 (Newspim); 23 Couples were Matched at Seoul's Dating Event for Singles with 35.6:1 Competition Ratio (Seoul Metropolitan Government); Seoul to bring 150 singles together in latest bid to encourage marriage (The Korea Times); Seoul Dating Program That Matched 179 Couples Holds Final 2026 Event at DDP (Seoul Economic Daily)