"Because there are no men. You might think that when you elevate yourself to a certain status, love will easily follow. But it doesn’t work that way. I know many women in their early thirties who are beautiful, smart, kind, successful, and yet, still single. In Korea, men are still afraid of career women. And once you go over your thirties, it just becomes even more difficult to find someone. So don’t let go of your chances at love when you are young because they won’t come so easily the older you get."
—

HJ, answering my question of why so many great women she knows are still single.  (via junimujj)

I don’t know. I do agree with that, but I also think the statement sells many amazing guys short. And it sells many amazing older women short. But maybe that’s just Korea’s culture?

(via noelduan)

   This really struck a cord with me..because I see it everywhere. I’m in my twenties..and even with girls who are younger than me (my cousins), and my aunties around tell me my next biggest goal in life is Marriage. (Mind you, all these women are educated and turned out to be housewives.)

In Korea, if you are a woman time is a ticking time bomb. In fact, time period is pressing against your wrist..sort of like a doctor checking your pulse. You are constantly reminded you only have so much time before you need to be married/have children/be bald/whatever.

Peter Pan comes to mind..People here just do not want to get old. Look at the grown women dressing up like teeny boppers. I can be on the subway and the woman next to me can dress/look just like me, but she might have 2 kids already in elementary school. I see old men and women who are older than my parents have blacker hair then I do.

Korea is going through an ugly change IMHO. You have on one hand, Confucius. On the other, you have news/media/internet changing the new generation.

These women here can probably can cure cancer and look great while doing it..but none of that matters unless they are married. Personally, I definitely think it is not the amazing men being sold short. The amazing men have lines of women waiting in line for them…where as the amazing women, I’m not sure if they are in the line for the men, if they have just given up the idea of marriage because of whatever reason ie career oriented/age/lack of choices.

This is not just a cultural difference, but a universal theme. Women who are more educated and earn more than their partners have a harder time picking their mate. They either find their equal, or they date someone who has a few lines less on their dating resume (this also leads to a higher chance of divorce).

Men do not follow the same pattern. Simple as that.

I have yet to see a Mr.Mom type here in South Korea. The closest thing I can recall is my dad’s best friend. His wife was in charge of the Financial department for a Hotel business here in the states. Where is he now? Nobody knows. My dad says it is because he is ashamed that he turned out to be a stay-at-home dad. He purposely lost contact with all his friends.

So, stay-at-home dads of Seoul..if you read this, send me a message. I want to see you in person and shake your hand. (Probably, ask a few questions as well.)

(via noelduan)