I asked some Westerners what the dating scene was like in Korea. Here is another unedited response:

Shirley Wood*, Female Aged 20-25, Canadian

Korea men have been very forward with me. At bars like NB in Gangnam where there are primarily Korean people, I simply have to walk to the bathroom by myself to be approached by Korean guys. Shyness doesn’t seem to be an issue… and they almost always buy me a drink immediately and then cling to my side. I’m not complaining about this, its kinda cute. But I have been wary with them because I’ve heard the same thing that Elizabeth mentioned, that they’re just looking for some action and apparently Western girls are easier than tying your shoes. Walking down the street, guys’ll shout “Beautiful”…. now I’m not sure if they’re simply saying the only English word they know, or if they’re trying to pick me up. But if they’re trying to pick me up, it’s a pretty poor tactic. Giving out business cards to women seems to be another trademark for Korean men. (And for a friend of ours, haha.) But seriously, men don’t seem afraid to approach me on the subway to strike up a conversation, then give me their business card. I’m starting a collection. Age is of no concern for these men as some have been balding, and some are still wearing their school uniforms – but the younger ones give me cookies or candies instead of business cards. The weirdest experience by far, which you may have read about in one of my early blog entries, was when an old Korean man mistook me (presumably) for a Russian prostitute. He kept talking about how lonely he was and then offered me an envelope. When I opened it, it was filled with hundreds of Won that I quickly refused. At the next transfer (which we luckily both shared) I tried to sneak off into the crowd, but he found me and was waving the money around yet again. Quite persistent. So all in all, I think it’s VERY easy for foreign women to meet Korean men…. BUT finding a quality one with less than a 15 year age gap from me has proven to be a challenge.

Now I’ve also been hit on by Korean women, and have been surprised at how forward they can be. But for the most part, my female Korean friends seem like they’re looking for a long-term commitment with men – AKA they’re obsessed with the idea of marriage. One, for example, is in her 30’s and still living at home with her parents because she’s single… so she’s dying to get married and get away from her mother. Korean women also seem (generalization of course) needy when they’re in a relationship. One male Korean friend has to call his girlfriend several times during day to ensure that she’s “okay”. I’ve also seen countless Korean women crying to their boyfriends on the subway while their boyfriend consoles them. Korean men who are in a relationship act “whipped” by Western standards. Prime example – men usually carry their girlfriend/wife’s purse for her. You’d never see that at home… I know my past boyfriends wouldn’t hold my purse out on the end of stick for me if I’d asked them. Although the men here also have their own man purses to carry so I guess it doesn’t seem as weird.

When I first came here, I had never really been attracted to Korean men at all. But over the course of the last 3 months, they’ve grown on me and I’m definetly open to the idea of dating one if the opportunity presents itself. A couple of male teachers at my school are pretty cute…. so who knows? I have heard that some Korean women will date foreigners just so they can practice speaking English more often. And after seeing some of the most drop-dead gorgeous Korean women holding hands with the slobbiest most over-weight Western men in Itaewon, I wonder if that could be true in some cases?? But basically my opinion on a foreigner dating a Korean is: why not? If they’re both interested in each other for the right reasons… it’s just natural.

*Pseudonym used to protect the innocent