Blindfolded walks, K-pop dances and romance: Inside Korea's Buddhist matchmaking program

On Saturday, a group of individuals convened at the Korea Culture Training Institute in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, for a unique matchmaking program called "I'm Solo at the Temple." This event, organized by the Social Welfare Foundation of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, drew inspiration from the popular dating reality show, "I Am Solo." Participants gathered under a clear autumn sky, ready to embark on a series of activities designed to foster connection and potential romance.

The evening kicked off with a blindfolded walk, a novel way to break the ice between potential matches. In this activity, men and women were paired off, with the women covering their eyes with black blindfolds and the men guiding them. They took turns in these roles, swapping from guiding to being guided, as they traversed the trail's halfway point. When one person hesitated to take a step, their partner would gently guide them by the elbow, fostering a sense of mutual trust and support.

As the night progressed, some participants found themselves holding hands naturally, a gesture that spoke volumes about the blossoming affection among them. A 32-year-old participant, who wished to remain anonymous and is known as Kang, shared her thoughts on the experience. "It was nice to walk while relying on the other person," she said. "It feels like affection blossomed through small moments of physical contact."

The foundation carefully selected 20 participants out of 513 applicants to spend the day together, providing them with the opportunity to get to know potential matches in a unique and unconventional setting. Throughout the day, organizers arranged a series of activities aimed at fostering connection and creating a fun, relaxed environment for singles to meet and interact.