The protagonists of the movie “About Time” meet for the first time in darkness, in a restaurant where the dining experience is completely devoid of light. There are no preconceptions between them—no knowledge of each other’s appearance or body shape. The conversation alone creates a peculiar atmosphere. Only after stepping into the light do they discuss each other’s appearance, marking the beginning of an exciting romance.
In an era where decisions are made by swiping left or right based on photos, the idea of forming an attraction without seeing someone’s face seems implausible. Yet, there are places that defy this trend, like the so-called ‘dark cafés.’ These establishments match people based on their preferences, and the couple then engages in an hour-long conversation in a pitch-black room. Whether they meet in the light or exchange contact information afterward is up to them. This ‘dark dating’ is becoming wildly popular among young people in South Korea.
“Please apply your preferred perfume on your wrist.” The Chosunilbo reporter stepped into a dark dating café near Seoul National University Station. After choosing and applying a scent themed around wood, sea, or fruit, the staff guided the reporter by the shoulder into a pitch-black room. Finding a seat by touch, the reporter realized that the other person was seated across by their presence.
“Hello, nice to meet you,” he said. Perhaps because of the darkness, his deep voice resonated more profoundly. “Nice to meet you too. You have a nice voice,” I replied, feeling a sense of excitement. The only sounds were my heartbeat and his voice, heightening the tension. Then began the exploration phase, asking each other about hobbies and interests.
Visitors input their dating preferences into an app before arriving. After selecting interests like ‘travel,’ ‘whiskey,’ or ‘baseball,’ they are matched with a compatible partner. Unlike other dating apps, no selfies are required, and there’s no pre-meeting chat. AI matches people with similar tendencies, which can happen within a day or take up to two months. Finding a true connection isn’t easy, after all.
Though you can’t see them, you can sense them. Dark dating emphasizes the sense of smell over sight, engaging primal instincts. A mini-game where participants guess the perfume on each other’s wrist maximizes these instincts.
Before leaving, participants have three options: ‘A. I want to meet right now.’ ‘B. I want to exchange contact information tomorrow.’ ‘C. I’ll leave it as a memory of today.’ Surprisingly, 9 out of 10 choose option A. The main demographic is women aged 25-29 and men aged 30-34. Such cafés are becoming highly popular, with up to 15 couples visiting visiting each café on weekends. Seoyoung Woo (28), the CEO of the café the reporter visited, said, “Typically, people meet with preconceived notions based on appearance and credentials. We wanted to reverse the process, allowing them to see the inner person first before confronting external conditions.”
Dark dating seeks to create connections that go against current trends. These days, people typically have a brief conversation over a meal and, if there’s mutual interest, continue to a café or bar. If not, they part ways. Group dating events, where 6 to 20 men and women meet simultaneously, reflect this fast-paced approach. Each participant wears a name card listing their job, education, and income. Interaction time per person is limited to 10-15 minutes, with men rotating tables.
Office worker Won (32) started a relationship through such an event. He said, “In your 30s, you’re more selective, so the chances of a successful match are lower. Meeting 12 people at once helps find the ideal partner quickly.”
Experts see this trend towards new types of dating, like dark dating, as a response from young people tired of short-term relationships. Group dating events organized by Buddhist organizations, where participants share religious values, also highlight this. Professor Koo Jeong-woo of Sungkyunkwan University’s sociology department commented, “The essence of dating is finding someone compatible. ‘Dark dating’ provides an alternative meeting place in a world obsessed with appearances.”
