Consumers who sought redress for grievances paid an average of 3.46 million won for matchmaking services. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 17 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent report by the Korea Consumer Agency has shed light on growing concerns in the domestic matchmaking industry, revealing that consumers who sought redress for grievances paid an average of 3.46 million won for matchmaking services.
The agency’s data, released on October 16, shows a troubling trend in the matchmaking sector, with complaints steadily increasing over the past three years. From 2021 to June 2024, the agency received 1,188 requests for dispute resolution related to domestic matchmaking services.
The most common complaint, accounting for 68.4% of cases, involved companies refusing to terminate contracts prematurely or demanding excessive penalties for early termination. This issue highlights the tension between consumer rights and business practices in an industry that deals with a deeply personal aspect of people’s lives.
The demographic breakdown of complainants reveals that individuals in their 30s were the most affected, representing 42.5% of cases, followed by those in their 40s at 27.6%. This data points to the particular vulnerability of young to middle-aged adults in the matchmaking market.
One case study involves a consumer who paid 1.1 million won for a year-long unlimited matchmaking service in August 2021. After being introduced to three potential partners without success, the individual sought to terminate the contract in November. The company refused, citing the promotional nature of the package.
In response to these issues, the Consumer Agency’s Daegu-North Gyeongsang branch, in collaboration with the North Gyeongsang provincial government, conducted an on-site investigation of 20 local matchmaking agencies. They found that 55% of these businesses were using outdated or non-compliant contract terms, prompting recommendations for improvement.
The agency advises consumers to thoroughly verify a matchmaking company’s credentials and carefully review contract terms before signing. Particular attention should be paid to refund policies, which should align with the standard terms set by regulatory authorities.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
