An increasing number of Japanese women are hoping to marry Korean men, driven by the K-culture craze and the spread of social media.

This trend can also be confirmed through actual figures.

Analyzing South Korean statistics, a local Japanese media outlet reported that the number of marriages between Korean men and Japanese women has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, recording 1,483 cases last year.

This is the highest figure since 2000.

A matchmaking agency in Tokyo that supports marriages with Korean men reported that the number of female members this year has doubled compared to last year.

The agency explained that the majority of these women developed a favorable impression through K-pop and Korean dramas.

Another factor contributing to the increase in members is that it has become easier to encounter Korean-Japanese couples through social media.

Additionally, while 40 percent of the male Korean members are not fluent in Japanese, the evolution of translation apps is reportedly lowering communication barriers.