How South Korean Media is Reframing Divorce for Millennials and Gen Z

In South Korea, where divorce was once heavily stigmatized, a cultural shift is underway, initiated by domestic media entertainment.

The media has softened how the public views divorce with dating shows like Love After Divorce, known in Korea as “Dolsingles” (돌싱글즈), a colloquialized Konglish (Korean-English) abbreviation for “dolsing” (돌싱) or a “returned single.”

Rather than labeling someone as a “divorced (wo)man”, the term “돌싱” (dolsing) suggests a fresh start, framing divorcees not as failures, but as individuals returning to the dating world. This euphemism lightens the gravity of divorce, equating it more with a breakup—a concept Koreans are far more comfortable with regarding relationships.

Love After Divorce: Audience response and cross-cultural appeal

Love After Divorce is a Korean reality show available on Netflix and YouTube that brings together divorced individuals looking for a second chance at love. Currently, it has six seasons domestically and four available on Netflix USA. The show has gained a loyal fanbase, receiving praise for its heartfelt storytelling and empathetic approach. Instead of casting divorcees as “damaged goods,” it depicts them as multidimensional people who’ve experienced hardship but are still deserving of connection.

Season 4, which featured first-generation Korean immigrants living in the U.S., achieved a peak viewership rating of 3.8% in South Korea, according to Nielsen Korea. Additionally, the show ranked third in non-drama TV popularity during its first week, as reported by Good Data Corporation. Internationally, the season has amassed over 36 million hours viewed on Netflix to date (Flix Patrol).

The show’s success stems from its ability to strike a delicate balance between the familiarity of Korean programming and the emotional openness often found in American reality shows. 

Western hits like The Bachelor or Love is Blind lean heavily into spectacle, thriving on drama, plot twists, and emotional meltdowns. While entertaining, the intensity can feel excessive or even vulgar to some viewers, both Western and Korean. This target audience tends to prefer more subtle and introspective portrayals of romance, as typically seen in K-dramas.

On the other end of the spectrum, Korean dating shows like Single’s Inferno are polished and aesthetically curated, but criticized for feeling overly performative. Contestants sometimes appear acutely aware of the camera, carefully crafting their on-screen personas. This can lead to a sense of emotional distance for viewers craving authenticity.

Season 4 of Love After Divorce finds a rare sweet spot. It blends American-style emotional vulnerability with the modesty and self-restraint more familiar to Korean audiences. The result is a show that feels both refreshingly honest and culturally grounded, resonating with audiences not just in Korea but globally.

Why does this matter? Because the show is not just for entertainment (as entertaining as it is); it helps normalize open conversations about divorce and emotional healing in a society where such topics are often kept behind closed doors. By presenting divorcees as multidimensional, emotionally resilient, and worthy of love, Love After Divorce challenges the stigma that often surrounds failed marriages in South Korean culture.

How Love After Divorce is helping reduce stigma in South Korean culture 

Benita Lee, who runs a family-owned manufacturing business and is one of season four’s contestants, described the experience as unexpectedly healing:

“I didn’t have a lot of moments to laugh because I focused on work and lived a dry life [after my divorce]. This past month felt like a sweet rain.”

Another contestant, Sora Lee, shared her inner conflict:

“I don’t think I’m any less of a woman or a human. But I’m scared. All I wanted was to find love and be loved.”

According to her Instagram, Lee worked previously in big tech companies like Meta and TikTok and is now a self-made entrepreneur. Her confidence and background, combined with her vulnerable story of leaving her abusive ex-husband, came as a shock to viewers. Although she did not find a match, Lee received much support and was one of the series’ favorite cast members.

Statistics on divorce in South Korea & social shifts

According to the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS), divorce rates in Korea have declined from 2.1 divorces per 1,000 people in 2020 to 1.8 in 2023. However, this decline is mostly due to fewer people getting married in the first place, rather than a significant cultural rejection of divorce (Lawis Korea).

In 2023, KOSIS reported that the primary reasons for divorce were personality differences (45%) and economic hardship (25%). Additionally, societal factors contribute not only to divorce but the decrease in marriage rates. 

Economic independence amongst women suggests greater agency and a shift away from more traditional, patriarchal expectations. The spread of individualism encourages people to prioritize the self over marital relationships, leading to divorce rather than attempting to resolve conflicts.

Generational values are also evolving. Gen Z and millennials in Korea are more open to the idea of divorce, influenced by global cultural exposure and the prioritization of personal fulfillment. A 2023 survey conducted by HRC Opinion provides insight into changing attitudes toward divorce and remarriage among Koreans. The survey found that 86% of respondents were admissible to divorce, and 90% believe that remarriage after divorce was acceptable, indicating a growing acceptance of divorce within Korean society.

Haewon Park, 29, a native of Seoul, noted that based on conversations with friends and co-workers alike, divorce is much more normalized than before due to the effects of media exposure. 

“These days, having been divorced once is seen as better than being a “gold miss” (a never-married, career-focused woman). In fact, if someone remains single into their late 30s, people might assume something is wrong with them and avoid them,” Park said. “But if you’re divorced, people now tend to just think, ‘You tried once, and it didn’t work out.’ It doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you.”

Religious and conservative values still fuel social stigma around divorce

Despite the increasingly positive view of divorcees, resistance remains in more conservative parts of Korean society. Korea has one of the largest Christian populations in Asia, and Christianity is the most popular religion in the country at about 20% (Statista). Combined with the teachings of the Bible and history rooted in Confucianism, where divorce for women was considered an ultimate punishment, these views contribute to ongoing stigma and silence around divorce in modern day, particularly among older generations. 

This dynamic mirrors sentiments in many Asian American families, especially among first-generation immigrants. Divorce is often viewed not only as a personal failure but as a familial disgrace. The cultural expectation to maintain appearances can create enormous emotional strain. 

Felix Park, 28, a second-generation Korean American from Virginia, offers a personal glimpse into the intergenerational tension around divorce:

“My parents are Catholic/Christian, not to the point they attend service regularly, [but] I don’t think they view divorce positively,” he said. “I think they see it as something to avoid at all costs. Like, ‘divorce hurts the family/children too much, so you should try your best to push through all the problems.’” 

“It’s somewhat similar to the Christian view in the sense that marriage is a commitment you need to uphold. I think my views are similar,” Park said.

Despite the wariness against divorce, Park’s parents do not perceive divorce as a “scar,” as more conservative families may. “They’re actually fairly progressive—and maybe it’s because extended family and family friends have gone through divorce,” he said.

The gendered reality of divorce for South Korean women

Divorce in South Korea still disproportionately affects women—not just socially, but also economically. While the term “dolsing” has helped reduce some of the stigma, deep-rooted gender expectations still shape post-divorce realities.

Statistically, women face a 45% drop in income after divorce compared to just 10% for men (LawPro 2023). Women are also awarded custody in 80% of cases, which often comes with the dual burden of caregiving and financial instability. This imbalance contributes to a lower remarriage rate for women (18%) compared to men (30%), driven in part by societal judgment, economic hardship, and childcare responsibilities.

These disparities stem from structural issues: a workforce that penalizes career breaks, minimal child support enforcement, and outdated gender norms that continue to cast divorced women as failures. The result is what some experts call the “feminization of poverty,” where post-divorce life for many women becomes a long-term struggle for stability.

Without systemic support such as housing assistance, re-employment programs, and a cultural shift toward shared parenting, divorce for women in Korea often comes with far more than emotional fallout. It becomes a fight for basic survival and dignity.

Why TV shows like Love After Divorce matter

Love After Divorce isn’t just a dating TV show—it’s a cultural thermometer. By humanizing divorced individuals and giving them a platform to be vulnerable, the show actively reshapes how Koreans view the concept of “happily ever after” or even a “match made in heaven.” It offers hope that love isn’t a one-shot opportunity but something that can happen again, even after heartbreak or a messy divorce. 

In a patriarchal society where women in particular bear the brunt of divorce stigma, that’s no small message. And as Korea, as well as the broader AAPI diaspora, continues to grapple with shifting family structures, shows like Love After Divorce play a vital role in normalizing post-divorce life.

For Korean Americans living in the U.S., like the season four contestants of Love After Divorce, Hello Divorce can help individuals navigate this emotional and difficult transition. If you need help understanding your options, schedule a free call with one of our caring team members here.

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