It seems this man is singing without any music. But he is actually wearing a headset like the ones used by recording artists in a studio and singing in front of a standing microphone. This is a noraebang or singing room designed for one person. Mr. Kim Ho-young is the owner of a noraebang for single guests in the Hongdae neighborhood.

This noraebang is for single persons. It is equipped with recording facilities designed for professional singers. The latest trend is living single. Actually a lot of people come here to sing by themselves. They usually come here to practice ahead of a party or a talent show, because it’s kind of awkward to sing alone in a big room and hard to sing only the songs they want to sing. People like it here because they are allowed to sing whatever they want for an hour.

Most noraebangs are made for a group of people to dance, sing, and even go totally wild. But you sometimes have to go along with the atmosphere even if you don’t like the songs or your company. So, single-occupancy noraebangs are perfect for those who want to sing their favorite songs without interruptions. Even if two people come together, they are assigned separate rooms, says Mr. Kim Ho-young.

Each room is equipped with a high-end microphone and headset and even a sound mixer. The room is just big enough for one person to sing and dance, and of course the TV screen is not that big. It’s just like a recording studio. Sometimes two or three people come together and want to go into the same room. They say they would just stand to the side, but our noraebang is single occupancy only.

The single-occupancy noraebang is like having your own concert hall. There is even a full-length mirror on one wall so you can see yourself singing. Mr. Choi Kyung-seok최경석 who lives in Incheon says he often stops by the noraebang for singles on his way home.

I come here once or twice a month, on my way home from school. I like practicing singing by myself, but there wasn’t anywhere I could do that. But now I have a place where I can indulge in my hobby.

Mr. Choi seems to be lost in his own voice. It’s natural for people to feel like a super star, with a headset and a standing microphone in a studio-like environment. You are brimming with confidence as you belt out a song after song. This is what makes single noraebangs so popular. Here’s Mr. Kim Ho-young, owner of a single-occupancy noraebang.

Although enjoying noraebang alone has become a trendy pastime, many people still feel awkward about it. Some guests ask whether their voices can be heard outside, but they are assured that nobody can hear them singing. Wearing a headphone also makes it easy for the singer to get into singing, completely immersed in oneself. Also, a recording machine allows you to record your own singing and even edit and mix it like a real sound engineer. So you can take the best rendition home.

As the number of one-person households increases, single consumers’ changing spending habits are causing retailers to adjust their sales strategies and cater to those living alone. Convenience stores and supermarkets stock their shelves with ready-to-eat items and ingredients for single servings. Even fruits and vegetables are packaged for one-time consumption. Compartmentalized restaurants are also the result of the growing single population.

This restaurant issues meal tickets just like a cafeteria, but its interior resembles an office with numerous small cubicles. Mr. Lee Hyun-seung이현승 is the owner of this restaurant catering to single diners.

The restaurant interior is compartmentalized, allowing diners who came in alone to dine in comfort without having to interact with people sitting next to them. It was renovated to accommodate single diners. There are six tables for two and 11 seats for single diners. The reason we have 11 individual seats is that lone diners really have no place to eat meals. They are sometimes seated at a big table by themselves, making them feel very self-conscious. I decided to design the restaurant this way to make single diners feel comfortable eating here.

Restaurant owner Lee Hyun-seung opened his restaurant five years ago. At the time many customers felt ill at ease, but they have now become most loyal customers.

The biggest merit of my restaurant is that customers don’t have to be conscious of other people’s stares. They don’t even have to interact with the servers, because the diners place their orders at a ticket machine placed near the entrance and ring a bell on the table to call a server who takes the order ticket to the kitchen. That’s the only time the server and customer come in contact. The meal is put out in an independent cubicle and the curtain even comes down in front of the table once the meal is served. You get to dine in your own little space without caring about who is next to you.

The restaurant is laid out in a way that places the kitchen in the middle with bar seats all around it. The table is curtained off, so once an order is placed with the chef and the meal is served, a customer is shut off from even the kitchen and left to dine in peace.

(Woman 1) Even when I come alone, the curtain makes it easier for me to eat without being embarrassed. This is a good place to come when I have to eat by myself.
(Woman 2) I’m sort of afraid to eat by myself, so I can’t go to a restaurant alone. But here I don’t have to feel self-conscious about eating alone. It has a nice atmosphere and the food is good. I come here often, about two or three times a week. There are also tables for two, so I sometimes bring my friends, but most times I come by myself. There are curtains so I can eat quietly without being bothered. That’s why I come here so often.




According to Statistics Korea, in 1985 the percentage of single-person households was a mere 6.9%. By April 2012, single-person households exceeded 25%, and by 2035, it’s expected to reach 35%. Single people living alone are no longer a rarity, but a significant part of the population. Their way of living is causing changes in spending patterns and cultural experiences. Here’s cultural critic Kim Heon-shik김헌식.

There are more single-person households because it is no longer a cultural taboo to live by oneself. A culture of singlehood has been created. A few decades ago when a person went to a restaurant to eat alone, that person was considered to have a personality problem or unfriendly. But now there are so many people enjoying their singlehood that it is no longer strange to see people eating alone, going to movies alone, or drinking coffee alone. Social perception has changed considerably. Singlehood is no longer an object of sympathy or curiosity, but has been accepted as a legitimate lifestyle. Nowadays it’s commonplace to see lone diners in a restaurant and many restaurants and cafes even rearranged their layouts to accommodate single diners. It’s become much easier for singles to enjoy their lifestyle.

One-person households are composed of many different types of people – bachelors and bachelorettes who do not believe marriage is a necessity in life, divorcees, and seniors who do not live with their children or other caretakers. As single-person households became a real social phenomenon, the concept of singlehood has changed as well. In the past unmarried people were considered rejects, old maids and losers who could not get married even if they wanted to. But now they are seen as financially secure, competent at their jobs, confident, and free from social duties. Another characteristic of today’s singles is that they don’t hesitate to invest in themselves and know how to enjoy their lives. Here’s reporter Ahn Ji-na안지나 of the magazine Singles.

People in their 20s and 30s don’t have any family to support, so their lives are more important than anything. Their after-work hours or weekends are to be enjoyed without any financial restrictions. I believe today’s single people in Korea are those who are looking for ways to enjoy their lives.

One café conducted a survey about why single people lived alone and the number one answer was because they could plan their lives the way they wanted. The next answer was because they were not restricted by their spouses, followed by the freedom to date anyone and not having to spend money on weddings and childcare. It is apparent people’s interest is shifting from community needs to individual wants. Here’s cultural critic Kim Heon-shik again.

Individualism is on the increase. Korean society was about communal spirit, but as more people remain unmarried, they became more focused on self and individual lives. For instance, traveling alone was considered quite dangerous in the past, but now it’s envied. Singlehood is bound to generate many more cultural phenomena and perception changes like this. Our society is going to pay more attention on individual rights and liberty than on organizational interests.

Participants of the 2008 World Economic Forum noted that single women in their 20s and 30s have emerged as a key consumer group in economy and culture. The hike in one-person households has prompted retailers to provide more products and services targeting this particular consumer segment. Here’s cultural critic Kim Heon-shik again.

It’s a change in lifestyle. There are more entertainment venues, cafes and restaurants for single people. Food and household appliances are tailored for single people. Small-size rice cookers, washers, dish sets with few pieces, mini vacuums are commonplace now. There are smaller, single-servings of minced garlic, green onion, and stew ingredients. The number of people living alone is expected to rise until 2020, so the product markets for single people are bound to grow as well. The wide variety of products for single people is going to make their lives more convenient and enjoyable.

Demands for information specialized for single life are rising. Magazines for single people are one source of information for singlehood. Here’s reporter Ahn Ji-na.

Singles was published on the prediction that there will be more single people all over the world and they will become the trendsetters. This lifestyle-slash-fashion magazine was launched in September 2004. People usually think of single people as those in their 20s but a big chunk of them are in their mid to late 30s. Our magazine is for those singles who enjoy their unmarried status and unfettered lives.

Today’s single people look for information on various aspects of life, from financial matters and career advice to hobbies and entertainment. Today’s single people are very rarely lonely. They seem to be busy engaging in activities taking place in both the real world and cyberspace. Here’s cultural critic Kim Heon-shik.

Many share their lives at online sites or personal blogs. There are numerous postings on how to decorate a home or cook a meal for one. On social networking services members post videos taken of their daily activities, even of eating or cooking. How to entertain oneself is also a popular topic.

Singlehood appears to be a worldwide trend, as almost 47% of the total Swedish population is said to be single. This big block of consumers has compelled manufacturers to scale down their products for single consumers. It is already evident that the growing population of single people is changing economic, cultural, and social landscapes.

Single-person households have become an accepted form of family in today’s society. Families seem to be getting smaller in size. In the old days an entire tribe or village used to be considered a family, but the concept has whittled down to nuclear families and even people living alone. But, whether by choice or circumstances, single people are growing in number, so it’s about time that the rest of society recognize them as a valid population group and very influential consumers and trend leaders.