Temple Matchmaking is drawing thousands of young South Koreans to a Buddhist retreat that aims to help singles build meaningful relationships while raising awareness of the country’s declining birthrate.

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The two-day programme takes place at Naksansa Temple, a historic Buddhist temple founded in 671 CE during the Silla Dynasty. The temple sits on South Korea’s northeastern coast in Yangyang County.

One of the retreat’s signature activities asks participants to walk hand in hand. One person wears a blindfold while the other guides them along a path leading to a gate that local legend says grants dreams.

A Buddhist monk oversees the exercise, which encourages participants to build trust and communication.

The Korean Buddhist Foundation for Social Welfare launched the matchmaking programme in 2023 to help address South Korea’s record-low birthrate by introducing young singles to one another.

Interest has grown rapidly. This year’s programme attracted 4,225 applicants for only 20 places, according to the foundation.

Thirty-year-old participant Choi Ye-ri said she joined because she believed the programme would attract serious and compatible people looking for relationships.

South Korea’s population of 51.8 million could shrink by nearly one-third by 2072, according to government projections. However, officials hope the demographic crisis may begin to ease after birth rates increased for two consecutive years.

Venerable Doryun, head of the Korean Buddhist Foundation for Social Welfare, said the retreat offers more than matchmaking.

He said he hopes participants also reflect on South Korea’s low birthrate and consider solutions for the country’s future.

Government data showed South Korea’s total fertility rate rose to 0.80 in 2025, up from 0.75 in 2024. Despite the increase, it remains the world’s lowest fertility rate.

Unlike traditional blind dates, the weekend retreat gives participants more time to connect through shared experiences.

Participants wear traditional temple clothing and pair up by drawing numbered sticks or matching personal belongings. They also enjoy tea sessions, walks through the forest, beach yoga and one-on-one rotation dates.

Participant Kim Do-yeon said meeting people in a temple created a refreshing experience and allowed participants to get to know each other more sincerely.