Couples Rings in Korea: What to Know and How to Make or Buy One

It goes without saying that couple culture in Korea is huge, with loved-up partners finding any opportunity to celebrate their romance together, there is literally a romantic holiday in every month of the year in Korea. From Valentine’s Day to White Day, and from couple’s outfits to couple rings, Koreans go to great lengths to show off their partnerships.

So if you’ve got a new partner in Korea, you may want to celebrate your exclusivity with matching couple rings. First, though, you’ll need to know what are Korean couples’ rings, as well as where to buy couples’ rings in Korea, or how to make couples’ rings in Korea.

couple rings in Korea, couple culture, dating culture in Korea

Get ready to celebrate being together with Korean couples rings:

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What Are Couple Rings in Korea?

If you pay close attention to individuals in Korea, you’ll see a surprising amount of people wearing a ring on their left ring finger. No, not all of them are married! In fact, in Korea, the marriage rate is actually quite low.

Instead, many couples show off their commitment to being together by sporting matching rings from very early on in their relationships. Unlike rings in other cultures, whilst they still symbolize commitment, they’re much more casual in Korea and are more of a celebration of hitting a certain milestone rather than a promise to commit to something as big as marriage in the future.

Why Are Couple Rings Important in Korea?

Couple rings in Korea are a great way for youngsters to flaunt their love for one another amongst their peers, but they can also serve a wider purpose.

Not only is it a great way of feeling connected to your partner, but it’s a great way of showing your exclusivity. This way, you can rest assured you won’t be running into any awkward situations with potential love interests at school or university!

Do All Koreans Wear Couple Rings?

Whilst not every couple in Korea sports matching rings, the majority of couples in their teens and early 20s wear one.

There’s no say on how long a couple has to be dating before they purchase these rings, with many young lovebirds choosing to buy them after just a couple of months. As couples celebrate milestones on specific dates in Korea, many couples buy these rings to celebrate 100 days of being together.

Generally speaking, couples’ rings are less trendy amongst those in their early 30s, as it can be viewed as wanting to rush into marriage, or looked at by many as a slightly immature fad for people of that age bracket.

Do Korean Couples Rings Need a Proposal?

Unlike a promise ring or engagement ring (both popular in Western cultures), the culture surrounding couples rings doesn’t require a huge buildup, and usually, they’re not sprung on a partner as a surprise.

Instead, couples generally agree to get the rings, and one person may surprise the other by buying them as a gift for a special anniversary or a special day together. It’s more common though for couples to go purchase these together, choosing the same design, and even sometimes making them as part of a special date.

Are Couple Rings in Korea Expensive?

As couple rings are made of materials that are safe for long-term wear (as the ring is intended to not be taken off for the duration of the relationship), couple rings in Korea are not cheap.

You can expect a pair of couple rings to cost anywhere between 200,000 and 1,000,000 won, though high schoolers often pay less for lower-quality jewelry.

Where to Buy Couple Rings in Korea

Couples’ rings can be bought at a huge number of jewelry stores in Korea. Typically though, you’ll see signs advertising matching rings outside stores that sell couples’ rings in trendy areas such as Hongdae or Myeongdong.

Jongno 3-ga Jewelry District: If you’ve ever visited Gwangjang Market, you may have noticed that across the street are a number of jewelry shops. These are a popular place to stop in to get couple rings as well as many other pieces of jewelry.

Directions: Jongno 3-ga subway station, go out of exit 10 or 11 to start and you can walk along the shops and see which one catches your eye.

Can I Make My Own Couple Rings?

Whilst some couples choose to buy a pair of rings, others enjoy creating the rings together as part of a special date for one of their anniversaries. This can be a great way of spending time together and creating a unique memory that you can keep forever.

Sometimes, it even works out cheaper than buying the rings from a jeweler, so don’t rule it out even if you’re on a budget.

Hongdae Rings Village

Address: 6-11, Wausan-ro 19-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울시 마포구 와우산로 19길 6-11)
Book Online: Since it takes longer to make a ring, make sure to make an appointment before you go. You can book a time at the Hongdae Rings Village on Klook.

How to Make Couples Rings in Korea

If you’re planning on making your own couple rings in Korea, you’ll need to pre-book a session at one of the dedicated ring-making stores or workshops (look for the sign that says 워크샵). These stores are popular and can be found in most trendy areas such as Hongdae and Myeongdong.

The easiest way to do this if you live in Korea is to find the store with the options you like and call up to make a reservation. For this, you will need to be able to speak Korean.

Typically, you will arrive at the store, and select your rings, including the size, design, width of the band, and any add-ons such as diamonds, plating, or engravings. You then usually pay for your rings upfront (or sometimes at the end of the experience depending on the store) before heading into the workshop.

You and your partner are given ‘base’ rings in your sizes, which you then sand and buff down to create a perfectly smooth and beautiful ring. Engravings, plating, and other additions are added by professionals once you’ve finished.

Many couples choose to create the rings for each other during this process, so you can pour your heart into something they will wear forever!

Now you know what couple rings are, how to get one, and even how to make one of your own – be sure to add it to your bucket list next time you and your loved one visit Korea!

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