Author: Pamela Lugten

Global Love Report – October 5, 2022
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

Duo, one of the largest matchmaking companies in South Korea, revealed how its matching system works.

There are two parts to Duo’s method, which utilizes data analysis in order to find potential suitable matches. The second part of Duo’s method involves real-life people. This is where an actual matchmaker or couple manager who also finds potential matches to clients. And they do this based on the data from the analysis.

The first step of the process is when a client fills in a form with their personal information and what they would like in a partner. They will also have a consultation with a “counseling” matchmaker so the company will have a better understanding of their needs.

The next step is when Duo’s internal team verifies the potential client’s identity. They check the authenticity of any documents that the client has handed to them. If the person passes the verification process, it will lead to a registration approval.

They will then be appointed to 2 different consultants. One is in charge of the actual matchmaking while the other will be in charge of giving the client guidance, in a 2-in-1 system.

What comes next is the more technical aspect. The Duo Matching System (DMS), which is Duo’s very own matching system that it has developed for its own use, will then analyze all the clients within their database and will find the client a match based on the client’s preferences such as: age, occupation, economic status, and values.

The counseling/guidance consultant will also learn more about the client to find out things that are difficult to confirm with just data.
This method seems to work for the company. The total number of members who got married is over 45,000, according to Duo’s website.

Originally published by wsobi.com

(Image source: Pexels, Magda Ehlers)

Global Love Report – September 28, 2022
English translation by Pamela Stephanie

Lotte Ditzel (37), has a boyfriend, together they have two sons (ages 2 & 4). Lotte is the owner of matchmaking agency DTNG, she can be seen as a matchmaking expert later this year in a Videoland program.

“At 30, after a broken relationship, I ended up on the dating market. Fun, I thought, swiping handsome men. The swiping was nice but I found the chats toe-curling. ‘Hey, what’s up, how’s your day?’ I preferred to meet to find out if the spark was there.

Even that turned out to be not ideal, because singles tend to make their profiles nicer than reality. By using pictures from the past. By leaving out info, for example, about children. By lying about their height. The latter I discovered when I, with my 1.81 meters (5’11”), towered over a man who claimed to be 1.90 meters (6’2”) but barely reached 1.65 (5’4”).

Matchmaker

I quickly found the dating market exhausting. Especially when I spoke about my dates with my girl friends and it turned out they had already dated the same men. It felt interchangeable and unpromising. In New York and London it has been normal for some time to work with a matchmaker. With my dating hell at the back of my mind, I thought that there must be a need for serious matchmaking in Amsterdam as well. That did exist but it had an old-fashioned image. That’s why six years ago I founded DTNG, ‘dating’ without the vowels.

At first it was hard work to fill the database but now it’s full of nice singles. We now work nationally and I employ five matchmakers, including my father who assists those over 65. Our oldest client is 83 and has just found love again. So there are many success stories of relationships and babies. In my oldest son’s class, parents are allowed to talk about their profession. I read a story about a frog who fell in love and told them that I help people fall in love.

Courtesy

In my work, a lesson in courtesy is important. It’s my mission to make the Dutch man more courteous: pull out a chair on a date, give a compliment, choose the wine and don’t take the half empty bottle of wine in your fridge with you as a present—true story. Look, there is still work to be done.”

Originally published by Kek Mama

(Image source: Pexels, George Milton)

Global Love Report – September 28, 2022
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

South Korean matchmaking agencies Duo and Gayeon are both actively recruiting matchmakers. This is due to the start of “wedding season” in autumn. This is when a lot of single men and women turn to matchmaking agencies to find a spouse.

Duo, in particular, explained that in preparation for a surge in membership in fall, it will begin large-scale recruitment in 11 of its branches, including its headquarters in Seoul.

Both companies are recruiting two types of employees: one who can help with membership registration process and provide guidance on the member’s preferences and perspective on marriage, and the other is someone who will be in charge of meeting members and coordinating meetings.

They are recruiting married women and will be providing training for candidates who are accepted.

Originally published by NEWSIS and NBNTV

(Image source: Unsplash, Eric Prouzet)

Global Love Report – September 21, 2022
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

Park Soo-kyung, the CEO of one of the big names in South Korea’s matchmaking industry, recently talked about the changing attitudes and perception of singles who are seeking to marry. Specifically, she spoke of the differences between the Millennial and Gen Z age groups compared to older groups.

She revealed that many singles in their 20s and 30s are flocking to matchmaking companies, including her own company, Duo. One reason for this is that the “MZ generation” (millennials and Gen Z) are accustomed to receiving expert in terms of personal training and academics so it makes sense that to help them get married, they turn to the experts: matchmaking agencies.

However, the MZ generation differs from the older generations. The singles from the older generation place an importance on things like educational background and earnings when it comes to finding a spouse. The MZ generation, on the other hand, also place an importance on their potential’s spouse’s personality, their beliefs and their standards for a match’s appearance is also much higher. She explains that what they’re essentially looking for is a “unicorn”. And this “unicorn” preference makes it difficult for matchmakers to find them a satisfactory match.

Additionally, another reason why the MZ generation prefers using matchmaking agencies is that the agencies will be able to check their potential partner’s living conditions in advance. Taking account things like: the person’s assets, annual salary, appearance, and their family.

Originally published by: Korea Information Communication Newspaper

(Image source: Unsplash, Annie Spratt)

Global Love Report – September 7, 2022
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

In the age of dating apps, matchmaking agencies in Spain are actually thriving. If anything, they are actually gaining a new revenue source! Mainly from people who have experienced the horror stories of dating apps. And disappointed app users or users of online dating platforms.

The majority of people who come to the agency Lazos, for example, come from social networking sites, according to its director, Alicia Lopez. These are people who are looking for serious relationships. But unfortunately have been unable to do so on dating platforms and other social networks.

Others are turning to matchmaking agencies because they have been lied to, such as one client at SamSara. But in general, the people who become clients come to matchmaking agencies because of frustration and disappointment.

According to SamSara’s founder, María del Carme Banús, another complaint, particularly from female clients, is that people they meet on apps initially say they want something permanent but then show that they want something else.

Of course, one of the biggest differences between dating apps and matchmaking agencies is the cost. But some agencies like SamSara and Lazos are affordable to a lot of people. In fact, SamSara’s founder revealed that some clients have had to pay a lot more for his dating app fees compared to the fee he paid the agency.

Another thing that Lopez believes is the result of dating apps: a lot more younger people are signing up to agencies. Some are even as young as 22 or 23 years old.

Read the full article by Huffington Post here. (In Spanish)

(Image source: Pexels, Mentatdgt)

Global Love Report – September 7, 2022
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

Hotel New Otani’s Marriage Concierge services has been in business was launched 6 months ago. How has it been since then?

According to the person in charge of the launch, Ms. Wakasugi, the service has done quite well. In fact, they had a rapid increase in clients. Wakasugi mentioned that the rate in which they obtained clients was so rapid that it was unprecedented, according to IBJ.

Wakasugi also mentioned that 80% of inquiries come from parents. The reason for this is mainly because the Hotel is well-known. And many people have used the hotel for generations. This means that there’s an existing level of trust in their branding. So, parents in particular have a peace of mind in approaching Marriage Concierge because of Hotel New Otani’s reputation.

Marriage Concierge’s pricing is considered higher than other marriage services. Yet despite this, the most popular of their membership package is their most expensive one at 444,400 Yen (almost US$3100). This amount doesn’t include the monthly membership fee of 22,000 Yen (around US$153) and the wedding fee of 330,00 Yen (US$2290) if the couple decides to get married.

However, it makes sense that this is their most popular one because with this package the matchmakers will find a match for their client. The lower-priced packages would grant the clients access to the database and they would pick their own match there.

But the database itself isn’t small. This is because Marriage Concierge is part of IBJ’s network, which has around 80,000 members.

Originally published by President Woman.

(Image source: Unsplash, Parya Tavakoli Tehrani)

Global Love Report – August 31, 2022
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

Soeurs Cupidons, a matchmaking agency located in the Ardennes in France, recently celebrated its second anniversary. Its owner, Virginie Ait Madi, wears many hats when it comes to her agency (and away from it: she’s a mother, city councilor and works as a development manager for a temp agency, along with being a matchmaker).

The busy matchmaking agency not only arranges the blind dates for its clients, they also organize small events in a relaxed atmosphere so singles can mingle and find someone to date. If singles at the event meet someone they’re interested in, Virginie can help facilitate an introduction.

In terms of pricing, she revealed that her average is between 1,500 and 2,500 Euros. However, she does have packages that are as low as 500 Euros or even cheaper. Her reason? She believes that everyone has the right to love. And so she makes sure that her services are accessible—not just geared to higher-paying customers.

She is open for singles of all ages—from 25 years onwards—who are looking for a serious relationship and mainly focuses on those living in the Ardennes region.

Originally published by France 3.

(Image source: Pexels, Karolina Grabowska)

Global Love Report – August 31, 2022
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

J-Noble, a Korean matchmaking agency, will hold various dating events for 3040 singles—singles who are in their 30s and 40s.
The company aims to create new ways for singles to meet beyond the usual meeting/dates and dating events/parties.

The events are held at the agency’s own lounge during every Tuesday since July 2022. Each event has a different concept each week. So far, satisfaction levels from members have been high and participation rate is high as well.

The changing concepts for these 3040 singles dating events seem to be key for the positive response. With one particular event being a Premium Wine Party, for example.

Originally published by Sisa Magazine. 

(Image source: Pexels, Fotograf Jylland)

Global Love Report – August 24, 2022
English summary by Pamela Stephanie

Concord support, a Japanese LGBTQ organization, has turned to crowdfunding in order to establish a LGBTQ agency. A matchmaking agency by the LGBTQ community for the LGBTQ community. The crowdfunding will be open until August 31st.

They’re looking to open a LGBTQ agency in order to help those in the LGBTQ community to find a life partner. The money from the crowdfunding will cover the costs of opening the agency as well as creating the agency’s website.

As for the agency itself, they aim to create a safe and secure service for people seriously seeking a partner. They will provide services for registered members and will conduct background checks on anyone who registers.

They plan to charge only 10,000 yen per month (approx. US$74), excluding registration fee and marriage fee. They’re planning on arranging two blind dates per month.

The project was started by Hideaki Yasukawa, whose partner of more than 15 years passed away at the hospital. However, because Yasukawa was not considered a family member due to the law in Japan, he was unable to be at the hospital.

Yasukawa stated that although the law can’t be changed currently, they believe that they can at least change the public’s perception by having more LGBTQ couples and to spread social awareness.

Originally published by PR Times.

(Image source: Unsplash, Jun Rong Loo)