Press "PandaGuides" above to follow us!
South Korea has declared its super-low birth rate a "national emergency," investing billions to encourage marriage and childbirth. Yet, one YouTuber, Seen Aromi, has found happiness and success by promoting the opposite ideal.
Living in rural South Korea, Seen Aromi practices yoga, sleeps in, and tells her over 200,000 YouTube followers to embrace single life without fear, shame, or guilt. "Not getting married is my greatest achievement," says 37-year-old Seen, who never aspired to be a wife or mother.
Her book, "I Can’t Help but Live Well on My Own," has become a surprise bestseller, resonating not only with single women in their 30s but also with widowed or divorced older generations. In her book, she praises the freedom of solo living, stating, "While some marry to avoid loneliness, others like me enjoy the freedom of lying around."
South Korea, with the world’s lowest birth rate and a rapidly aging population, faces a demographic crisis. Economic factors, like stagnant growth, high home prices in Seoul, and intense job competition, contribute to many young Koreans opting out of marriage and parenthood. Cultural issues also play a role, with single parenthood frowned upon, same-sex marriage unrecognized, and married women often leaving the workforce. "Traditionally defined gender roles and tension between genders are definitely related to the current low birth rate," says Hyeyoung Woo, a sociology professor at Portland State University.
Seen found genuine happiness by rejecting traditional South Korean success markers: a Seoul apartment, a high-paying job, and a loving spouse. She recalls her miserable life in Seoul, marked by a stressful commute and abusive workplace. After years abroad doing various jobs and posting videos about her life, she returned to South Korea and settled in a rural town. She renovated her late grandfather's old house, and her YouTube channel, covering topics from solo living to yoga, grew in popularity, amassing over 200,000 subscribers.
Now, a single YouTube video earns her five times what she made as a salaried worker in Seoul, allowing her to "live a much more autonomous life," which she finds extremely satisfying. However, her social media posts about her joyful single life have also attracted criticism, with some calling her "selfish" for not marrying.
Seen has had fulfilling relationships, but prioritizes her autonomy and adventurous lifestyle over starting a family. The success of her book, she believes, shows that one can excel in a non-mainstream life. "Most couples have children for their happiness, not humanity’s future – and solo living choices aimed at happiness should be respected," she says. Proud of her contributions, she notes, "While others had children, I gave birth to two YouTube channels and a book."
Source: Agence France-Presse
