Why is Seongbuk-gu's 'Smart 1-Person Household Customized Program' Gaining Popularity?

Overcoming COVID Blue by Relieving Stress through Building Social Networks

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) is receiving positive reviews for various programs conducted for single-person households.

As of 2019, Seongbuk-gu ranks 10th among Seoul's autonomous districts in terms of the number of single-person households. They account for about 33% of all households in the district, and the proportion of single-person households in their 20s ranks 5th among Seoul's autonomous districts. (Single-person households according to 2020 statistics, Statistics Korea)

Reflecting this trend, Seongbuk-gu conducted its own survey on single-person households, finding that their satisfaction with ‘living alone’ was generally high, with ‘very satisfied (15.5%)’, ‘somewhat satisfied (48.2%)’, and ‘neutral (30.1%)’ responses.

Among single-person households who chose ‘very difficult’ or ‘somewhat difficult’ as the hardships of living alone, many cited ‘economic aspects such as housing costs (52.3%)’ and ‘emotional aspects such as loneliness and anxiety about the future (40.6%)’. Inconveniences in daily life while living alone included ‘responding to and coping with emergencies (27.1%)’, ‘eating meals (19.2%)’, and ‘finding a house (room) and moving-related housing activities (18.3%)’.

Based on the survey results, Seongbuk-gu is conducting various customized programs for single-person households.

A representative program is ‘Wise Single Living’.

It consists of three sub-programs: ‘Everyone’s Restaurant’, ‘Life Planning for a Wonderful Future’, and ‘Finding My Spoon’, and is jointly conducted by Seongbuk-gu and the Seongbuk-gu Healthy Family Multicultural Family Support Center.

The program focuses on helping participants find the meaning and direction of living alone and make positive future plans. It targets single-person households in their 20s and 30s living in the Seoul metropolitan area and is held every Friday evening from the 14th to the 28th.

On the 14th, ‘Everyone’s Restaurant’ was held. Conducted online via Zoom, 14 single-person households participated, making gambas together and sharing a meal, experiencing the value of sharing.

Participant Mr. An** (35, Anam-dong) said, “I chose to live alone due to personal preferences and future plans and have a strong desire to live happily, but I had difficulties meeting people to exchange information with.” He added, “Although it was online, cooking and eating together naturally allowed us to share many tips and concerns, making it a very grateful time.”

‘Life Planning for a Wonderful Future’ is a program where participants create a life graph to set goals and plan execution strategies, scheduled for the 21st. On the 28th, ‘Finding My Spoon’, a woodcarving program to make a personal spoon and reflect on life, will be held.

Programs that have already ended, such as the ‘2030 Weight Loss Project’, ‘Aljaldakkkalsen: Know it. Well. Exactly. Neatly. Sensibly.’, and ‘Courage Supporters’, received high praise from participants, and their resumption is under consideration.

The ‘2030 Weight Loss Project’ is a program that manages exercise and diet using smartwatches. It accepted applications from 20 people and was fully booked within an hour due to high demand.

‘Aljaldakkkalsen’, which teaches efficient wardrobe organization methods considering the spatial characteristics of single-person households, helped participants form social networks to alleviate job-seeking stress and feelings of isolation caused by COVID-19.

‘Courage Supporters’ was an activity where single-person households, accustomed to delivery food and disposable utensils, jointly considered and practiced solutions to waste and environmental issues.

Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, stated, “Single-person households are increasing due to reasons such as studying, preparing for employment, and choosing not to marry.” He added, “By operating active single-person household programs segmented by age and gender, we are striving to create a Seongbuk where diverse family forms coexist and live happily.”

Additionally, Seongbuk-gu is running various programs to support single-person households’ loneliness and anxiety, including psychological counseling and leisure culture programs. Inquiries can be made via phone to the Seongbuk-gu Healthy Family Multicultural Family Support Center or through the Seongbuk On Family Happiness Network website.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.