"'Gyeolsonghamnida' Neologism Emerges"…In the COVID Era, a Groom-to-Be's Plea Before Marriage

[Image source=Getty Images Bank]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Amid the surge in complaints related to wedding halls from engaged couples due to the implementation of Level 4 social distancing in the metropolitan area and some provinces, a groom-to-be has called for easing the restrictions on the number of attendees at wedding halls and for measures to address disputes related to weddings.

On the 12th, a petition titled "Do you know the word 'Gyeolsonghamnida'?" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board.

The petitioner, Mr. A, who introduced himself as a groom-to-be with a wedding scheduled for September this year, said, "'Gyeolsonghamnida' is a word meaning 'Sorry for getting married,'" and added, "Although the wedding has been prepared for over a year, weddings during the COVID-19 era are not only deprived of blessings but are even dismissed as the greed of engaged couples, leading to the creation of such a term."

He continued, "The fact that such a word exists is a sad reality for those about to hold a wedding," and appealed, "Engaged couples are even burdened with unfair cancellation fees."

Mr. A first pointed out, "There is damage caused by the lack of standards, fairness, and consistency regarding each facility," and said, "Looking at the regulations for each facility under Level 4 social distancing, restrictions on the number of people based on facility area and capacity are being enforced inconsistently."

He argued, "Performance venues are limited to a maximum of 5,000 attendees, and indoor religious facilities have been eased to allow up to 99 people due to fairness issues with uniform numbers that do not consider the size of the religious facility, so why are wedding halls restricted to fewer than 49 people?" He added, "Wedding halls actually have no choir and fewer occasions to remove masks."

He further stated, "Just as the sizes of religious facilities vary, so do the sizes of wedding facilities," and demanded, "If religious facilities are allowed up to 99 people due to fairness issues regarding the size differences between facilities, the same regulation should be applied to wedding facilities considering fairness."

A petition titled "Do you know the word 'Gyeolsonghamnida'?" posted on the Blue House National Petition Board on the 12th. Photo by Blue House National Petition Board capture

Mr. A also said, "There is damage caused by ineffective solutions to wedding-related complaints," and criticized, "The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that if a wedding is held on the day Level 4 social distancing is implemented, the parties involved should agree to postpone the wedding date or adjust the minimum guaranteed number of attendees without penalty fees. However, the social distancing level on the wedding day can only be known 1 to 2 weeks in advance, and the FTC’s stance of merely recommending is of no help."

He continued, "Naturally, wedding halls prioritize their own profits over COVID-19 related recommendations. It is almost impossible to attempt a 'mutual agreement' with wedding halls armed with 'contracts' and 'penalty fees,'" and lamented, "Wedding halls only cite guidelines and contracts, showing no concern for the damages suffered by engaged couples."

Furthermore, he appealed, "As a citizen who has faithfully complied with social agreements and guidelines, trusted the government and institutions, and concealed anxious feelings, I can no longer endure seeing unfair guidelines and the audacity of some wedding halls," and urged, "Please reconsider the allowable number of attendees at wedding halls by referring to the fairness of other facilities and establish realistic measures to address disputes related to weddings."

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