Yang Sang-guk: 'Never Taken Girlfriend Home, It's Inconvenient'
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Comedian Yang Sang-guk revealed his firm dating philosophy on the YouTube show 'Pinggyego'.
- He stated he has never taken a girlfriend home, citing inconvenience as a reason.
- Yang Sang-guk believes that not taking a partner home is a sign of sincerity, as he doesn't want to lead someone on if he's not serious about marriage.
South Korean comedian Yang Sang-guk has stirred conversation with his unconventional dating philosophy, shared during an appearance on the popular YouTube channel 'Pinggyego.' While fellow guests discussed the joys of married life and romantic gestures, Yang Sang-guk presented a starkly different view, admitting he has never escorted a girlfriend to her home. His reasoning? A pragmatic, if somewhat controversial, belief that such actions can create an expectation of continued effort, and if that effort wanes, the relationship might be perceived as over. He candidly stated that inconvenience is a factor, preferring not to engage in practices he doesn't intend to maintain consistently.
I've never taken a girlfriend home.
This perspective contrasts sharply with traditional romantic ideals often portrayed in Korean media, where grand gestures and consistent attentiveness are frequently emphasized. Yang Sang-guk, however, champions a form of dating based on perceived sincerity and long-term commitment. He articulated that his current approach is geared towards marriage, suggesting that casual dating practices like escorting someone home are not aligned with his ultimate goals. He even quipped that his ideal scenario involves his partner coming to his home, indicating a desire for a more traditional, perhaps domestically focused, relationship dynamic.
It's inconvenient too.
Yang Sang-guk's comments have sparked debate, with some viewers finding his honesty refreshing and others questioning his romantic approach. From a South Korean cultural standpoint, his views challenge prevailing notions of courtship. While many young Koreans are indeed seeking serious relationships and marriage, the methods and expectations surrounding dating can vary widely. Yang Sang-guk's frankness about prioritizing convenience and long-term intent over conventional romantic displays offers a unique, albeit polarizing, perspective on modern dating in Korea. It highlights a generational or perhaps individualistic approach to relationships that prioritizes clear intentions and avoids what he perceives as potentially misleading gestures.
If you take them home every day and then one day you don't, they'll think the love is over.
Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.