<Welcome to the Marriage Information Company> Is Real Marriage Possible? [19]

Women and Spring Fever

The hardest part of using a marriage introduction service was

figuring out if the other person genuinely liked me and considered me someone they didn't want to lose,

or if they just thought I was a decent, suitable candidate for marriage, given my age and other factors.

Looks, financial stability, educational background – it all blurred together.

At least when someone had clear needs, their decisions about marriage were straightforward and easy to understand.

For me, it was never that simple. I couldn't compromise on the idea that marriage should be the culmination of a loving relationship, a romantic ideal

that I couldn't let go of, which is why I found the whole process so difficult.

Time flew by, and the year of my contract was over. The matchmaking team leader, clearly frustrated, suggested that she'd continue introducing me to people

on the condition that I pay a success fee if I got married, meaning if I sent out wedding invitations.

There was nothing to lose, so I accepted her offer.

Shows like 'Single's Inferno', 'Singles Inferno 2', 'Heart Signal', 'Transit Love', and 'Solo Hell' became wildly popular on TV.

People were captivated, finding vicarious satisfaction and fantasizing about love, and they related to the stories.

My friends were completely swept up in the <Single's Inferno 2> <Yun Nam-gi Syndrome>,

lamenting why a man like him wasn't in their lives.

Spring used to be a time of joy and excitement, but for the past few years, it's made me feel melancholic.

Was I experiencing spring fever?

They say women experience spring fever, and men experience autumnal sadness.

“I've been thinking about why I get spring fever, and I think I have a pretty good idea.”

Spring is a season of new beginnings, but I haven't changed much, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

‘Oh… I'm just getting older,’ I guess that's why I get a little down.”

“Even if you keep meeting new people, it's still stressful.

People may change, but the situations and conversations will likely be similar, so you'll get tired too.”

My best friend, who has a plethora of stories from meeting all sorts of people, enough for a whole book, comforted and encouraged me in my ongoing journey to find a partner.

And now, I'm actually writing.

During this gradually exhausting period, I finally accepted the reality I'd been burying deep inside and didn't want to acknowledge.

Ah, I really need to start living alone now.