Marriage Stories of Seoul Families

Marriage, once seen solely as a duty, is now considered a choice. To examine the pivotal moments behind these changes, the Seoul Urban Life Museum conducted an era-by-era study of the marriage culture of Seoul residents last year, culminating in this year's special exhibition. Although Korean society faced the Korean War following the 1945 liberation, it rapidly advanced, achieving the Miracle on the Hangang River, which significantly impacted marriage culture. The marriage culture of Seoul, shaped by a blend of tradition and foreign influences, continues to evolve today. We hope that looking back on the 80-year transformation of Seoul residents' marriage culture since liberation will encourage reflection on our society’s journey and foster greater generational understanding.