In brief
In a society where more individuals are choosing to live alone or child-free, dogs provide comfort and companionship amid solitude.
In South Korea, dogs have become cherished companions, filling emotional voids in many households. With a declining birthrate and growing number of single-person households, many South Koreans, like Kim Seon-ae, find solace and emotional support in their pets. Kim, who recently held an elaborate funeral for her beloved poodle Dalkong, exemplifies this deep bond. Once known globally for its dog meat industry, South Korea has seen a cultural shift as people increasingly seek companionship in pets, reflecting broader societal changes towards single and child-free living. This trend signifies not just a change in lifestyle, but also the evolving role of pets as key members of the family amid a changing social fabric.
