Inside a 30‑hour Dating Retreat at a Korean Buddhist Temple

South Korean singles were invited to spend a weekend closed off from smartphones at the Donghwasa temple in Busan, where Buddhist monks turned the grounds into a living laboratory for relationships.

During a 30‑hour “Meditate & Love” experiment, participants had to eat, sleep, and even touch at prescribed times, all while sharing their wishes on cards that the monks collected and read aloud at night.

The BBC’s Jake Kwon documented the sacral setting, noting the tension between ancient ritual and the modern impulse to hook up. While a few participants claimed a spark, most left feeling oddly disconnected, sparking a heated online debate about whether spirituality can replace swiping.

In a final roundtable, the monks explained that the rules were designed to slow impulse and encourage mindfulness, reminding viewers that “love takes patience.” The experiment concluded on a note of uncertainty, yet left many wondering if a day without digital distraction could indeed nurture genuine connection.