Seoul's $322 million gambit to save the city from crushing loneliness won't fix the source of its problems

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
People sitting before the city skyline and Han River in Seoul.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said in October that it would be pouring 451.3 billion won, or $322 million, to combat the loneliness epidemic gripping the city.

Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images

Read the pitch decks of 6 startups looking to disrupt dating apps and social networking that have raised millions

Tech Insider
Money in the shape of a heart

iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI

I'm a Gen Z venture capitalist who felt lonely working from home. I started ballroom dancing despite feeling nervous and it changed my life.

Tech Insider
Charlott Page in a blue sparkly dress, competing at a ballroom competition with her coach Gian DiFranco.
Charlotte Page took up ballroom dancing earlier this year. It's improved her physical and mental health, and allowed her to make many friends.

Charlotte Page/ Starpoint Dancesport

The hidden value of a college degree: Graduates are much more likely to have friends

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy
college graduate smiling while being surrounded by friends
College graduates have more friends than people without degrees, according to a Survey Center on American Life survey.

Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI

I moved to Spain, got divorced, and was feeling lonely — until I found a new way to make friends

Tech Insider : Travel
A woman on a street in Morocco
Dalia Goldberg felt lonely after moving to Spain until she joined an improv comedy group.

Dalia Goldberg

Gen Zers aren't lonely. They're fueling a vibrant social renaissance.

Tech Insider : Economy
Polaroid images of young adults smiling and having fun doing various activities such as: dancing, going to the gym, reading, having a picnic, etc.

Getty Images; iStock; Natalie Ammari/BI

I'm 38, and one of my closest friends is 72. We have more in common than you might think.

Tech Insider
Sarah Klein and her friend Carolyn smiling and looking at the camera.
Sarah Klein met her friend Carolyn while volunteering with FriendshipWorks.

Courtesy of Sarah Klein

Two lonely 25-year-olds met on Bumble BFF. Seven weeks later they're living together as 'platonic soulmates' who share a bed.

Tech Insider
Selfie of Estella Kyriacou in a pink cardigan and white top and Imogen Clarke in a yellow cardigan and white top.
Estella Kyriacou and Imogen Clarke met on Bumble BFF. Two months after meeting each other, they started sleeping in the same bed.

Estella Kyriacou and Imogen Clarke

I quit my job and moved in with my aunt. I make a third of my old salary, but I have peace and can save for retirement.

Tech Insider
a headshot of a woman with red hair
Ashley Couto quit a 6-figure job and gave up her dream apartment. She moved in with her aunt to save money and has better work-life balance.

Kayla Mendez

Instagram now has AI boyfriends and girlfriends. Here's what it's like chatting with them.

Tech Insider
A robot with hearts for eyes

iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI

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