Seoul's Seongbuk-gu held a community talk show aimed at preventing social isolation and lonely deaths among single-person households while bringing energy back into their daily lives.
The district hosted "Light Up Your Solo Life! Seongbuk-gu Solo-Living Communication Talk Show With Maljahalmae" on Tuesday at the cultural hall on the 10th floor of Hyundai Department Store's Mia branch, with comedian Kim Young-hee — known for her YouTube channel "Maljahalmae" — serving as the main host.
The event was designed to help the growing number of single-person households lighten the loneliness and social difficulties that come with living alone, and to strengthen community ties among neighbors.
The show drew strong interest even before it opened, with nearly 300 personal stories submitted in advance. On the day, participants shared a wide range of experiences — from lighthearted everyday struggles like gaining weight while trying to meet a delivery app's minimum order amount, to loneliness in relationships, anxiety about the future, and concerns about dating and marriage.
Comedian Kim Young-hee took the stage and worked through the submitted stories with her trademark wit and empathy, filling the venue with laughter. Attendees said they found deep comfort in hearing that others shared their experiences. "Living alone, there were many days I didn't say a single word all day," one resident said. "Laughing and talking together, and realizing my worries aren't mine alone — I'm leaving with more energy than I've felt in a long time."
A recent social survey conducted by Seongbuk-gu found that the share of single-person households has been consistently rising, highlighting the growing need for policy support to help them build social networks and avoid isolation. The district said it plans to strengthen support following the event so that single-person households can form a solid network of mutual care within the community rather than becoming isolated.
Seongbuk-gu District Mayor Lee Seung-ro said the event "showed that living alone need not mean loneliness or anxiety, but can mean sharing with neighbors and staying closely connected." He added that the district would "continue to roll out effective, tailored support policies so that single-person households in Seongbuk-gu can live safely and happily without being left behind in the local community."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
