In South Korea, a growing number of couples are choosing to delay their official marriage registration, prioritizing economic benefits over legal formalities. Lee Jae-yeon, a 39-year-old Seoul resident, exemplifies this trend.

Lee and her partner celebrated their love with a grand wedding ceremony in 2019, inviting hundreds of guests to share in their joy. Three years later, they welcomed a baby girl into their lives. To the world, they are a family of three, but on paper, Lee remains single.

“Marriage registration is a mere formality,” Lee told Korea Pro. “Nothing should stand in the way of having a