SDM (Studio, Dress, Makeup)
Original Korean title
스드메
SDM is a Korean wedding-industry term short for the near-mandatory pre-wedding package of studio photography, dress rental, and hair/makeup.
Originated around 2015Last updated: August 4, 2026
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What does it mean?
SDM is shorthand for the studio photo shoot, dress rental, and hair-and-makeup services that make up the standard Korean wedding preparation package, typically costing between roughly 2 million and 5 million won. In 2024, South Korea's Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy pointed to high wedding costs as a factor behind the country's low birth rate, putting renewed scrutiny on the opaque pricing structure of the SDM industry.
Where did it start?
A near-mandatory package in Korea's wedding industry, put back in the spotlight by 2024 low-birth-rate policy discussions.
How is it used?
Used to describe the financial burden of wedding preparation.
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SDM (Studio, Dress, Makeup): SDM is a Korean wedding-industry term short for the near-mandatory pre-wedding package of studio photography, dress rental, and hair/makeup.
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