Storyline South Korea is diversifying its measures to help citizens who live alone to address problems like loneliness and depression as the country sees growing number of one-person households. According to the latest official data, the country's one-person households surpassed 10 million last year, accounting for 42 percent of the total number of registered families. According to an official survey, last year, 21.1 percent of South Koreans reported feeling lonely. As life becomes increasingly fast-paced, young citizens are less close with their families, and senior residents living alone are more likely to become disconnected from society. A special convenience store in the capital city of Seoul helps address the issue. The place offers space for lonely residents to socialize, rest, and cook instant noodles, and these services are all free. "There are many people of a similar age to me, people I can get along well with, and lots of senior residents. We are happy together. A few days ago, we grew closer with each other in an instant noodle-eating race, and I feel life is more interesting than before," said a Seoul resident. According to a survey conducted by Seoul National University Hospital, people who regularly eat alone had a 42 percent higher risk of developing depression compared with those who do not. The authorities in Seoul are collaborating with food companies to offer regular cooking classes for individuals living alone, providing them with an opportunity to socialize. "I learned how to make chicken porridge and cucumber kimchi in the cooking classes and today, I learned how to make simple meals like sandwiches, which is rewarding. Knowing how to make delicious meals fast helps me a lot," said a cooking class participant. Shotlist: Seoul, South Korea - Recent: 1. Various of lonely residents socializing, resting, cooking in convenience store 2. Staff talking with resident 3. Various of resident completing mental health survey 4. Various of amenity, food in convenience store 5. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Seoul resident (name not given) (starting with shot 4/ending with shots 6-8): "There are many people of a similar age to me, people I can get along well with, and lots of senior residents. We are happy together. A few days ago, we grew closer with each other in an instant noodle-eating race, and I feel life is more interesting than before." 6. Various of staffs talking with resident 7. Residents socializing 8. Various of instant noodle 9. Various of residents in convenience store, residents socializing 10. Various of residents taking cooking class 11. SOUNDBITE (Korean) cooking class participator (name not given): "I learned how to make chicken porridge and cucumber kimchi in the cooking classes and today, I learned how to make simple meals like sandwiches, which is rewarding. Knowing how to make delicious meals fast helps me a lot." 12. Various of participators making meals 13. Sandwiches, pasta. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]