Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fbermingham]

A potential employer asked me if I was intending on keeping my facial hair when I arrive in Korea. I told him I would shave it off if required. He seemed okay with that. But is there a stigma about beards? Would it be frowned upon if I grew it when I'd arrived?

[crisdean]

[Vimfuego]

After the first day at my school someone, one of the admin staff I guessed, left a razor on my shelf. I laughed. I haven't shaved since!

[.38 Special]

Man, I gotta tell ya, my beard is pretty righteous these days. I can chew on it.

The Koreans will judge your professionalism, whether intentionally or subconsciously, by Korean standards. If you would like to be found favorably professional in appearance, you might consider shaving.

Or you can be mangy like me. I am da wildabeast, coo coo cachoo

[fbermingham]

This is all very heartening. I think the trick might be to shave it so I look pretty smart when I arrive, and then gradually descend into grizzliness.

[hiddenflask]

the pictures i sent were all of me with a beard and as soon as i got here they told me to shave. they said i would be "more attractive." i then asked them who they wanted to be attracted to me. ultimately i said they knew what i looked like before i got here and it wasn't a problem then. i did shave it off occasionally and let it grow back from time. they've been pretty good about it but when i shave, they all make their best effort to reassure me how much better i look,etc.

that being said, the korean folk don't care for the beards much. they also relate facial hair growth to dirty sexual thoughts (i wish i were kidding). all the money has dudes with beards; bigger and longer beards than mine!

i think it's just that it's uncommon for them and is part of the bizarre ethnocentrism. if they want to judge you by korean standards though, let them respect you like they would a korean (not going to happen). if they tell you that you'd look better without a beard, tell them they'd look better with that horrible plastic surgery that all the girls get on their eyes to make them look more western.

[Gwangjuboy]

I generally maintained stubble and shaved under my neck. If you groom your beard then I think Koreans generally are more tolerant of it.

[alphakennyone]

I usually get complimented by coworkers and bosses when I grow a beard. Just not the kids or the ladies.

[goesslry]

the ones that comment do so because they are jealous.

No need to shave. A lot of the women love it, as the Korean counterparts usually don't have enough testosterone to grow one that looks decent.

I've had a beard for a long time. The trick is to keep it "clean" looking, rather than all shaggy. Still looks good, and professional. I get nothing but compliments.

Then again, I work in the arts.

[Banana_Man]

^agreed, keep it clean, no rogue hair on the upper cheekbone!!!

I'm with beard and my co-workers love it! Wife not so much but, hey can't please everyone.

[Bbang!]

[Gibberish]

Keep it clean, keep it reasonable with the length.

It is a part of the ethnocentrism, and the perception that bears are dirty and un-Korean. However, the reason the stigma is attached to the beard is because most Korean men can barely grow hair on their upper lips. Personally, I'd go with what hiddenflask said if they ask any questions.

And bbang, he was talking about Korean school teachers, not waegooks.

[kyopoopa]

I usually trim it once a week or so without any guard on my clipper. Do I need to be clean shaven in the resume photo?

In lieu of shaving, would it be kosher if I just trim it all the way down once a week?

I'm a Kyopo, if that makes any difference.

[yeti08]

My principal gets weird about it sometimes, mostly when she's looking for something to complain about.
She once told me that the kids think I am a grandfather and are scared of me.....
Oh well, I go between the clean shaven look and the short trimmed beard. My co-teachers and owner could care less and my Korean gf likes both.
So like most are saying keep it clean and you should be fine.

[SNOTOSEOUL]

If you need to know the answer listen to the Cowsills "Hair"


Let it fly in the breeze
And get caught in the trees
Flow it, show it
Long as God can grow it
My hair