Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wjf1]

Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question. I've been doing some research and I happened to stumble across a website that said bald men are likely to be mocked and ridiculed openly in South Korea. I could not tell whether the article was serious or not.

I shave my head as I don't really have the hair to pull off any other style nowadays. Will it present any problems in South Korea? Is there any stigma?

[jrwhite82]

Mok-po-gi!!!!!

Yes, my coworker was (going) bald and cut his hair short. The students thought he looked like this famous bald Korean clown. Grow it out!

[GTG09]

It depends. I have a friend that shaves his head and he's a player. It all depends on if it looks good really. If you are going bald thats a different story. As long as your not 2 of the big 3. Which are fat bald and short.

[mmstyle]

My husband shaves his head. He teaches elementary school, and some students jokingly refer to him as "banjak, banjak." Apparently, this means twinkle, twinkle (like the song). It's generally said as a light joke, and he just lets it roll off. That said, he was recently evaluated and the kids love him. His CT said he got the highest marks. He gets a lot of comments about looking like a famous bald tennis player (said tennis player does resemble my husband quite a bit, especially on the cover of a recent book), so he often gets compliments.

I have never heard anything said about his baldness from anyone but his students. It is becoming more and more common to see western bald men here. And, if it is a concern, I don't think it would hurt you when it comes to the ladies.

[Weigookin74]

Though there may be exceptions. Mostly, women prefer men with hair. I was bald but now have hair and let me tell you, it's much easier in that regard. Shaving it completely with shaving cream and a razor is best if you're going to be bald. Don't buzz it a little on the sides and look bald because it won't work for you. Been there done that. Come here for the cash and then move on.

[8 years down]

Serious problems? No.

Stigma? Yes.

Children will laugh and call you names, not to hurt you just because it looks strange to them, and being bald means you must be 80 years old.

Girls don't like it. (generalizing)

[rkc76sf]

I'm 185 cm, not fat, and when I had a goattee, I looked like Edward Norton from American History X. I never had too much of a problem, some kids would call me bak-baki or de-mori, but I just laughed it off. Sometimes when they say that, I ask them in Korean "what?" and they look surprised. I shave my head to the scalp and like someone said if you're not short, fat, and bald I guess you're ok. My students still liked me.

[madtownhustl]

recently, the girl i'm seeing said she thought guys with completely bald heads were gay... no idea why she would think that but i thought it was funny!

[conrad2]

[YailBloor]

I was once told of a (supposedly) famous Korean proverb that states:

"If a man likes free things too much he will go bald."

[BoholDiver]

I get mocked on a regular basis. At first I have tried laughing it off, but that encouraged them more. Now I tell them off.

Korean people are incredibly vain. I occasionally get mocked on the street and they think I don't understand. I let them know I can.

I guess it depends on how you want to deal with it. After 7 1/2 years of hearing the same thing everyday, I guess my patience has run thin with people who act like they're 7.

[Monopoly]

OP - In response to your question...who the eff cares dude? Do what you came here to do and don't worry about what other people think. Even if you had perfect hair, you'd still have a stigma...your round eyes!

[jrwhite82]

Yes, but with a full head of hair, they would tell him he looks like "Brad Pitt!" Totally worth it to grow your hair out just for the self-esteem boost!