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Caffeinated
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
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 Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 10:04 pm Post subject: The ideal height for Korean women |
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... is 168 cm. This is according to my (all female) Korean co-teachers. They all fall short, btw.
This is why 168 is the code for the combination lock to the English teachers office. But you didn't hear that from me so shhhh! |
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waynehead
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Location: Jongno
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| Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 11:46 pm Post subject: |
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| I know we all worry about things like height more than we should, but doesn't it seem Koreans do so more than most? I try my best not to be one of those "all Koreans..." guys, but I'm amazed how often height comes up as a topic. |
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nukeday
Joined: 13 May 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 12:04 am Post subject: |
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| waynehead wrote: |
| I know we all worry about things like height more than we should, but doesn't it seem Koreans do so more than most? I try my best not to be one of those "all Koreans..." guys, but I'm amazed how often height comes up as a topic. |
weight too. and nose shape. never knew, or cared, that i had a high nose bridge until it was said many times here.
looks in general. |
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Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 4:16 am Post subject: |
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5'6?
yeah, I'd say 5'6, 5'7 for a woman is the perfect height, but "perfection" depends on the height of her mate as in how well they look "together".
if you're a male around 6 feet, that would be an ideal height for you. Height in general however, is something far more important for males than females. Females have many other things/ways to capture our attention
One of my twenty something coteachers is 5'7. Her stature is just fabulous. It actually turns me on 
If I could get her into a gym to do leg/butt exercises, she'd be something else, as she is not skin and bones skinny Korean style.
works the same way for guys. For girl/dating purposes the idea height would be around 6'1, 6'2.
For male only purposes however, the ideal height would be 6'4, the better and easier I could beat you down with . Anything above that height and you develop too skinny syndrome, or coordination issues or health/joint issues, etc.  |
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tukmax
Joined: 06 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 4:55 am Post subject: |
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| waynehead wrote: |
| I know we all worry about things like height more than we should, but doesn't it seem Koreans do so more than most? I try my best not to be one of those "all Koreans..." guys, but I'm amazed how often height comes up as a topic. |
One thing I find interesting is how tall Koreans actually are. I mean the stereotype of Mongoloids is that they are short in stature. I'm 183 cm (6 feet) and I see tons of guys here that are same height as me, or taller. It is kind of deceiving as they don't always look so tall from far, but I'll be standing next to them in a public place, like the subway, and there are many K guys that are bigger than I am. I really don't feel any taller here than I do back home. I see a ton of K gals that are pretty tall too, even without the heels on. Are they the tallest people in Asia? They definitely seem taller than neighboring countries. I'm surprised Koreans don't brag about that fact, actually. They seem to be quite a proud race of people. We're all use to nationalism here. Sort of a 'did you know Koreans are the tallest in Asia' right before/after they tell you about the four seasons. Seems like something they would do.
On a related note; 168 cm was also the cut line for women to be considered part of the Aryan race in Nazi Germany. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 5:25 am Post subject: |
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| tukmax wrote: |
| One thing I find interesting is how tall Koreans actually are. I mean the stereotype of Mongoloids is that they are short in stature. I'm 183 cm (6 feet) and I see tons of guys here that are same height as me, or taller. It is kind of deceiving as they don't always look so tall from far, but I'll be standing next to them in a public place, like the subway, and there are many K guys that are bigger than I am. I really don't feel any taller here than I do back home. I see a ton of K gals that are pretty tall too, even without the heels on. Are they the tallest people in Asia? They definitely seem taller than neighboring countries. I'm surprised Koreans don't brag about that fact, actually. They seem to be quite a proud race of people. We're all use to nationalism here. Sort of a 'did you know Koreans are the tallest in Asia' right before/after they tell you about the four seasons. Seems like something they would do. |
I don't know. Personally, as a small guy (5'7" - 170), it certainly seems like there are a lot more girls here who are shorter than me than there are back home. I notice, because I'm really not into girls any taller than 5'5". That said, my perception could be off. |
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Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:13 am Post subject: |
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| tukmax wrote: |
| waynehead wrote: |
| I know we all worry about things like height more than we should, but doesn't it seem Koreans do so more than most? I try my best not to be one of those "all Koreans..." guys, but I'm amazed how often height comes up as a topic. |
One thing I find interesting is how tall Koreans actually are. I mean the stereotype of Mongoloids is that they are short in stature. I'm 183 cm (6 feet) and I see tons of guys here that are same height as me, or taller. It is kind of deceiving as they don't always look so tall from far, but I'll be standing next to them in a public place, like the subway, and there are many K guys that are bigger than I am. I really don't feel any taller here than I do back home. I see a ton of K gals that are pretty tall too, even without the heels on. Are they the tallest people in Asia? They definitely seem taller than neighboring countries. I'm surprised Koreans don't brag about that fact, actually. They seem to be quite a proud race of people. We're all use to nationalism here. Sort of a 'did you know Koreans are the tallest in Asia' right before/after they tell you about the four seasons. Seems like something they would do.
On a related note; 168 cm was also the cut line for women to be considered part of the Aryan race in Nazi Germany. |
yes, I think they're the tallest Asians. However, you'd be surprised at how taller the mainland Chinese are getting as well.
"Blame" the growth spurts on introduction of Western food, especially dairy products for children. Rice and kimchi can only take you so far. (not far) (this generational growth gap and causes is very well documented btw)
the sheer amount of "tall" K guys are still way overstated on this forum. Many of them wear boots, taller heeled shoes, but yes a 6 foot tall Korean male is not an aberration. You'll be hard pressed to find many over 6'2 though.
I'm just under 6 ft, but when on the subway, I'm still easily one of the tallest males in the train. Maybe I always get on the "short" subway car, but what'd be the odds of that always happening.
overall though. Koreans remains fairly shorter than the average Caucasian
The average height of Koreans Female: 161.1cm (5 ft 3.4 in) Male: 173.9cm (5 ft 8.4 in) |
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misher
Joined: 14 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:21 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| One thing I find interesting is how tall Koreans actually are. I mean the stereotype of Mongoloids is that they are short in stature. I'm 183 cm (6 feet) and I see tons of guys here that are same height as me, or taller. It is kind of deceiving as they don't always look so tall from far, but I'll be standing next to them in a public place, like the subway, and there are many K guys that are bigger than I am. I really don't feel any taller here than I do back home. I see a ton of K gals that are pretty tall too, even without the heels on. Are they the tallest people in Asia? They definitely seem taller than neighboring countries. I'm surprised Koreans don't brag about that fact, actually. They seem to be quite a proud race of people. We're all use to nationalism here. Sort of a 'did you know Koreans are the tallest in Asia' right before/after they tell you about the four seasons. Seems like something they would do |
Kinda funny that we have different perceptions. Koreans are definitely the tallest out of all east asians and yes they do brag about it in my experience. Just learn Korean and make Korean friends and height will always come up as a topic. Even the word "weinom" which is a racist term for Japanese means "short." I've never been asked so many times about my height and wasn't even sure exactly (just a give or take) what my height was before I came here. I definitely notice tall Korean guys but I'm sorry, at my height of 182 cm I am taller than 80-90% of the guys I see if I have ever cared to look. Therefore I'm NOT average but above it in Korea and I do feel tall here. Some people even comment on my height which would never happen in Canada. In Canada I am average. When I lived in Germany and Scandinavia I was on the shorter side. Another thing you need to keep in mind is that Korean women wear 3-4 inch heels and men ALSO wear heeled shoes soles that act as lifts all the time that give them a 5-6 cm boost. That guy who looks like a 6 footer is actually only 5'9 or 5'10 which ain't tall. Height is ridiculously important here (even more than back home which is hard to believe) and can be a HUGE deal breaker when getting dates and jobs. Shopping for shoes here is also a nightmare because I can't wear heeled dress shoes as they ruin my back.
Summary? For asia yes Koreans are tall. In general however they are not IMO and that goes for men and women. If you want to see tall people then live in Scandinavia or Eastern Europe. I was a shrimp when I lived there. |
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Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:25 am Post subject: |
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| misher wrote: |
| Quote: |
| One thing I find interesting is how tall Koreans actually are. I mean the stereotype of Mongoloids is that they are short in stature. I'm 183 cm (6 feet) and I see tons of guys here that are same height as me, or taller. It is kind of deceiving as they don't always look so tall from far, but I'll be standing next to them in a public place, like the subway, and there are many K guys that are bigger than I am. I really don't feel any taller here than I do back home. I see a ton of K gals that are pretty tall too, even without the heels on. Are they the tallest people in Asia? They definitely seem taller than neighboring countries. I'm surprised Koreans don't brag about that fact, actually. They seem to be quite a proud race of people. We're all use to nationalism here. Sort of a 'did you know Koreans are the tallest in Asia' right before/after they tell you about the four seasons. Seems like something they would do |
Kinda funny that we have different perceptions. Koreans are definitely the tallest out of all east asians and yes they do brag about it in my experience. Just learn Korean and make Korean friends and height will always come up as a topic. Even the word "weinom" which is a racist term for Japanese means "short." I've never been asked so many times about my height and wasn't even sure exactly (just a give or take) what my height was before I came here. I definitely notice tall Korean guys but I'm sorry, at my height of 182 cm I am taller than 80-90% of the guys I see if I have ever cared to look. Therefore I'm NOT average but above it in Korea and I do feel tall here. Some people even comment on my height which would never happen in Canada. In Canada I am average. When I lived in Germany and Scandinavia I was on the shorter side. Another thing you need to keep in mind is that Korean women wear 3-4 inch heels and men ALSO wear heeled shoes soles that act as lifts all the time that give them a 5-6 cm boost. That guy who looks like a 6 footer is actually only 5'9 or 5'10 which ain't tall. Height is ridiculously important here (even more than back home which is hard to believe) and can be a HUGE deal breaker when getting dates and jobs. Shopping for shoes here is also a nightmare because I can't wear heeled dress shoes as they ruin my back.
Summary? For asia yes Koreans are tall. In general however they are not IMO and that goes for men and women. If you want to see tall people then live in Scandinavia or Eastern Europe. I was a shrimp when I lived there. |
yes, yes, yes, yes and yes. (and more yes).
I don't think you'd be a "shrimp" at 182 though, even in Holland, which has the tallest people in the world.  |
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misher
Joined: 14 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:44 am Post subject: |
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well I wasn't a shrimp but I was definitely on the shorter side of average. I think where I lived 6'0/6'1 was more the average whereas in Canada 5'10/5'11 is the average. In Korea even among the younger generation the average looks to me like 5'8 MAYBE 5'9.
You'd be amazed at how guys here stress out how to get to that magic 180 mark. Women aren't the only ones to obsess about these things here all the time. Competition here is insane. Like the west it is an image based society, and people will do anything to get an edge. Men can be just as bad as women.
If Korean men didn't care that much about height then practically the entire male demographic under the age of 35 wouldn't have gone nuts when that Misuda girl said short guys are losers. |
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Louis VI
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
Location: In my Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:56 am Post subject: |
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I'm 186 cm tall and my old Korean apartment door peephole is at belly button level (no kidding!) suggesting that Koreans of generations past either hunched over to look out or were quite short.
(As for Korean ideals, well, they think the palest skin, even if white paint is needed, is best; yet also, ironically, that Koreans are a pure race. Pfft.) |
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Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:59 am Post subject: |
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| misher wrote: |
well I wasn't a shrimp but I was definitely on the shorter side of average. I think where I lived 6'0/6'1 was more the average whereas in Canada 5'10/5'11 is the average. In Korea even among the younger generation the average looks to me like 5'8 MAYBE 5'9.
You'd be amazed at how guys here stress out how to get to that magic 180 mark. Women aren't the only ones to obsess about these things here all the time. Competition here is insane. Like the west it is an image based society, and people will do anything to get an edge. Men can be just as bad as women.
If Korean men didn't care that much about height then practically the entire male demographic under the age of 35 wouldn't have gone nuts when that Misuda girl said short guys are losers. |
yup. don't disagree with anything you say. The man has to have money and height to get his whiny Korean princess, so she can later hold his balls in her hand when an adjumma and squeeze them really hard whenever she wants to LOL
yup. the average Korean guy is similar in height to a southern European male (italian, greek, spaniard, portuguese), but will be shorter than a northern European. |
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cragesmure
Joined: 23 Oct 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 8:36 am Post subject: |
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| misher wrote: |
| Quote: |
| One thing I find interesting is how tall Koreans actually are. I mean the stereotype of Mongoloids is that they are short in stature. I'm 183 cm (6 feet) and I see tons of guys here that are same height as me, or taller. It is kind of deceiving as they don't always look so tall from far, but I'll be standing next to them in a public place, like the subway, and there are many K guys that are bigger than I am. I really don't feel any taller here than I do back home. I see a ton of K gals that are pretty tall too, even without the heels on. Are they the tallest people in Asia? They definitely seem taller than neighboring countries. I'm surprised Koreans don't brag about that fact, actually. They seem to be quite a proud race of people. We're all use to nationalism here. Sort of a 'did you know Koreans are the tallest in Asia' right before/after they tell you about the four seasons. Seems like something they would do |
Kinda funny that we have different perceptions. Koreans are definitely the tallest out of all east asians and yes they do brag about it in my experience. Just learn Korean and make Korean friends and height will always come up as a topic. Even the word "weinom" which is a racist term for Japanese means "short." I've never been asked so many times about my height and wasn't even sure exactly (just a give or take) what my height was before I came here. I definitely notice tall Korean guys but I'm sorry, at my height of 182 cm I am taller than 80-90% of the guys I see if I have ever cared to look. Therefore I'm NOT average but above it in Korea and I do feel tall here. Some people even comment on my height which would never happen in Canada. In Canada I am average. When I lived in Germany and Scandinavia I was on the shorter side. Another thing you need to keep in mind is that Korean women wear 3-4 inch heels and men ALSO wear heeled shoes soles that act as lifts all the time that give them a 5-6 cm boost. That guy who looks like a 6 footer is actually only 5'9 or 5'10 which ain't tall. Height is ridiculously important here (even more than back home which is hard to believe) and can be a HUGE deal breaker when getting dates and jobs. Shopping for shoes here is also a nightmare because I can't wear heeled dress shoes as they ruin my back.
Summary? For asia yes Koreans are tall. In general however they are not IMO and that goes for men and women. If you want to see tall people then live in Scandinavia or Eastern Europe. I was a shrimp when I lived there. |
I'm not saying that you are wrong, but I'm curious about that stats here. I've lived in both Korea and China, and it is my opinion (not fact) that Chinese people are, on average, taller. It could be just Han Chinese, or that I lived only in the north-east of China, or that Koreans bow too much, or that I forgot to pack my stilts when I went to China. Just my opinion. |
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jvalmer
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
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Oreovictim
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 2:09 pm Post subject: |
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| misher wrote: |
If Korean men didn't care that much about height then practically the entire male demographic under the age of 35 wouldn't have gone nuts when that Misuda girl said short guys are losers. |
When was that? It must have been about a year ago, right? Although I'm a so-called "loser" because I don't hit the 180 cm mark, I wasn't offended by what she said. Actually, I found it downright hilarious that the whole country got really pissy about it. Foreigner guys are talked about in a negative light so much on that show, and of course no one cares. But the second someone says something about Korean men . . . look out! |
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