Korean Job Discussion Forums

[duke of new york]

I am not going to another Korean hairdresser ever again. I just got a haircut and it looks absolutely ridiculous. All I want is a short, neat haircut. Koreans seem to think that the only haircut a man could possibly want is some variation of a bowl cut. No matter what I tell them while they are cutting, it always ends up looking about the same.

Can anyone recommend an American or other Western barber or hairdresser in Seoul? Anywhere in Seoul. If you have a phone number that would be great.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I'm a girl with very short hair. I find that regular barber shops will be more accommodating than the posh salons. Ever since my first bad haircut here, a few years ago, I've been going to a barber shop. The guy knows enough English, and I know enough Korean for us to communicate. It's in Incheon, but send me a PM if you're interested. It's 9,000 won for a cut, and another 5,000 won if you want to be shampooed after. The guy's really decent, too.

[duke of new york]

Thank you, but I am looking for someone from North America. I have been to several small barber shops, and none of them have been anything close to satisfactory. I think part of it is that even if he/she is accommodating, I don't really know how to give them instructions for what I want if they have no idea how to cut hair in a Western style. That's why I want someone who already knows what they are doing.

[ssuprnova]

[duke of new york]

Thanks, do you have a phone number for Erica?

[fermentation]

Possibly a language problem? I've been to a lot and when I ask for a short haircut they always give me a military style buzz cut, which is what I want. You have to ask for a short sports cut. I've found Korean barbers more accommodating to my tastes than American ones. I ask for short hair in the states they either turn me into a jarhead or a skinhead.

You should also shop around like with everything else. Those fancy salons run by women and gay guys are more expensive and they always whine at me for wanting short hair. They always complain that short hair isn't in style or that it doesn't look good. Which is annoying. I'm not paying you for advice, just shut up and cut my hair they way I want it.

Older shops with older barbers have always been cheaper and better in my experience in both Korean and the US. I go to one lady who cuts my hair for 5000 while this gay guy across the street charges me 9000 for the same haircut all the while whining that it doesn't look pretty.

[Drew10]

I like to keep mine short also. I took my wife to the local barber and had her explain what I wanted the first time, ever since then he knows what I like and does it pretty much the way I want.

Plus a shampoo, rinse, and straight-razor shave for 10k, with free cuts for my 1 and 2 year old when they need them. We always offer to pay for the extra kid's cuts but he refuses our money every time.

This guy keeps my business until he closes or I'm no longer able to go there.

[duke of new york]

My problem is that when they cut it short, they shave it really close right around my ears, then let it flare out at the top of the sides. I just want it short and even along the sides, without an almost bald strip around my ears that they always seem to want to do. I don't know if you understand what I mean, but I have yet to get any Korean hairdresser to do it right.

Like I said, I have shopped around. I have tried about six different places, some big and fancy and some small holes in the wall. I have given up on Koreans. I would give someone who has worked in Australia/North America a try, but I'm not going to another regular Korean place. I could get a better haircut doing it myself.

[Dazed and Confused]

PM sent.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

[ayahyaha]

I go to Lucy's near Hongdae. I lived here a few years ago and she cut my hair then. When I moved back this year, I hunted her down. That's how good she is. She's cool, patient, speaks English well, and has lots of experience with Caucasian hair. I have difficult hair to cut and she rocks it.

Check out:
http://www.lucyhair.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucy-Hair/203410306345705?sk=info

The address is on the Facebook page, and here are directions (stolen from http://10mag.com/i-love-lucy-finding-a-salon-in-seoul/):
Lucy Hair: 02-325-2225 Directions: Line 2 to Sinchon Station take Exit 1. Walk straight ahead until you reach Natuur Ice Cream shop and turn right. Approximately � block down on your left is a TWorld building Lucy Hair is on the 2nd floor.

EDIT: 20 or 25K for guys, I think, and 30 or 35 for girls. Not barbershop prices, but still pretty cheap.

[chasmmi]

Find a photo or magazine of a person sporting the style you want and take that picture with you and just gesticulate that you wish your hair to look like the hair that you are pointing to.

[thebektionary]

I go to the Green Turtle in Itaewon and I've never had a bad haircut. Actually, Michelle (the gay Korean guy who does all the haircuts) fixed my hair disaster I suffered after going to a Korean hair dresser and gave me the best haircut I've ever gotten. I have curly hair so getting a haircut in Korea was a scary thought, but I went to Michelle and though he's a little strange he never ever does a bad job. A lot of men go to him too. He's just very familiar with Caucasian hair.

It's 20,000 won which is not expensive for me at all considering I pay 50-60 dollars in the states. Not just anyone can cut curly hair.

[aphong420]

The "Park Jun" franchises, though a little pricey, tend to be of high quality.

If you can't speak Korean, bring in a picture and show them want you want.

[jpe]