Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SpedEd]

I prefer not to make generalized statements like the above but in my case, it's apparently true. I was already wary about getting a haircut in Korea for the obvious reason that I couldn't communicate the way in which I wanted to have it cut. Bringing a picture is always an option but, damnit, I lost the picture before going to have my mop chopped.

The first haircut was in Ulsan, which was ironically the best. The hairstylist did a decent job all around - except for the back. It was getting pretty long back there and for some reason she didn't take any length off; rather, she just thinned it out leaving me with a mini-mullet. Oh well, Billy Ray Cyrus was a pretty cool guy back in the early 90s and everybody has been going retro, right

I waited an extra long time for the second cropping, and I went into Sinchon all the way from Ansan to what I thought was a decent hairstylist's spot. They were very timid with the scissors and I had to tell the haircutter to get rid of that mullet *three* times! Also, there was a gap in my mini-mullet that was the result of my desperate attempt to clear some of that hair away Incrediby, when the stylist "finished," and I asked for the mirror to see the back, the gap was still there. The gap wasn't that big and she could have removed it without any complications, but for some reason she left it I guess with all the focus on the back of my head, she sort of forgot to take the length off the front and sides - Oh Brother!

Back in Ansan only a few weeks since my haircut in Seoul, I walked by what looked like a quaint mom 'n pop haircut shop this Saturday. She must have been really smitten by the waygookin in the chair because she didn't seem to pay enough attention to my uncut bangs and sides, so I did the usual pointing and grunting to indicate what to cut. Then, she asked something in Korean after I pointed to the back and sides and whipped out the shears and took the hair down to the scalp on the back. When I saw what she was doing, I recoiled and made an "X" with my arms. She looked mystified at this point and then calls up the English-speaking friend on the cell *after the fact* - Arggh!! I told the friend that I wanted a medium length cut on the top, back, and sides, but it was too late because her friend had already shaved the back. I then indicated that she should now do around the ears and color me gone. Yes, she did around the ears, alright...like an unfinished lawn - patchy and jagged.

That's the last haircut for me. By the time the hair grows back, I'll gratefully be out of Korea and telling the barber back home all about my hair woes while I worked in Korea. By the way, you can catch a glimpse of this haircut: I'll be the guy wearing the baseball cap and holding his head in shame on the subway.

[djsmnc]

1. When I had my girlfriend go with me everytime to get my haircut and explain what I wanted in Korean, VOILA! they did it exactly how I wanted it done. I get my haircut short, but I didn't want the Korean middle schooler/salary man bowl cut with a line about 3 centimeters over the ears, and I don't like a military style high-and-tight. With my girlfriend there, they cut my hair better than people do it back home.

2. Avoid the 5,000 won Blue Club/ Nice Guy places. They cut your hair for 5,000 won! I'm a pretty firm believer that with a haircut, you get what you pay for.

3. Learn Korean. Photos can only tell them so much, and if some foreigner walked in, didn't explain anything, and just handed me a photo while making grunting noises and X's with their hands, I'd expect to miss out on a lot of details.

4. I'm not an apologist. Just trying to give you some helpful pointers.

[brento1138]

I got my hairdresser in Canada to take pictures of me just after my haircut so I could show Koreans the way I want it. Speak to them with images, and they'll understand.

[princess]

Actually, I find Koreans to be well-versed in hair cutting/styling. Most idiot hairdressers in the US still don't know what a magic straight perm is, except for the ones in CA and maybe NY. Digital perms? Ha! No way! They still only know about old-school ajumma perms in the states.

[happygirl]

Experiences like yours are why I'm bringing my blades and other stuff back with me next week. Think there would be anyone who would want to have a licensed stylist from the States do their hair?

[Roch]

[bobbyhanlon]

just learn how to tell them what you want in korean. no more than a couple of sentences, and you won't have this trouble.
my first haircut in korea was a disaster too.. gave me that typical ajosshi shaven around the sides malarkey.. so, i learned how to tell them not to give me it.
also there are pictures on the wall, usually, of different styles; that may help, although i'm not sure you'd want any of them (usually either total ajosshi style or that whole gay boyband-y look).
hm... i've never had trouble with blue club.. maybe because my hair is short and boring, they can't mess it up too much. for 5,000 its a steal!
anyway i'm sure if you really wanted to, you could go to itaewon and find an english speaking barbershop.

[Harpeau]

"Je T'aime" in Hongdae do a superb job! It's pretty close to Margarita. You could also try calling (02)1330 KNTO #2 for English and asking them to translate for you.

BTW, the US military at Yongsan Dragon Hill Hotel have an excellent hair salon. I was there for my last cut and they were very professional and spoke perfect English, but you'll have to get a friend who is working there willing to sign you on.

[kiwigirl :O)]

i got one of my co workers to write down in korean what i wanted and it has not been a problem for me....also i tend to use the cocofun coupons so that you can get cut/colour or perm for 20k...a sweet deal and im also lucky that my hairdresser speaks some english and knows that i only want a trim (with no mullet) each time i go

[krats1976]

[stumptown]

I've decided to just keep it simple...all off with a #9 blade. That seems to be the only thing they can get right. I don't know how many times I tell them to just trim even with the ears. What do they do? I get a half inch trim above the ears. Stupidity at its best.

[SpedEd]

[StAxX SOuL]

Awful...

I walked into a barbershop for a haircut, paid 80,000W... ended up with sex and no haircut... shame on the Korean hair industry...


But seriously... you just need to go to a good establishment... I always go to Toni and Guy in Apgujeong or Cheongdam... prices start at 30,000W and go up to about 50,000W... to me, that's reasonable because I'll pay the same back home and a Toni and Guy salon back home would be much more... the service and treatment is excellent and well worth the money... they always have English proficient stylists too since most of them studied for a good time and trained in London

[CAS]

this is why i'm just going to shave my head

[capebretoncanadian]

Damn the five dollar haircuts are money...just got one Wednesday....I think it's the best haircut I've ever had!