Korean Job Discussion Forums

mysterious700 · Joined: 10 Mar 2006

HOW IS A SHAVED HEAD PERCEIVED IN KOREA??? (BY employers?) I realize this is a silly superficial question and I will expect some smart alec replys. lol I have heard Korea is a conservative society and employers tend to frown on piercings and tatoos. But do they have a negative attitude towards a shaved head? I am a Canadian and I have been thinking of going over for a year to Korea. I am approaching my 30's and am thinking of shaving my head bald, since my hair is thinning. Will Korean employers think I am a punk or shady character by that appearance? Also, how would Korean women react? Any serious advice or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

They will think you are in the army.

VirginIslander · Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: Busan

Students call me macbaggy, who is a famous bald Korean comedian, and the epitome of Korean telivised stupidity. Other than that, some kids call me Octopus Head in Korean but its playfull.

If your boss had a choice between no hair and too much hair, he would take the former.

No worries.

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

nautilus · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!

Either in the army, or a monk.
I find they get used to anything though after a day or two. I'm curently shaven headed with a beard and a moustache. They don't like it but so what.
I'd agree not to have long hair, but thats about as far as it goes.

Delirium's Brother · Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 2:09 am Post subject:

I have long hair (worn in a ponytail for work) and a beard/moustache combo. It hasn't been a problem so far; but my hair is always clean and worn close to the head (when tied) and the beard is trimmed REGULARLY and shaped by shaving (neck, cheeks, etc.).

I get the feeling that any hairstyle is okay, as long as it's neat and clean; and you are not wearing rags. I could be wrong though.

I've gotten more grief from Westerners than Koreans. Yes, I'm a hippie so back-off (haven't you read my profile?).

dam_on · Joined: 12 Dec 2006

I came over with a shaved head as well. Just make sure if they ask for a picture (99.9% will) with your application, you send them one of you with a shaved head. At least they will know what they are getting...so to speak.

As far as having trouble getting a job, it shouldn't be an issue. Just look friendly and have a nice big smile...nothing too creepy...and you should do well.

Good luck on your job hunt!!

yesnoyesyesno · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

many many people will ask you why you shaved your head, others will smartly notice that you shaved your head out loud.

i've had a shaved head in korea before and every other korean was like "why did you shave your head" or "hey you cut off all your hair"

blynch · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: UCLA

saybanana · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Location: LA

I buzzed (nearly to the skin) my head two days before I went on my winter vacation in a tropical area.
I was stressed and had limited time so I couldnt bother with combing, geling and styling it anymore. PLus I wanted to wear beanies cuz it was cold.

Anyways, when I came back from vacation, people are like you are so brown/black (bad sunburn) and why did you shave your head?
I got about 10 different people ask me, and then my students asked me. It got annoying. I just made up so studpid excuses like its the new Korean Stlye.Im going to be a waygook gangster. That ultimate fighter has one why cant I?

Its just hair. I mean those kids with Mullets and perms, or hair like hippies in the 60s. and those who color their hair odd colors. My god, I mean why is that accepted somewhat and my shaved head is questioned.

They dont really care though. I dont really dress professional. I just wear loose jeans and a hoodie to work. I have a goatee, and my 1 centimeter long hair. They dont really care what I look like at work, so I can stray away from the norms of the korean teachers expected standards.

Scouse Mouse · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Location: Cloud #9

I have had a shaved head (have done since I was a teenager). Just let it grow for a week and then put a suit on for your photo. Mine is pretty dark and grows fast, so it doesn't look too thuggish after 2 weeks of growth.

If you have blond hair, dye it before your photo then shave it off again. Just make sure you have your bonehead back when you land so that they don't notice the difference in colour Very Happy

mervsdamun · Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Location: Seoul

Amla - is it this stuff?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_gooseberry

Here are some known baldness treatments:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldness_treatments

You should be fine. People will get used to it quickly. I did shock people when I arrived at work with no hair one day, but that�s because I had reasonably long hair before applying the razor. It lasted two days. Also, I have four acquaintances that have no choice but to shave and they have no problems at work.

As for Korean women, hard to tell. MPB is not as common here as in the West, and lots of people are into the flower-boy look. That said, all of the guys I mentioned above have a partner. One of them came here with a girlfriend and the other three have found Korean partners (two of them being extremely attractive). I must also add that all of those guys have winning personalities and really good sense of humor, which no doubt helped.

Fresh Prince · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: The glorious nation of Korea

I don't think shaving your head will be a problem. Most Koreans know that there are different customs and styles abroad. Just tell them that it is the style where you live. You can mention, Bruce Willis, Patrick Stewert, or other famous people with shaved heads.

In the west ageing is looked at as a kind of weakness in many countries. In Asia, it is different. Ageing is looked at as a benefit. People respect the old in language and behavior. You may not want to shave your head here because being old brings you a lot of benefits. A short haircut might do the trick. Everyone will ask you your age anyway, from your coworkers to your students, and if you lie to them and get caught (if they look at your passport) then you will look like an idiot.

Whatever you do make sure that you attach a current photo of what you will look like when you send your application. If you are bald, send a photo that shows you are bald. If you are overweight, send a photo that shows you are overweight. If the school thinks you look like an old photo and you show up different they will lose all respect for you and your time will not be as pleasant as it could be.

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 4:14 am Post subject:

I did it for the fall and early winter back in 2005 and i was surprised to get compliments from my director and his wife, the other teacher at the small hagwon. Plus a lot of students liked it.

I also decided to do a beard at the same time and when I had a full face of hair and still shaved head i was told I looked very much like a professor (by other waygooks).

I wasn't stared at by Koreans but I lived on Geoje where a lot of foreigners work at the shipyards.

Interestingly, when I polled my students as to what I should first, shave my face or grow hair on the top of my head, or both or neither, the answers were pretty unanimous... shave the beard but keep the bald head!!!! (This surprised me but not totally, as there are shaved Koreans about, but no men with a thick full-cheeked beard.)

Go for it.