Mr Gwon says it can be in any type of relationship but usually it’s used for romantic relationship, so it’s the push and pull thing. So maybe your students are saying that the push and pull thing is important and telling you to do it, so not being too eager and all that.

hahahaha hanbok has sooo many advantages 😀 Hurray for the hanbok!! 😀

Haha! No problem! I always like your comments too. And I share your wish that the world was more free to be ourselves – whatever that may be. I tried hanbok on the first time i went to korea. Its was comfortable for me and I felt happy and pretty because of the nice bright colours. I am only medium height (166cm) but i have short legs. I am not sure if the hanbok made them look longer, but it disguised my swollen belly from all the delicious food i was eating that holiday. haha.

You are right, girls; the absurd pressure on being tall and attractive is something that stikes me a lot…But I guess it’s the other side of the coin… I once showed my Korean friend a photo in which I was wearing a hanbok and he said I looked good in it because this dress was designed for such short girls as me (-.-“) to make their legs look longer… oh come on xD Should I treat it as a compliment (“oh you look good!”) or a malicious remark (“you’re so short! thank’s Heaven for the hanbok!” xD) ? Hahaha 😉 For me it’s never really been a problem so I was even more surprised to hear I could “improve” myself with wearing a hanbok 😀 Anyway, thank you for carrying on this discussion; I love reading the comments of both of you ^^ they’re always very “enlightening” 🙂 (I still know very little about Korean culture and mentality and I’m glad I can get to know more by reading this blog ^^)

Yep exactly! and i also think it depends on how much money you have too! none of the chaebol chiefs seem to be knock-out studs! haha. Its good Hugh is feeling better about himself – he should! 🙂

That is true as well. And the pressure Korean girls put on guys to be tall is ridiculous. It’s something Hugh doesn’t need to worry about as much. Even though he is not seen as really attractive by Korean standards, his confidence has grown from being in Australia and realising there are different perceptions of beauty. He also doesn’t have to apply for a job in Korea and face those attitudes. I do think that type of pressure varies depending what part of Korea you are in though.

I agree with what you and Nic have said about masculinity… BUT at the same time there are a lot of other pressures and stereotypes regarding personal image that wouldn’t be as much of an issue in the West (there is a reason men are encouraged to wear BB cream!). For example when my BF was looking for a job his advisor told him he had to go and spend thousands of dollars on skin treatment to reduce his acne scarring – otherwise employers wouldn’t consider him. …he works in Finance not modelling!! And always job applications ask for photos! This is not common in Australia unless its a headshot for entertainment industry jobs etc. I know plenty of western guys under 180cm – how many of them wear shoe-lifts? none. Its a sad reason why the aesthetic surgery and cosmetic industries are so prominent in Korea. I don’t know if the pressure to be “masculine” is any worse than the pressure to be “good-looking.”

Absolutely. I think that’s a very healthy approach to life in general – not strangling people with certain stereotypes and models of behaviour they should follow.

It does give them a lot more freedom. Western society gets so obsessed with masculinity that it can be suffocating…. when really it’s just one version of masculinity. Korean men have the freedom to be very touchy feely with other guys, to be able to express their emotions and take pride in their personal appearance. It’s a good thing.