From BTS and Stray Kids to NCT, most male K-pop idols share one striking feature: a smooth, hairless face. A bright, clean-shaven look has become the modern standard of male beauty in South Korea.
This trend is not limited to celebrities. In everyday Korean life, a neat and tidy appearance is expected in offices, service industries, and even dating. Many men opt for permanent beard removal to maintain a youthful, polished image, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
Once a symbol of masculinity, facial hair is now seen by many as an aesthetic obstacle.
Two centuries ago, most Korean men wore beards. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), a beard symbolized maturity and status. Scholar Yi Kyu-gyong noted, “When praising a man, the first thing to mention is his beard.”
Historical records also show that men without facial hair were sometimes ridiculed as unmarriageable, with beards serving as a mark of adulthood. Neo-Confucian thought considered hair and beards sacred, inherited from one’s parents, and not to be altered, according to historian Jang Suk-man.
However, in 1895, Western-style reforms led to a decree requiring men to cut their hair and shave their beards to symbolize modernization. Emperor Gojong and the crown prince led by example, and beards gradually disappeared from Korean men’s faces.
“Beards once symbolized social status, but the decree changed public perception,” historian Jang explains.
According to Kim Gyung-chun, a hair stylist with 35 years of experience, most Koreans naturally have sparser facial hair than Western men.
“Each hair follicle grows 1–2 strands, compared to 2–3 in Western men, making it harder to grow full beards,” Kim explains.
Many men now use laser hair removal for convenience and aesthetics. One blogger, Goraebab, says he had to shave daily to maintain a tidy look at his workplace in a shopping mall.
Others, like Sakong Jong-hwan (34), have undergone 15 sessions of beard removal, citing professional and dating expectations. Another man, Shin, shared that after 17 treatments at roughly 30 USD each, his beard growth slowed and his skin improved.
Beyond appearance, some choose beard removal for skin health, avoiding irritation, acne, and hyperpigmentation.
Despite societal pressure, some Korean men proudly maintain their beards. Jung Byung-hyun (38) has grown his beard for 4 years, using imported growth products initially.
“I learned to trim it through trial and error. Now I’m proud—it’s an image every man should try at least once,” Jung says.
Another stylist, known as Santa, has kept his beard for 14 years, seeing it as a personal style statement.
Although initially met with curiosity and subtle rejection, he notes more Korean men are starting to grow beards under Western cultural influence.
The Korean perception of facial hair has shifted dramatically—from a symbol of adulthood and masculinity to a potential aesthetic flaw. Today, the clean-shaven look dominates, but the minority embracing beards reflects a growing diversity in male style and self-expression.
Sources: Znews
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