5 Reasons Why “Soft Masculinity” Is So Popular With Korean Men

Some Korean beauty standards, such as fair skin, remain unchanged for centuries. In this Asian country, both men and women, especially the stars of k-pop, they take great care of their appearance. A few years ago, only big fans listened to Korean music. Today the k-pop it is known even by those who are far from this culture. But few people outside Korea know why the country’s singers tend to have a “feminine” appearance.

At the awesome.club, we are interested in the culture of different countries and we enjoy listening to music of all genres. Therefore, we decided to find out why Korean men stand out so much from others. And, as a bonus, we’ll tell you about your relationship with makeup. Check out!

Physical appearance in Korea is historically an indicator of social status. In the past, in the country, as in many other parts of the world, the representatives of the lower classes had a more rustic and coarse appearance than the men of the upper class. Peasants had a “tough image”: rough facial features and calloused hands. Aristocrats, on the other hand, had a more refined and tidy appearance, as they did not do physical labor. It can be assumed that women preferred men of exquisite appearance.

In the ancient kingdom of Silla there was an elite group of young men aged 14–15 known as Hwarang or “flower boys”. They dedicated themselves to martial arts training and studies of state management, culture and religion. According to ancient texts, Hwarang warriors stood out not only for their knowledge, but also for their good looks.

According to psychologists, women from countries with a lower incidence of certain types of disease prefer men with more refined facial features. So, let’s say that “supply creates its own demand”. South Korea is a country with a developed healthcare system. According to WHO data, it ranks 11th in the list of countries with the highest life expectancy. It can be assumed that this is one of the reasons why Korean women prefer sophisticated-looking men.

In addition, there is a theory according to which women began to choose men with more delicate traits as a response to gender discrimination. After the 1997 Korean financial crisis, the unemployment rate among women grew more than among men. Inequality led to an increase in the number of films and books in which traditional gender roles were questioned. Such works led women to choose men with slightly feminine facial features: supposedly, their appearance made the female population feel more influential.

In general, Koreans have a neat appearance as they tend to take care of their skin and dress well. According to data from the market research company Euromonitor, it is precisely in Korea that men take more care of their bodies. The multi-step personal care system, which includes serums and masks, sunscreens, makeup, cosmetic and surgical procedures, is popular with both women and men. Society tends to disapprove of neglected appearance and being overweight, regardless of gender.

For example, members of the famous Korean band BTS share their secrets to flawless skin with their fans. They even have their own line of cosmetics. In addition, the Korean beauty industry produces cosmetics for soldiers (military service in Korea is mandatory for all young people).

Most Asians like fair skin. That’s why the country’s stores are full of skin whitening cosmetics. I advise you not to try them on so you don’t look like a ghost. These products seem to be only suitable for locals. © Lekissa / Pikabu

A good physique, skin and body are not only wanted for fashion. In Korea, masculine beauty and a neat appearance are also a way to stand out from the crowd and gain a competitive edge. The thing is, almost all Koreans have higher education. Due to the mentality, the number of students who graduate with high grades prevails as Korean culture places a high value on education. So, all things being equal, many companies will hire the candidate who has the most pleasant appearance.

According to studies, 86% of South Korean men aged between 25 and 37 believe that their work situation will improve as their physical appearance improves.

Koreans tend to try very hard to look good. Even elderly married men are always presentable: well dressed and perfectly shaven. It’s hard to find a sloppy Korean. In Korea, there are mirrors everywhere, which helps you to check your look at any time. Koreans often spend a lot of time on their style. In this country, taking care of your appearance becomes an obsession. © Darren Hughes / Quora

Korean artists have conquered more countries every year. According to a 2019 survey, around 37.5% of respondents worldwide stated that the k-pop was “very popular” in their countries.

Young people are the main audience for Korean bands. As the research showed, almost 50% of the public is female and is in the age group of up to 19 years. Due to their age, they prefer delicate-looking boys. Therefore, Korean idols meet the demand of their audience and are seen as handsome, attractive, and charismatic young people. In Korea, there is even a term for handsome men — Khonminam🇧🇷

In Korea, to meet male beauty standards, a man must be tall, slender, slender, fair-skinned, with a sharp chin and double eyelids. © Vivian / Quora

Korean men can seem to spend all their time looking at themselves in the mirror. In reality, not everyone focuses only on their appearance or spends all their time taking care of it like the stars of the pop🇧🇷 But anyway, the male population often use cosmetics, visit beauticians and plastic surgeons. On the Internet, you can find many videos where Koreans tell about their daily makeup and going out.

Ordinary Korean boys don’t care about their appearance as much as celebrities. Usually, young people just apply lip balm, light foundation and do a stylish hairstyle. © Monica Samiadjie / Quora

And what do you think of the appearance of Koreans? Comment! What’s your style? More refined or more raw? We look forward to your comment.