[Korean Culture & Language] 호감, 비호감


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Photo by Sam Moqadam on Unsplash

South Korea is known as the world’s plastic surgery capital, with the highest rate of cosmetic surgeries and around 1 million procedures performed each year. Because many Koreans place a great value on their physical appearances, seeing a plastic surgeon has now become virtually as common as visiting the dentist.

Sadly, a large number of South Koreans feel dissatisfied with their appearance. According to GFK’s study, only 34% responded with "completely satisfied" or "satisfied". The remaining responses were "not at all satisfied," "not too satisfied," and "neither satisfied nor unhappy". This explains why Koreans with poor self-esteem spend tens of thousands of dollars on plastic surgery and cosmetics.

https://highschool.latimes.com/fairmont-preparatory-academy/opinion-another-look-at-lookism-in-south-korea/

According to a survey on appearance and plastic surgeries in South Korea, almost nine out of ten South Korean adults answered that how they look is important in their lives and this perception has not changed much over the last 25 years.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1111188/south-korea-importance-appearance/

Big eyes, small and high nose, plump lips, and a v-line jaw, with a slim body, are considered ‘beautiful’ in Korea. 

Fortunately, not everyone needs to look like a doll to be liked. 

Being a 호감형 (having a likable look) can be more important in life. JYP educates the idol that they should be sincere, nice, and humble in order to be a ‘호감형’.


Some people are physically attractive but are unlikable because of the words they use or the facial expressions they make on their faces. Having a 좋은 인상 (good impression) can be far more beneficial than having an ‘attractive’ face.

The term ‘비호감,’ on the other hand, is used when someone does something that is unlikely to be accepted by a majority of people. Even the most handsome or beautiful people, like Jung Hae-in, can become ‘비호감’ in a second.

Ex)

A: 어제 새로 온 남자 애 안전 잘생기지 않았어?
Don’t you think the new guy is super cute?

B: 왜 잘생겼다고 하는지는 알겠는데 걔 허세 너무 심해. 비호감 캐릭터야
I see why you think he’s cute, but he’s so pretentious. He’s unlikable.


Would you consider yourself a 호감?

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