UCLA
Center for East Asian Studies
Korean Youth and Popular Culture
August 30, 1999
The Korea Herald || Korean Youth Culture || News File Index
Letting it all hang out young and restless get funky with colored hair
By Shin Kyung-hwa Staff reporter
During the Choson Dynasty (1392-1910), Koreans followed a strict brand of Confucianism which taught that it is a filial duty to respect the body because it came from parents. Out of this respect, men kept their hair long in a topknot called a "sangtu." Such was the influence of Confucius, that the promulgation of a 1895 law to cut long hair was vociferously denounced as a dubious Japanese-inspired modern reform. And an anti-government movement, waving banners, "Even if you cut off our heads, you can't cut our hair," gained momentum.
Today, more than a century after vast cultural upheaval, that story has been long forgotten. These days, people go to great lengths to decorate their bodies. In addition to tattoos and cosmetic surgery, dyed hair is fast becoming the latest craze. This trend, which only recently reached Asia, began in Britain in the 1980s with the emergence of "punk rockers." It quickly spread throughout the Western world. About five years ago in the Harajuku district in Tokyo, young Japanese took to the trend that is now captivating young Koreans. In Seoul's most trendy fashion districts such as Myong-dong, Apkujong-dong and Shinchon, young people stroll the streets showing off brightly colored hair.
"I dye my hair twice a month. I like the unique style," said a 22-year-old girl with yellow hair spotted with some green strands.
"It's summer vacation time and I dyed my hair yellow. Many friends of mine do so, too," said an 18-year-old boy.
"During the summer time, dark brown hair seems too hot and heavy, so I dyed my hair," said a girl sporting orange hair. Another girl studying hair design said, "I want to stand out in a crowd, I want to be different," smoothing her light brown hair.
Cho Hae-joang, a professor at Yonsei University, says that new trends such as hair dyeing are just ways of expressing one's individuality, especially in Asian countries like Korea and Japan where people share so many of the same characteristics. "Korea and Japan are more uniform than Western countries. Today's youth are resisting such a homogenous society and nationalism these days," he said.
While the so-called generation "Y" recalls the hippie trend of the 1960s and 1970s, rather than resisting conventional ways of living, the young generation is simply embodying a whole new style, say popular culture critics.
"Though dyed hair is a way for the young to express themselves, they are following a kind of entertainers' style which has been already used," said Kim Chang-nam, professor of Sung-Kong-Hoe University. His view on the cultural development is based on a notion, "consumption society." "Despite the pursuit of individuality, they are only imitating and consuming the existing fashion. They are only borrowing from commercialized culture," Kim said. Another critic, Kim Song-ki analyzed the cultural phenomenon in the context of the 'self.' Kim says young people alter their appearances because they no longer have a fixed notion of who they are or how they should behave. "The young generation have changed the concept of the 'self' and created a different one. While former generations can be described as embodying the 'fixed' and 'integrated self,' the young generation demonstrates the 'expressive self' and 'flexible self,' he said.
"When young people are asked why they dye their hair, they answer "for nothing." They have no concept of identity. They treat and decorate themselves as if they are toys. Moreover, they think the present is the most important, not the past nor the future. They do not behave in a linear way like their parents. The present-centered attitude makes them alter their bodies and appearances," Kim added.
Yi Chong-won, a researcher of the Korea Institution for Youth Development says the teens' new lifestyle should be embraced. "Those of the old generation, when they were young, disobeyed the existing rules, too. Resisting the old ways is only natural among all new generations, especially in Korea where the students are burdened by so much schoolwork. They let off steam by pursuing a new fashion style," he said.
Copyright 1999 The Korea Herald
