The importance of looks in Korean Culture

[spcnet]

This is a great blog post about looks in Korean culture. Specifically males...

I'll only take the first paragraph so you can get a preview, but you should click on the link to read the rest.

Looks: a Brief Introduction


Outward looks play a huge role in any culture; you would be lying to refute that. For example, I know when I step into a job interview, the (usually Caucasian) interviewer has already developed a mental image of what kind of person I am based on my looks: Asian, male, average height. If I had to guess, the mental image would be somewhat along the lines of, 'Good at math, bad at English, and lacks confidence.' The whole interview I battle with that ghost using a slew of techniques: I add a slight southern drawl to my English, make sure to have a firm handshake and great eye contact, and project my voice. The moment they realize I don't have an Asian accent, I see their eyes light up and it's as if I can almost hear them think, 'Oh, he's one of us!' Personal anecdotes aside, we make judgments based on appearance, and whether it's right or wrong, it's an undeniable truth.

http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/view...opic_id=321767

[NuDaFu]

So - unfortunately - true.

Which seems to support the theory that beautiful looking people are at an advantage in society. This, however, works to a certain point; specifically in skill based professions.

Any work execution requiring skills and/or smarts will eventually highlight the impracticality of a pretty face. Even in the acting field, I think acting talent trumps the looks. As looks are certainly important, I can't see how an actor or actress can grow and improve in their profession by just looks alone.

Although the above example sounds quite human, if I was the boss, I'd fire that interviewer's backside for such immature decision making. Probably interviewers like these that told Steve Jobs he would never amount to anything.

[ByTmE]

How depressing. Good thing the country is not particularly high on my to-visit list...

[Guo Xiang]

If you watch their variety shows, there is always an emphasis on looks. :\

[ByTmE]

Hey....you replying to this thread a year laterz??

HAHA!! And I agree with you Guo Xiang.

[Guo Xiang]

Hey....you replying to this thread a year laterz??

HAHA!! And I agree with you Guo Xiang.

Yes I am, dear. But I must admit that I didn't notice the last posted date on some of the threads I replied to so I've been playing the part of a necromancer during my last visit. LOL