Curls in Korea: Confused, Complimented, and (Sometimes) Cautiously Touched

By: Gisselle Gonzalez

Let’s talk about the curls.

When I landed in Seoul, I didn’t expect my hair to become a topic of conversation. I mean, I’ve had these curls my whole life. They’re just... me. But apparently, my hair walked into the room before I did.

At church, Korean women often look at me with wide eyes, sometimes even gasping a little, and ask, “Did you curl it yourself?” or “Is it a perm?” And every time, I have to smile and say, “Nope, this is all natural.” Cue the shocked expressions. It’s honestly kind of cute, and I know they mean well, but inside I’m thinking, Wow, my hair is living its best main character life over here.

The compliments? I’ll admit, they’re nice. Who doesn’t want to hear that their hair is pretty? But then comes the touching. Yes, the unsolicited touching. Imagine standing there having a casual conversation, and then… Poof… someone’s hand is in your hair like it’s a fluffy cloud at a museum exhibit.

Back in the U.S., this would be a serious no-no. We have whole unspoken rules about personal space and consent, especially when it comes to someone’s hair. But here in Korea, there’s a genuine curiosity, a kind of wonder at something that isn’t seen every day. I’ve had to remind myself they’re not being rude. They’re just fascinated. And maybe slightly unaware of how awkward it can feel to have your curls petted like a puppy.

What this whole experience has taught me is that sometimes, your hair can become a cultural ambassador. My curls have started conversations, sparked connections, and even helped break the ice in totally new spaces. Sure, I still gently dodge the occasional hand reaching for a curl, but I also laugh about it now.

Living in Korea has made me see my hair in a new way. It’s not just something I wake up and deal with anymore. It’s become a little piece of home, a reminder of who I am, and a surprisingly powerful way to connect across cultures, one curl at a time.

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