How do I look?

Koreans are openly concerned about their appearance. the image of a korean checking their hair, face, makeup, or clothing is unnecessarily concealed by a private moment. it happens in the subway, class, or in a random shop window (surrogate mirror) on the street. They always want to look their best so they'll dress up: females in dresses, makeup, and high heals (even to traverse the rough roads of seoul), and males in buttonups, dress pants (sometimes a full suit). Appearence often parallels status (but this is the case in most places).

at home i think most of us are just as visually self-concerned. in fact, the person who casually denies the concern of their appearance ironically adheres to an aesthetic that aims to casually deny that they are concerned with their appearence. in other words, they are concerned about not looking concerned. the difference is that koreans are open about it and void of embarressment, while our vain upkeep lurks in the solitude of our minds and bathrooms. one's not better than the other; both are beauti-concious. all it means is that over here you can check yourself out publically.