Can Koreans Have Curly Hair? Debunking the Myths and Truths

The Myth of Straight Hair in Koreans

Honestly, this is a question I hear a lot. It’s like this assumption that Koreans, or even East Asians in general, have only straight hair. And, I get it. If you look at the majority of Korean celebrities or the usual media images, you’ll mostly see sleek, straight locks. But let me tell you, that's not the full picture.

Well, Koreans can absolutely have curly hair. I know this because I’ve seen it. A lot. When I was in Seoul, I met this amazing girl with the most wild, curly hair I’d ever seen—certainly not what you’d expect. We had a long chat about it, and it turns out, curly hair exists in Korean families, even if it’s rare. It’s just that culturally, straight hair is much more prevalent.

Genetics and Curly Hair in Koreans

Now, let’s dig into the science of it, because we can't ignore genetics, right? The shape of your hair follicle determines whether you’ll have straight or curly hair. For Koreans, most people have rounder follicles, which results in straight hair. But! There are always exceptions. Some Koreans have oval-shaped follicles, which give their hair a curlier texture.

I’ve got a friend, Minji, whose hair is naturally wavy. She always jokes about how her hair’s a bit "rebellious" compared to most of her friends, who have super straight hair. But she still loves it. And guess what? She's not alone. There are plenty of Koreans with naturally curly or wavy hair, even if it's less common.

Can You Inherit Curly Hair in Korea?

Definitely. Curly hair can be passed down through generations, so if you’ve got curly hair in your family tree, it’s possible for you to have it too, even if most of your relatives sport straight hair. I mean, think about it—look at how diverse Korean genetics can be! Families mix, move, and sometimes, surprise us with traits we don’t expect.

The Role of Hair Care and Styling

Actually, curly hair in Korea might not always be fully embraced, mainly because of beauty standards. Straight hair has historically been the "ideal," which is why many Koreans with curly hair might straighten it or hide the texture with perms (yep, curly perms are a thing, but they’re often styled in a way that doesn’t let natural curls shine).

So, if you’re Korean with curly hair, it can sometimes feel like a hassle, because the beauty industry often promotes straight hair as the "norm." But let me tell you, curly hair can be gorgeous, and there’s been a shift toward embracing natural textures in recent years. Minji, for example, is all about using curl-enhancing products now, and she rocks it.

Can Koreans "Make" Curly Hair?

Let’s face it, we live in a world where, if you can’t have what you want, you can always make it happen, right? And that goes for hair too. There’s no shortage of options for Koreans who want curly hair. You’ve got perms, of course, which have been popular for decades, especially in Korean culture.

But, I should probably be real here for a second—perm results are not always what you expect. I tried getting a perm once (just a loose wave), and it was a disaster. My hair turned out frizzy instead of smooth, and honestly, I spent weeks trying to fix it. So, while perms can give you curly hair, it doesn’t always work out the way you’d like.

The Rise of Curl-Friendly Products

Honestly, in recent years, I’ve been so impressed by the variety of curl-friendly products popping up in Korean beauty stores. From curl creams to gels, they’re helping people embrace their natural texture, which is awesome.

Embracing Curly Hair in Korean Culture

Okay, so here’s the thing: while Korean beauty standards may have traditionally favored straight hair, there’s definitely been a shift. More and more Korean people are embracing their natural curls or waves, and it's honestly refreshing. Social media and K-pop idols with curly or wavy hair are showing younger generations that it’s okay to rock your natural hair.

Just the other day, I saw a K-pop idol with beautifully defined curls—something you wouldn’t have seen on a stage a few years ago. That’s progress! So, yes, Koreans can absolutely have curly hair, whether it's natural or the result of some hair care magic.

Conclusion: It’s All About Diversity

So, can Koreans have curly hair? Absolutely. While it's less common due to genetics, it’s far from impossible. And even if it’s not your natural texture, curly hair is becoming more embraced in Korea. I mean, why not? Curly hair is beautiful in all its forms—whether it's bouncy, wavy, or tight curls. It’s a unique trait that should be celebrated.

Honestly, the more I think about it, the more I feel like it's time for everyone to embrace their natural textures, whatever that may be. Whether you have straight hair or curls, it's what makes you, well, you.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.