What's Considered Beautiful in Korea? 20 Surprising Beauty Standards You Must Tick Off
What's Considered Beautiful in Korea? 20 Surprising Beauty Standards You Must Tick Off
The Korean Ideal
Korean beauty standards can look extremely detailed from the outside, because they’re often talked about in everyday ways: in makeup tutorials, clinic ads, and even casual compliments. Some of these preferences are rooted in trends from K-pop and K-dramas, while others come from long-running ideas about looking youthful, polished, and “clean.” You don’t have to agree with any of them, considering how absurd some of them may be, but knowing what gets praised might help you better understand why certain looks dominate Korean beauty content. From the V-line jaw to aegyosal and everything in between, here are 20 surprising Korean beauty standards.
1. The V-Line Jaw
In Korea, a slim, tapered jaw is often treated like the default “pretty” face shape. The goal is a chin that looks neat and narrow, with a softly defined jaw rather than anything wide or square. If you watch transformation videos, you’ll notice how often the V-line is the final “before and after” focus.
2. A Small, Youthful Face
A “small face” is a real compliment, and it’s often compared to the size of a fist in casual beauty talk. Instead of prominent cheekbones or hollow cheeks, a smooth, slightly fuller look reads younger and more desirable. You’ll also see a strong preference for minimizing smile lines and wrinkles, even when the rest of the makeup is understated.
3. Slim, Toned, and Generally Fit
For women, the ideal body is usually described as slim and elegant; for men, broad shoulders and a toned body are favored. People tend to admire visible effort, like a firm waist, defined arms, or overall tightness in shape. It’s common for outfits and photo poses to highlight a clean, fit silhouette rather than overly dramatic curves.
4. Pale Skin
Fair skin has long been favored, and it still shows up everywhere from foundation shades to sunscreen marketing. Many people aim for an even, bright tone rather than a bronzed or sun-kissed look. If you’re in Korea, you’ll notice how normal it is to carry UV protection seriously year-round.
5. A Neat, Even Hairline
The hairline gets a surprising amount of attention, especially when it affects how the forehead looks in photos. A smooth, symmetrical hairline can make the face look smaller and more balanced, which ties into a lot of other ideals. That’s why hairline shading products and cosmetic fixes are talked about so openly.
6. Aegyosal
Aegyosal refers to the small, soft under-eye fullness that shows when you smile. It’s seen as cute and youthful, and it can make the eyes look bigger without heavy shadow. Makeup techniques for this are extremely common (you can even buy dedicated 2-in-1 products!), and some people also pursue more permanent options.
7. A Short Midface
The midface is the space between your eyes and the upper lip, and a shorter one is often considered more youthful. This is why makeup placement in Korea can look very strategic, especially around blush and contour. Even hairstyle choices like bangs can be used to visually shift those proportions.
8. Glass Skin That Looks Clear and Smooth Up Close
“Glass skin” is about clarity and hydration, not shimmer or sparkle. The surface is meant to look even, blemish-free, and almost poreless, like the skin is well cared for rather than heavily covered. You’ll often see people prioritize skincare steps over thick foundation to get that finish.
9. Light, Soft Brows
Brows are usually kept straight or gently rounded, with a lighter, softer color than you might expect. That muted look can make the face feel more open and less intense, especially in close-up photos. If you’re used to sharp, angled definition, Korean brow trends can feel surprisingly restrained.
10. Double Eyelids
Double eyelids are widely praised because they can make the eye area look larger and more defined. You’ll see lots of styling that emphasizes lid space, including subtle liner and carefully placed shimmer. While plenty of people have monolids and look amazing, the “double lid” ideal remains very visible in mainstream beauty.
11. “90-Degree” Shoulders
This might sound oddly specific, but straight, 90-degree shoulders are often framed as elegant and well-proportioned. This preference shows up in the idol world (think BLACKPINK's Jennie, for example) and fashion styling, since structured tops and off-shoulder looks highlight that shape. People even talk about posture like it’s part of beauty, not just fitness.
12. Plump, Glossy Heart-Shaped Lips
Lips are often styled to look soft and full, with a defined cupid’s bow that reads sweet rather than dramatic. A pink, glossy pout is popular because it looks fresh and well cared for. You’ll notice that many lip looks focus on a blurred edge or gentle gradient rather than a harsh outline.
13. A Smooth Face with No Facial Hair
For men, facial hair is often viewed as distracting from a clean, polished look. That’s why shaving, grooming, and hair removal are treated as normal parts of basic upkeep. In beauty content, a smooth jawline tends to be associated with looking tidier and more refined.
14. Minimal or No Body Hair
Body hair removal is common, and it’s often framed as hygiene or “cleanliness,” not just style. Smooth skin is especially emphasized in summer fashion and swimwear content. Even when people don’t talk about it directly, the visual standard shows up constantly.
David Lago Rodríguez on Pexels
15. Ears That Peek Forward
Protruding ears, where they’re visible from the front when hair is tucked back, are surprisingly valued by some people. It’s seen as a detail that makes the face look more open and “photo-ready.” There are even cosmetic options people discuss for making ears sit more forward and noticeable.
16. The “No-Makeup” Makeup Look
A natural look is popular, but it’s usually a carefully built kind of natural. Base makeup tends to be thin and brightening, with soft color on the cheeks and lips rather than heavy contour. Lash extensions are common because they look effortless, while very dark mascara can read too intense for this style.
17. Slim Calves
Thin legs are often praised, and calves are a specific fixation in a lot of body-focused trends. Some people use targeted workouts to change how the lower leg looks, while others talk about cosmetic options like calf Botox to reduce muscle size over time. The aesthetic usually aims for a straight, delicate line rather than strong definition.
18. Button-Like Nose with a High Bridge
A small, slightly pointed tip paired with a taller nose bridge is frequently treated as ideal. Makeup often tries to create this effect with highlight and subtle shading, even when the rest of the face stays soft. In photos, that profile detail is one of the first things people point out as “pretty.”
19. “Apple Hips” and an Athletic Behind
The favored bum shape is often described as toned and lifted rather than big. A round, firm look suggests you work out, but the overall silhouette is still expected to stay compact. Glute-focused workouts are popular partly because they promise that balance.
20. Elegant, Clean Styling
Beauty in Korea often includes looking put-together in a way that feels controlled and intentional. Neon hair colors, extreme cuts, or chaotic outfits can be seen as niche or idol-coded rather than everyday “pretty.” If you want to blend in with mainstream tastes, simple hair, neat makeup, and polished outfits usually get the most approval.
