In South Korea, conversations with strangers traditionally begin by sharing one’s age, which helps determine the proper use of honorifics, an important aspect of Korean language, and shapes expectations around people’s roles in the relationship.

Once ages are shared, it’s very common — almost expected — to compliment how much younger someone looks. “You don’t look your age,” one might say, and the other person would return the compliment with “No, you look younger,” whether they truly mean it or not.

And if you think this would only apply to those who are in midlife or older, you’re mistaken. It extends to people in their 20s and 30s, and they still compliment one another for looking younger than their age.

Praise for a youthful appearance is universal, but in Korea, where conversations about age and appearance are more open and frequent, the standards become more specific and detailed.

When asked what makes someone look younger, many Koreans interviewed by The Korea Herald shared a variety of opinions. For example, while sun-kissed, glowing skin is considered youthful in the US, Koreans favor fair, flawless skin, which they refer to as “babylike skin.”

Despite the range of responses, the consensus seems to center around one key idea: embodying the features of a baby. “I think the lower part of the face shouldn’t stand out — having a small chin — like Blackpink Jennie,” said Han Youn-ji, 30.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2025