Do Foreigners Have to Be Fashionable in Korea?

[@necrochan7620]

I had a Korean math teacher in college and he always use to come in class dressed like he was about to go to a dinner party after teaching. He looked on point EVERY DAMN TIME.

[@amartellacci9594]

The funny thing is when Korean students come to Canada (I live in a 2 university town), the first thing they do is ditch the makeup and high maintenance clothes. Can't say I blame them. It sounds like I'd go insane trying to keep up in Korea. If I have to spend more than ten minutes getting ready in the morning to fit in, I ain't gonna fit in. I just ain't. I am okay with this.

[@remyaradhakrishnan1738]

I love Martina's eye colour!!

[@AliceMachella]

Actually yea, ever since I've been getting into Korean culture, I've been more girly.

[@ingmarfris8223]

Adorable.

[@laurenfobes8855]

You too?!

[@Chickenputa]

same here

[@flashingneongreen]

Alice Machella I actually use lipstick and eye liner now :O

[@veryslayverynice2526]

Me too!I'm starting to take way too long to choose clothes.I used to just put on whatever i found first.I've changed *sobs*

[@iloveseattle123]

martina is so adorable i just want to hug her lol

[@lisaradgirl]

I just found your channels not too long ago and I like the new ones so much that I have been going back and trying to watch all the old ones also. The changes in you guys (appearance and other wise) was surprising! But I just wanted to thank you for this video and the other video about how you both moved from teaching to full time you tube. It explained a lot and just makes me like your videos even more!

[@John-sx7ju]

The moment you realize "Simon and Martina" abbreviates "S&M" 😂

[@jaquelynngering3586]

While fashion rules are different for foreigners somewhat, I also heard that one of the top complaints schools have about their foreign teachers is that they don't dress nice enough. So I really try to make an effort when I'm going to work. I try to pay attention to the clothes the female Korean teachers around my age are wearing and dress similarly. It doesn't really matter in the winter when you're wearing coats and scarves all the time, but in the summer I almost always wear dresses. They are cooler anyway!

[@ayPersonality]

I live in Europe and do and have always hated the typical feminine/girly style. But, as Martina says, ever since being exposed to the Korean culture, I actually suddenly felt like dressing up. Not for the people here where I live, but I like a society where everybody (BOTH men and women equally) cares for themselves, looks gorgeous, and aren't being over-sexualised for it like what America/Europe has come to regarding females.

[@GerthuyaRana]

V's Tongue p

[@orul8249]

Couldn't agree more 🙂

[@nateglab290]

THese videos are great. You guys should answer every question I have about everything, I feel more prepared for going to Korea than I have ever felt about anything ever.

[@NaruraHatake]

Martina, can we please have a video on makeup / how you became makeup knowledgeable? I actually used to be anti-makeup as well, as have lately been embracing my femininity. Thanks!

[@MissCaraMint]

Me too, then I was seduced by the pretty colors.

[@Izzyleen]

I really love your videos, been watching them the whole day! And I think both of you look really really great! Not that you haven't been looking good before but I think the diet makes you look so healthy and some kind of "athletic" like you're working out regularly!

[@l.satoru65]

I'm confused. You stated that some Koreans believe that being a foreigner is sorta liberal because we could dye our hair, and how Koreans explained that if they were to dyed their hair that they would be shunned from the Korean society. How come Kpop stars could dye their hair? What makes them different from a normal Korean?

[@MellowChellow3]

That's actually a really smart question, I would never have thought of it xD

[@MCBabii1992]

That's a good question but I think it's just like anywhere else. Or at least the US. For example, Miley Cyrus can wear whatever she wants, shave the sides of her head, Nicki Minaj can do whatever it is she's doing with her appearance and all that and people love them and look up to them (not everyone likes them but you know what I mean lol). If I were to change my appearance to look like them...wow I'm pretty sure in my town I'd probably get things thrown at me. People would avoid me (except for other people, like one or two other people, who shared my want to look that way). I would be shunned from the most of society and yet it's ok for the stars to look that way for some reason. I think it's just some kind of fantasy thing. They can look certain ways because they live a life that we (generalization) consider idealistic and perfect and so their styles can reflect whatever fantasy they want us to believe that they live and we accept it because it seems almost unreal. I think the same applies there. (Of course this is all based off of theory and generalization, none of this statement is factual. But it is just my thoughts on why that might be.)

[@TimeFliesGames]

They're probably famous for that very reason: they do the things other Koreans wish they could do. Just like here living the life of a rockstar/gangster/supermodel etc. isn't necessarily something you want to tell your mom about, but people still admire these things on TV and sure as hell find it all very exciting. Striking up controversies is how you get famous just about anywhere, and this kind of look is sort of controversial in Korea, so that's my theory behind it all.

[@MissCaraMint]

Because for a Kpop star It's kinda like a uniform or costume and therefore acceptable/expected.

[@almayena9455]

Altho kpop stars hav blonde or shocking hair color, the non famous koreans still judge u n look at u differently esp the ahjummas n ahjussi.

[@myzelleutube]

I've recently fouñd your channel, the ramen one with convince store additions, and I've watched for two days now! I'm addicted, love you guys!!!!!!!

[@MariaFernandez-fj1iv]

I think you guys make a really cute couple! and there's loads of chemistry... I bet you are superstars in Korea. It's so hard to be one in the US.

[@josefienw]

as always, Im amazed at how well you articulate these things. I loveeee youu guyysss

[@BabyBat14]

Oh, here in Brazil it's really hard to be cute. I'm a gothic lolita, even though not all the time (lifestyle). But I always love to mix kawaii elements and gothic elements, or even some pastel goth inspirations (I don't like to label myself). But it's really hard to be stylish at all here! Right now there's being some sort of "modinha" (a behaviour or style that's constantly copied and it's popular between teenagers) on tomboys. The thing is that they're not tomboys for real, you know. They just do it for getting boys' attention, and they judge girls that are more feminine to be a jock or arrogant. It's so annoying! Any brazilian nasties going through the same?

[@7mychocolate]

i understand you 100%, but i wouldnt follow it if i were. I ignore the style in Brazil and go my own direction. i am late replying this xD

[@BabyBat14]

7mychocolate THIS! I ignore this whole shit in anyway. Know those cat ears that Fany wears in the IGAB MV? I wear my black ones on school and on the streets, AND I DON'T GIVE A FUCK. (Btw, my boyfriend loves this whole cutesy thing so I really don't care AT ALL XD)

[@incubusxdbsk]

I don't think in Brazil we have a standard or a trend of style... You can wear pretty much whatever you want and there will be some people who will like your style or not... Does not matter at all... Unless you go on "emo style", which here most people think it is ridiculous... As to the cute style... I do not think there is one... Here you are cute depending on your personality, not your looks... I think it is similiar to the whole America this subject... But in Europe people are more concerned about their looks...

[@mitchumsport]

thanks for that perspective, it's really interesting. I hadn't thought of the rural/urban dynamic, but it makes a lot of sense.

[@samyukgu369]

as a korean, i totally agree with them. we are trapped by ourselves.

[@karinadavis1353]

OMG totally in the same boat! PLEASE Martina and Simon PLEASE review this one love, a very big fan :)

[@sayachannie]

THE SPUDGY BIT AT THE END HAD MY HEART MELTING

[@RedWhite1992]

You guys are amazing. I'm so glad to have stumbled upon this.

[@momiji7789]

My friend and I live in the poor part of Auckland and we're used to seeing people look borderline homeless(dressing nice will get you robbed/harassed) You see us and you'll clutch your handbag a little tighter. Jk jk. But anyway, we went to study in Central Auckland. We saw every young Asian woman looking like they're about to go to a photoshoot and I felt like a failure of a young Asian woman. XD They looked so cute! Every day! They bother! And I felt insecurities I didn't know existed! (This is just me, not everyone reacted like this but yeah I developed a skill of putting on eyeliner in 50 seconds flat just to not feel completely ugly.) But everytime I went back to our hometown, I feel overdressed for even a smidge of makeup and I go back to my old bare face ways ahaha. I think that however you are as a person, you will adapt to the social norm. If let's say you moved to a city full of people who bother, you will eventually bother. For how long? dunno, hasnt ended for me yet. :O Depends where I am tbh.

[@BrinkersMad]

***** I get ya. I'm from auckland too. I don't overdress ir wear makeup but compared to the standards at uni its... haha

[@AlaCooper]

+momiji lover I've been there... I live in a nicer part of Auckland (not Parnell, I ain't that rich!!! Howick) but if I put in more of an effort, I get TONS of stares. So I have to downplay it a lot, which sucks.

[@Blintzchan]

I just wanted to say that you guys look great here! It looks like your diet/lifestyle-change is really paying off. I'm happy for you :D

[@crazygurlo]

Do you think you can do a session on asian American foreigners if you have enough info? Will they be treated different? Or the same because they are asian? What if they are on the heavier side, will they be accepted badly into the Korean society as well, or will they be treated like Caucasians?

[@debbie.c]

Yes! ! ^_^ please do a video on this topic~

[@sherlykarina2518]

Watch their video collab with jen!

[@debbie.c]

Sherly Karina jen who? Channel name please.

[@KaminariMori]

I love y'all! These videos make me wanna visit and live in Korea so much more now- I've been inspired! :)

[@NenaKeruvim]

Guys, lime its good for the smell in armpits and also stop sweating. You will need to re apply, depending of your needs.

[@amartellacci9594]

+Nena Keruvim The salt stick deodorant is really good too. It doesn't stop you sweating, but it keeps bacteria from colonizing and making a smell.

[@lotuslife4465]

I think you two are the best around :) seriously, I love every one your videos, they're funny, charming and instructional :) please keep being awesome

[@littletigress1974]

When I was younger I cut my hair extremely shirt, I was against make up, my mom tried to put make up on me and I'm like "NO, NO make up, and God forbid you try to put mascara on me!" But after I started watching Kpop videos and got really involved in their culture, I apply make up for the simplest things, now...

[@ginamunkacsy5175]

I'm planning on the samee for next summer! This would be an awesome video!~

[@CindyHedelin]

spudgy looks so sleepyyyyy

[@verlin93]

Simon and Martina are the Best ! So funny to watch all the time QwQ Hugs from Sweden

[@moonlightfairy91]

Hey, just a quick question, seeing as the main body type in most of asian countries is that of a small,petite frame, then are foreigners living in Korea able to get clothes that they fit in? And what about women with bustier chests? Can they find bra's that they can fit into?

[@Morgan-li8qy]

I love how Martina dresses she always looks on point

[@foreverawsomefreak1]

Yes but what happens if your a foreigner yet ur Asian

[@TimeFliesGames]

That's what I wanted to ask, since people can't tell at a glance that you're not Korean and even if you tell them, there won't be that obvious difference between you and others.

[@JesusChrist-tf2ik]

TimeFly once they know your an asian american they treat you the same as any outsider because they look at you like you abandoned your country and tradition

[@hangthanh9534]

then they think you are a Korean. True story I mean if you are East Asian

[@ac4842]

@@hangthanh9534 Exclude south east asians like viets, they look distinctively from Koreans

[@NotYoBusiness927]

That is a good question!! I'm not Asian but that is interesting to know!

[@LeeJCander]

A SHAZAM SHIRT!?....Captain Marvel!

[@elsaa9631]

Yeahuh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@beefbelly]

You guys are much more animated compared to your first videos. I love it.

[@DKsilverghost]

I've kind of had a similar experience to Martina. I've become a lot more feminine since I became interested in Korean culture (never wore makeup, always wearing baggy t-shirt and pants). Here in the weat I think there's too much of an association of femininity with things like being insecure and weak which is pretty silly.

[@amartellacci9594]

+Maria Actually, it isn't silly at all. It's pure logic. If you are wearing high shoes, you can't participate in a lot of things (running, jumping, being comfortable for even a second...). If you are wearing a dress, there is a lot of stuff you aren't going to be doing that day (hopping fences, running, bending, sitting comfortably...). If your nails are done, you're going to be worried about chipping them. With a full face on and your hair done you have to avoid wind and rain. You are literally hobbling yourself. Spending over an hour of time that could be used on literally anything else to turn yourself into what you already are? That's pretty damned weak. Spending hours a day to make yourself nearly useless (turning yourself into a thing to be looked at; an object) is silly. Calling it "femininity" is downright insulting to your vagina. Femininity isn't clothing, makeup and hair. That stuff is removable. Femininity is an attitude and aspect inherent in a person. Thinking your clothes and makeup make you more feminine is weak and silly. Your identity runs much deeper than that... at least, it should. Wear whatever the fuck you want, but it doesn't make you anything but dressed. I'm so sick of women thinking that consumer products are what make them feminine. It's weak in the extreme and I resent having femininity hijacked by a bunch of prissy bitches with credit cards and a lack of self respect. I am just as feminine as any woman out there, and I do not intend to buy some extra femininity to slather on. It doesn't work that way. It's not that I think things associated with femininity are weak and insecure. I think that women who buy into the consumer culture of Femininity (tm) are stupider than a bag of hammers. What the heck is a reasonable person supposed to think about another human being who has physically made themselves useless for the day in a quest to be more of what they were already? You're already feminine. You might as well be useful while you're at it. Femininity ≠ Fashion

[@tmc6990]

+Alessandra Martellacci wow such a great comment 👍

[@1happypiranha]

I laughed so hard when watching this video! You guys are so funny! Awesome and informative video!🙂🇯🇵🇨🇦🇰🇷

[@mrzazzaable]

I was scouring some korean instagrams and man.. i got to about the 100th photo and every single one was a different outfit, outlandish colours, patterns, skinny long legs with v taper bodies. Those koreans got good damn proportions. As a white man its sad, im depressed i cant ever pull that look off. Yeah i have muscles, i have a bit of fat, i have a beard and a slightly bigger head. But we really never can pull off that sharp tight look, we just come off looking brutish (myself i look like jason statham in tight clothes)

[@MJ-jg4ei]

Just started watching your vids cus I'm going to Korea tomorrow...very informative and lovely...but also..... OMG THAT DOG!

[@esta1185]

Actually I'm asking myself now, why or how Soo Zee "is allowed" to change her haircolour then. Is she just like "Oh, man, I don't care what society thinks about me?" or did this thinking changed?

[@majamyrvold1899]

I love your style Martina! I wish I could pull it off...

[@Offensive_Username]

We are not a PG audience. Off with the clothes! BOTH OF YOU.

[@CrimsonFountainofYou]

I can't even handle you guys. You make me laugh so much and educate me about a country I'm very interested in . . . Like seriously, my dad just came in to make sure I wasn't dying cause I was laughing so much. Thanks!!!

[@levyroth]

if Simon is too big for that country, then (189 cm, 150Kg, 3XL dude) I'm a mutant freak giant!

[@bldomain]

Simon is 194 cm

[@mtdoublem]

THANKS! DUDE, i seriously think your teaching degree helps you make even better vids!

[@jadejimenezschrodingerskitten]

It's so miracle, what a wonderful change. Omg best thing ever!

[@lovelykwill]

i LOVE you makeup martina!!

[@JBbeautique]

I agree, I'm from belgium too, but I also think it also depends on which school you go to, like where I live you can tell wich school you go to just by looking to their clothes and stuff..

[@pagemcnally]

You two are adorable!

[@AnnerzDrum]

I love Martina's makeup have you ever done a video tutorial?

[@blackdragonwingz]

Do a video tutorial of how you do your eyes! They look awesome all the time!

[@lorenaolivas1]

omg the dog is sooo cute!

[@usagifelton]

You guys seem really excited for Mexican food, do they have food from other cultures in Korea? (Ie. American BBQ, Mexican, Itallian, etc.)

[@megu-chan8300]

OK, simonandmartina, this isn't any particular questions about Korea but I was just really eager to know about this since I have been subscribed to you guise probably about a month now and since you guise are married and all! Could you plz show a video of your wedding or a photo of your wedding ceremony, etc...? Because I really want to see how Martina looks like in a wedding dress and Simon in a suits!

[@Rincut2601]

I heard that too.. from my experience (very short trip to Seoul), the younger one (teenager) seems doesn't want to have anything to do with us (I'm Asian), they gesture X with their hands and didn't even try to read our body language. But some people especially the older one very nice, even if they're not speaking English, they listen to our keyword and try their best to help us. We were twice escort to the bus stop because they knew what we asked but can't speak the answer ^^

[@marc19840]

i hadn't watched their videos in a while, now i see simon and martina are fitter and thinner and i rememberes they said they had begun exercising. i¿d love to see your exercising routine

[@blackdragonwingz]

yeah, found it almost 5min after I posted the question :) thanks for answering though!

[@Parrish234]

I can totally relate to having to go home and buy clothes. Each time I return to the US, I do the same as Simon and take home the suitcases. Nothing fits me here because I am tall and broad shouldered.

[@yds00418]

I love your videos. I am Korean and hearing your thoughts about Korean culture makes me crack up :p

[@phantomphiddler5]

Lol the little flying pic of ouran at the end!! So cute! XD

[@MsSpecialkei]

I love Martina's Capt. Marvel shirt is awesome!

[@NatalieVanAwesome]

Martina, I've been in the same sort of situation. I'm a white girl with brown hair, blue eyes. I went to El Salvador (CA) for a few weeks. During my stay there I didn't see one other caucasian person other than those I was with. I was the tallest person out of both men and women everywhere I went. And I had never been more complimented or doted on in my life. It's a flattering experience! I know myself that I for sure am not model material, but by the end of my stay I'd the feeling that I was!

[@lightlylani]

Thank you so much for this video! :)

[@allbecauseican]

I have the same question! I'm studying abroad in Korea this coming spring.

[@iluvbunniesful]

yes I second that to help for my future too!!!!

[@LornaBlakeEmpower]

I agree with your comments. There's no pressure for foreigners to dress to fit in. I also agree with you Martina. Here in Korea I've always received the most extraordinary compliments. A boost for my self-esteem. And I've become more feminine, wearing dresses and trying beautiful accessories that I never tried in Canada. Korea's been helpful to my growth.

[@145cutie1]

You guys are the cutest couple ever!!! I have one question for you guys how did you meet each other and how did you know you wanted to spend the rest of your life together??

[@Namite0001]

I can kind of answer your question. I'm Korean and I went to Japan as an exchange student. First, I wasn't exactly accepted quite as enthusiastically as my other friends (the other students loved them). Secondly, I was mistaken as a Japanese quite frequently (and it didn't help that my Japanese was actually really good). Finally, I did feel that kind of awkwardness between me and the other students. I got over it eventually, but it was a little difficult to interact with them. Hope this helped^^

[@daysnseoul115]

this was SO helpful! I am planning on going to Korea this summer, so I have been worrying about being fashionable and stylish in order to fit in style wise... but recently I have been spending too much.. even if it's alllll clearance.... IM BROKE! haha so really this gives me such a good feeling :) thanks guise!

[@InvisibleRen]

Nice explanation. I was wondering the same thing. I will dress cutely anyway, no matter what!

[@rachelcho]

I'm Korean-American. Born in Korea, both my parents Korean but raised in NY my whole life and I moved back to Korea in june and its my first time back ever. My friend & I are always conversating in english and we've actually been recieving alot of discrimination for speaking english in Korea especially cus we look Korean. Its really ridiculous and obviously not all Koreans are like this but just something I encountered.

[@empress4lyphe]

I'm glad to hear you say that :) I'm a black Jamaican and I think Korea is fascinating so I want to visit some day

[@fplanting]

OH How I love your videos! When my brain goes lunatic at night and its impossible to sleep your always there

[@ItssKimberlyy]

ugh you guys are so cute together!

[@_jeonjeonie]

Omg Martina's makeup is gorgeous here :D Please pull a tutorial of this on your Openthehappy channel! :D

[@KTRN52]

You guys make sooooo many references to "Team Girl Squad"...soooooo good!

[@ambermoon123]

Martina, you are so pretty!!

[@elizabethwolfe2464]

You guys are adorable

[@peaceofearth13]

Oh! Thanks! ^^

[@turquoise5672]

It's ok. Thank you for your answer. :)

[@ellebellgn]

To be honest, I can totally see how Simon and Martina became more fashionable after moving to Korea. Martina started wearing more makeup and both started to look better honestly

[@Bobateababy18]

Martina you SHAZAM tee is wonderful!

[@summer01212]

What a cute puppy!!!

[@ArielLM13]

I wish I knew where martina gets her accessories from. I like all the bright colors.

[@4everdancer18]

i'm also interested in this too. recently, there were several korean teachers that came to visit my school to observe our curriculum and such. im chinese american and i was born and raised in the usa, but for some reason the korean teachers automatically assumed i was a korean immigrant.....

[@cindylovesclothes]

Can you guys do a trend video once a season? I'm curious about fashion in Korea. Thanks :)

[@Bludfeathr]

Thank You!

[@simplysweetk]

yes you right i think :D kekeke because i mostly say china's language and hong kong's language also most of the time!! to separate mandarin and cantonese!!

[@adriana12995]

Martina doesn't pluck her eyebrows and they look so perfect!!

[@TBSammy182SxE]

Simon that shirt really suits you, Martina you look beautiful as always.

[@jiyoungie412]

martina! i love your bandanas! where can i get them? thanks~

[@CottonCandrea]

It was the same for me while living in Japan... I got sucked into the fashion and makeup but it was also more accessible because everyone in the big cities dress so nice. But I also found myself getting into more feminine things that I didn't like before because of that too. But I have facial piercings and shaved/dyed hair so I was able to keep it my style too. I got lots of compliments and lots of stares.

[@snoobinzzz]

You're young. You have plenty of time to figure it out!! I'm 22 and I'm still figuring out my look....basically replaced everything I wore in high school....haha (also, it's super fun to look at pictures of what you wore when you were little....oh the 90s....haha)

[@keyboardwrangler2256]

Binge watching you guys...again :)

[@TheSilverMoonFly]

its very similar to japan - that foreigners always have the foreigner status attached to them. at first i hated that so much but then i realized that's how the society is and you just got to accept that. i'm glad that you guys are talking about what i realized also (:

[@fanchick775]

Hola Simon y Martina. I hope you guys had a good time in Mexico! Anyway I have a question regarding Hispanics/Latinos in Korea, like what are Koreans perception of us and are there many Hispanics in Korea? Also you mentioned being totally stoked on eating Mexican food so I'm wondering are there no Mexican restaurants in Korea? Muchas Gracias

[@joeywowo212]

Guuuurl you're not alone! LOL..I'm half indian, born and raised in Singapore and even i grew up thinking the same thing