In India, a beard is more than a style statement — it’s identity. Across cities and small towns, men wear it like a badge of confidence, strength, and charisma. From Bollywood heroes to social-media influencers, the beard has become shorthand for masculinity and flair.

But travel a few thousand kilometres east to South Korea, and the story flips. There, most men are clean-shaven, their faces smooth and polished. Whether it’s in K-dramas, K-pop videos, or real life on the streets of Seoul, facial hair is almost invisible.

The contrast isn’t random. It’s shaped by biology, culture, beauty ideals, and professional expectations, all woven differently in the two societies.

The Science of Slow Growth

Korean men can grow facial hair, but not as thickly or quickly as men from South Asia or the

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