Elders make me feel uncomfortable-why do they do this?

You're not imagining the intensity of it, and it's worse for you because you're gyopo. There's this weird layer where older Koreans see a Korean face that doesn't fully follow their rules, and they take it almost personally, like you should know better. With foreigners they sometimes give a pass because "they don't know any better," but you don't get that excuse.

One thing that helped my cousin who moved back was leaning into the "I'm just a foreigner" card when they glare. If they make eye contact, you can tilt your head slightly and give a confused little smile, like you're not sure what they want. They can't scold you properly if you act like you don't catch the subtext, and it's way less exhausting than staring back aggressively.

Also, timing matters. If you're walking during the 3 to 5pm window when ajummas are out doing their errands, you'll get way more of it. Early morning or lunchtime in business districts, the crowd is different and nobody cares what you wear. You're not going to beat the heat in long pants, so maybe just pick your routes and hours a bit, and the daily grind of it will ease off.

arrow_drop_up 3 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

yeah that glary stare thing is real, they do it to anyone who breaks the mold, not just gyopos with tattoos. my korean friend has a small one on her ankle and her own grandma side-eyed her for a month straight. it's a generational thing, they grew up where standing out could literally get you in trouble, so they see it as their duty to "correct" you.

honestly the best trick i've learned is to just stare back with a blank face until they look away. not aggressive, just neutral. they're not used to that, it short circuits the whole shaming ritual. also if you're in a busier area like hongdae or itaewon, nobody gives a damn, but the second you're in a neighborhood with more older residents, the audience changes.

and no, you don't need to cover up. i wore shorts all last summer with a visible forearm tattoo and the only people who said anything were drunk guys at 2am, and those are easy to ignore. the heat is brutal, don't suffer for strangers who'll forget you in five minutes.

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

It's not about your tattoos specifically, it's about them seeing something that breaks their idea of "proper" order. Older Koreans grew up in a culture where conformity was survival, and pointing out difference is their way of reinforcing that, not necessarily a personal attack on you. You'll see them do it to anyone who stands out, whether it's dyed hair, ripped jeans, or even a foreigner speaking Korean too well.

You don't need to cover up. I've lived here for years and have a full sleeve, and honestly, the stares fade once you stop reacting. If you make eye contact and just give a neutral nod or a slight smile, it throws them off because they expect you to look away in shame. It takes a while, but eventually you'll find yourself ignoring the ajummas in the subway who click their tongues at everything.

If you really want a break from it, try walking in areas like Hannam or Seongsu where younger crowds and expats mix, people are more used to visible tattoos there. But don't change your wardrobe for people who'll find something else to glare at anyway. Wear the shorts, it's too hot to suffer for strangers.

arrow_drop_up 1 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

the whispering thing is real but its not about the sauce lol. that guy runs a 2am handoff with the chicken supplier, they drop off fresh birds from a farm near Chuncheon three times a week instead of using the frozen stuff most hongdae spots rely on. thats why the texture hits different, not the sauce itself. if u go back ask for the neck & wing combo off menu, its cheaper & honestly the best cut they do

arrow_drop_up 24 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

the thing nobody mentions is that Dogdogdog's sauce gets its body from cheong, the Korean rice syrup, not sugar. thats why it coats the wing so thick and stays glossy instead of going sticky. i asked a guy who worked there and he said they also add a splash of maesil (plum) extract at the end off the heat. that fruity tang under the garlic is what you're tasting. go on a weekday before 6, weekends the wait hits 40 min easy.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

honestly the "secret sauce" thing is prob just marketing. every fried chicken place in Seoul has a version of that story. the real difference at Dogdogdog is they double fry in rice bran oil and toss the wings in the sauce twice, once right out of the fryer and again after a 30 sec rest. thats where the crunch comes from, not some mystery ingredient. if u wanna taste the actual base, order the banban half plain half spicy and dip the plain one in the spicy sauce yourself.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply