The classic debate of “Height vs. Looks in Men” has resurfaced thanks to a viral Korean YouTube Shorts video, which cleverly blends humor with a sharp commentary on modern dating standards. The short yet impactful clip captures the attention of netizens by tackling the timeless question: What matters more when choosing a man — height or looks?
In the video, a woman is asked to choose between a tall man and a handsome man. With a cheeky smile, she responds, “A tall and handsome man,” dodging the question and subtly poking fun at society’s sky-high expectations for male attractiveness. Her witty answer highlights the often unrealistic standards placed on men’s appearance in the dating scene.
The video has since sparked widespread discussions, with netizens sharing their candid opinions. Popular comments shared under the post include firsthand experiences from people working in the fashion and nightlife industries, offering a glimpse into how appearance-based biases play out in real life:
“I used to work at a women’s fashion company, and most of the women there were way above average in looks. Guys under 175 cm didn’t even stand a chance. The girls working in ads and modeling wouldn’t glance at anyone under 170 cm. They’d just laugh. It’s not about fate — if a pretty girl is nice to you, it’s because she sees you as her human, not a partner.”
Another comment echoed similar sentiments from the nightlife scene:
“I worked at a hunting pub for four years. In reality, guys around 167 cm really get crushed. The difference between 185 cm and 167 cm is huge. In the end, it’s about face and body. Even Hwasa, who is 170 cm, isn’t particularly popular with guys. If you’re lacking in looks, people won’t even consider you.”
The viral video, along with these eye-opening comments, was shared on popular Korean online community Pann Nate, where it further fueled debates about beauty standards, gender expectations, and dating realities. While some users criticized the shallow mindset, others pointed out that societal preferences are deeply ingrained and hard to change.
- It should be something like 187 cm but really ugly vs. 160 cm but extremely handsome. ‘Average’ is too vague, lol.
- Calling 187 cm ‘average’ feels a bit vague.
- Even if I’m average, I prefer 187 cm. The overwhelming masculinity that comes with height is undeniable…
- The standard for ‘average’ is so vague, haha. If you randomly pick a guy off the street, 99% of the time you’ll pick the good-looking one for sure.
- An average face = a celebrity-level handsome face.
This discussion sheds light on the broader issue of how superficial standards — especially concerning height and looks in men — continue to influence dating culture in Korea and beyond.
