Why Men Wear T-Shirts On Beaches In South Korea

You've just arrived in Haeundae Beach in Busan, South Korea, and you're excited. The day is bright and warm, and Haeundae is widely considered one of the best beaches in Asia. You can't wait to splash in the shallow waters of the East Sea — what Koreans actually call the Sea of Japan and you're eager to sun yourself on the powdery sands. Busan is the quintessential coastal city, and you couldn't find a beachier destination in the whole peninsula.

But then you notice something: Most of the people are clothed. You spot some swimsuits, even a few bikinis, but almost everyone is wearing full-on shorts and tops. In fact, even the some of the men are covered in t-shirts. The way they're dressed, you might assume they might as well be at the supermarket or mowing the lawn. In so many other places, you would expect bikinis and bare torsos. But here, everyone is covered. Why is that?

This is actually pretty standard dress in South Korea. In general, South Koreans at the beach prefer to cover themselves more than folks in the U.S. or Europe. Partly, there is a general aversion to tanning, which isn't considered as attractive or desirable as it is in the West. This is also common in many parts of East Asia. In neighboring China, the increasingly popular "facekini" covers people's entire faces like a ski mask. But some assert that Koreans cover up simply out of modesty.

Why are Koreans generally conservative about exposed skin? An article in Korea JoongAng Daily ascribes it partially to Confucianism: "The ideology stressed the importance of looking neat and tidy according to social status." The article also describes a boom in "rash guards," the sportswear used by surfers. These breathable, quick-drying outfits cover the body but are also designed for effective swimming — and they can be somewhat more effective than just sunscreen since the protection doesn't wear off with swimming and exposure.

The South Korean hospitality company Engkor Stay adds in its own post that Koreans tend to frown on any man, in any public place, going shirtless, and they provide similar tips for women. This is just one of the minor cultural differences you'll have to get used to, such as bowing, sitting on the floor, avoiding physical contact with people you're not related to, and "pink seats" on South Korean subways, to name a few. Foreign men may get away with going topless — there's no law against it — but you should probably see what locals are doing to avoid lingering stares.

Another factor may be the short season. Winters are long and cold in this region, with gradual transitions in autumn and spring. South Koreans tend to think of "summer" as only July and August, which isn't a very big window for splashing in the sea, despite the country's 1,500 miles of coastline. If you're lucky enough to arrive in the warmest months, consider a stunning South Korean coastal road trip that Samantha Brown recommends.