Before you go: booking and the price list
Many Korean salons take bookings through Naver (네이버 예약, Neibeo yeyak), usually from the salon's page on Naver Map. You pick the service, the stylist and a time, and the listed price is shown before you book. Some salons also take bookings through KakaoTalk or by phone, and chain salons often accept walk-ins at quiet times.
- Prices can depend on the stylist. A salon's director (원장님, wonjangnim) usually costs more than a regular stylist (디자이너, dijaineo).
- Some salons ask for a deposit (예약금, yeyakgeum) when you book a perm or color. The booking page says so if they do.
- Write down the name of the service you booked. Saying it back at the desk saves a lot of explaining.
- There is no tipping. You pay at the front desk when you leave.
Explaining the cut you want
The stylist opens with a question you should recognize instantly. Answer in polite 요, yo, style; that is the normal register at a salon, whatever your age.
어떻게 해 드릴까요?
Reading: Eotteoke hae deurilkkayo?
Meaning: What would you like done today?
This is the stylist's opening question. You may also hear 오늘 어떻게 하실 거예요?, which means the same thing.
이 사진처럼 해 주실 수 있어요?
Reading: I sajincheoreom hae jusil su isseoyo?
Meaning: Could you do it like this photo?
Show the photo as you say it. Stylists in Korea are used to working from photos, and a picture explains a style faster than any description.
기장은 그대로 두고 끝만 다듬어 주세요.
Reading: Gijangeun geudaero dugo kkeunman dadeumeo juseyo.
Meaning: Keep the length and just trim the ends.
Salons say 기장 for hair length more often than the everyday word 길이. To trim is 다듬다; to cut properly is 자르다.
어깨 닿는 정도로 잘라 주세요.
Reading: Eokkae danneun jeongdoro jalla juseyo.
Meaning: Please cut it to about where it touches my shoulders.
Use body landmarks instead of inches: 턱선, teokseon, the jawline, or 쇄골, swaegol, the collarbone.
앞머리는 시스루뱅으로 해 주세요.
Reading: Ammeorineun siseurubaengeuro hae juseyo.
Meaning: I'd like see-through bangs, please.
Bangs are 앞머리. See-through bangs are light, wispy bangs you can see your forehead through, a very common style in Korea.
죄송한데 그게 어떤 스타일이에요?
Reading: Joesonghande geuge eotteon seutairieyo?
Meaning: Sorry, what kind of style is that?
Your repair phrase. Use it whenever the stylist names a style you don't know; they will usually pull up a photo.
Perm and color words on a Korean salon menu
Some menu words are English loanwords with a specific meaning in Korea, and others are Korean words you'll see on every price list. These are the ones that come up most.
- C컬펌, ssi-keolpeom: a perm that curls just the ends inward, like the letter C. A soft, natural look for medium hair.
- S컬펌, eseu-keolpeom: a wavier perm with S-shaped curls through the lengths.
- 볼륨매직, bollyummaejik: a straightening perm that keeps volume at the roots and turns the ends under. Popular for frizzy or wavy hair.
- 매직, maejik: a full straightening perm, flatter than volume magic.
- 다운펌, daunpeom: common for men; it presses short side hair flat so it doesn't stick out.
- 염색, yeomsaek: hair color. 뿌리 염색, ppuri yeomsaek, is a root touch-up.
- 탈색, talsaek: bleaching. Bright or pastel colors usually need it, sometimes more than once, and it is priced separately.
- 클리닉, keullinik: a hair treatment, often offered as an add-on after a perm or bleach. You can say 클리닉은 괜찮아요, no treatment, thanks.
Asking about perms, color and price
Ask about price before the stylist starts. With perms and color, the final price often depends on your hair length and how much product it needs.
C컬펌 하면 얼마예요?
Reading: Ssi-keolpeom hamyeon eolmayeyo?
Meaning: How much is it for a C-curl perm?
Swap in any service name: 볼륨매직, 염색, 탈색.
기장 추가 비용 있어요?
Reading: Gijang chuga biyong isseoyo?
Meaning: Is there an extra charge for length?
Many salons add a fee for perms and color on longer hair, often listed as 기장 추가, sometimes in steps such as below the shoulders or below the chest. The booking page price may be for short hair only.
시술 전에 가격 먼저 알 수 있을까요?
Reading: Sisul jeone gagyeok meonjeo al su isseulkkayo?
Meaning: Could I know the price before you start?
Salons call any cut, perm or color a 시술, sisul, a service or treatment.
탈색 없이 염색만 할 수 있을까요?
Reading: Talsaek eopsi yeomsaengman hal su isseulkkayo?
Meaning: Can I get it colored without bleaching?
A useful question if you want a lighter shade but would rather avoid bleach damage and the extra cost.
The consultation, start to finish
A salon in Seoul. You booked a cut online and sit down with the stylist, who starts the consultation. Everyone speaks polite style.
Stylist
안녕하세요, 오늘 어떻게 해 드릴까요?
Reading: Annyeonghaseyo, oneul eotteoke hae deurilkkayo?
Meaning: Hello, what would you like done today?
You
커트하려고요. 혹시 이 사진처럼 될까요?
Reading: Keoteuharyeogoyo. Hoksi i sajincheoreom doelkkayo?
Meaning: I'd like a cut. Could it come out like this photo?
Stylist
네, 가능해요. 기장은 어느 정도로 할까요?
Reading: Ne, ganeunghaeyo. Gijangeun eoneu jeongdoro halkkayo?
Meaning: Yes, that's possible. About how long would you like it?
You
어깨 닿는 정도로 해 주세요. 너무 짧지 않게요.
Reading: Eokkae danneun jeongdoro hae juseyo. Neomu jjalji ankeyo.
Meaning: To about my shoulders, please. Not too short.
Stylist
앞머리도 내 드릴까요? 요즘 시스루뱅 많이들 하세요.
Reading: Ammeorido nae deurilkkayo? Yojeum siseurubaeng manideul haseyo.
Meaning: Shall I give you bangs too? A lot of people get see-through bangs these days.
You
죄송한데, '앞머리 낸다'는 게 무슨 뜻이에요?
Reading: Joesonghande, 'ammeori naenda'neun ge museun tteusieyo?
Meaning: Sorry, what do you mean by giving me bangs?
Stylist
앞머리를 새로 만들어 드린다는 거예요. 눈썹 정도로 가볍게요.
Reading: Ammeorireul saero mandeureo deurindaneun geoyeyo. Nunsseop jeongdoro gabyeopgeyo.
Meaning: It means cutting new bangs for you. Light ones, to about your eyebrows.
You
아, 좋아요. 그렇게 해 주세요.
Reading: A, joayo. Geureoke hae juseyo.
Meaning: Oh, sounds good. Let's do that.
Stylist
네, 그럼 샴푸 먼저 해 드릴게요. 이쪽으로 오세요.
Reading: Ne, geureom syampu meonjeo hae deurilgeyo. Ijjogeuro oseyo.
Meaning: Great, then let's start with a shampoo. This way, please.
The audio uses the AI voice you hear in ChitterChatter conversations.
From a real practice session
Our team ran this situation in ChitterChatter using the description in the practice section below. A synthetic voice spoke the learner's lines; the AI character's replies and the feedback are what ChitterChatter produced. Here are the first lines of the conversation, lightly trimmed.
Stylist
안녕하세요. 오늘은 어떤 스타일로 자르고 싶으세요?
Reading: Annyeonghaseyo. Oneureun eotteon seutaillo jareugo sipeuseyo?
Meaning: Hello. What kind of style would you like for your cut today?
You
안녕하세요! 저 이 사진처럼 하고 싶어요. 여기 보세요.
Reading: Annyeonghaseyo! Jeo i sajincheoreom hago sipeoyo. Yeogi boseyo.
Meaning: Hello! I'd like it like this photo. Take a look here.
Stylist
좋습니다, 사진처럼이라면 어떤 길이와 앞머리 느낌인지 궁금한데요. 어디까지 자르면 좋을까요?
Reading: Josseumnida, sajincheoreomiramyeon eotteon giriwa ammeori neukkiminji gunggeumhandeyo. Eodikkaji jareumyeon joeulkkayo?
Meaning: Great. If it's like the photo, I'm wondering what length and what kind of bangs you have in mind. How far should I cut?
You
어깨까지 자르고 싶어요. 너무 짧으면 안 돼요.
Reading: Eokkaekkaji jareugo sipeoyo. Neomu jjalbeumyeon an dwaeyo.
Meaning: I want it cut to my shoulders. It can't be too short.
Stylist
어깨에 닿는 정도면 아침에 관리하기 편할 거예요. 앞머리는 어떤 모양이 좋으신지요?
Reading: Eokkaee danneun jeongdomyeon achime gwallihagi pyeonhal geoyeyo. Ammeorineun eotteon moyangi joeusinjiyo?
Meaning: Shoulder length will be easy to manage in the mornings. What shape would you like for your bangs?
You
시스루 뱅 해 주세요. 너무 두껍지 않게요.
Reading: Siseuru baeng hae juseyo. Neomu dukkeopji ankeyo.
Meaning: Please do see-through bangs. Not too thick.
Stylist
네, 작은 커튼처럼 가볍게 만들어드릴게요. 평소 머리 묶으실 일도 있으신가요?
Reading: Ne, jageun keoteuncheoreom gabyeopge mandeureodeurilgeyo. Pyeongso meori mukkeusil ildo isseusingayo?
Meaning: Sure, I'll make them light, like little curtains. Do you usually tie your hair up?
You
네, 가끔 묶어요. 근데 제 머리 길이 아직도 롱헤어예요? 롱헤어 추가 요금 있어요?
Reading: Ne, gakkeum mukkeoyo. Geunde je meori giri ajikdo ronghe-eoyeyo? Ronghe-eo chuga yogeum isseoyo?
Meaning: Yes, I tie it up sometimes. But does my hair still count as long? Is there an extra charge for long hair?
Stylist
컷은 35,000원이 고정이고, 길이에 따른 추가 요금은 없어요. 혹시 샴푸하기 전에 두피 상태나 물 온도에 대해 말씀해 주실 수 있을까요?
Reading: Keoseun samman ocheon woni gojeongigo, girie ttareun chuga yogeumeun eopseoyo. Hoksi syampuhagi jeone dupi sangtaena mul ondoe daehae malsseumhae jusil su isseulkkayo?
Meaning: A cut is a flat 35,000 won, and there's no extra charge based on length. Before the shampoo, could you tell me about your scalp or the water temperature?
You
아, 네. 두피는 좀 민감해요. 물 온도는 너무 뜨거우면 안 돼요. 미지근한 물로 부탁해요.
Reading: A, ne. Dupineun jom mingamhaeyo. Mul ondoneun neomu tteugeoumyeon an dwaeyo. Mijigeunhan mullo butakaeyo.
Meaning: Oh, yes. My scalp is a bit sensitive. The water can't be too hot. Lukewarm water, please.
Stylist
알겠습니다, 미지근한 물에 살살 마사지할게요.
Reading: Algetseumnida, mijigeunhan mure salsal masajihalgeyo.
Meaning: Got it. I'll use lukewarm water and massage gently.
What the feedback pointed out
What the learner said
저 이 사진처럼 하고 싶어요.
A clearer way to say it
사진처럼 층을 내서 가볍게 해 주세요.
You pointed to the photo, but you didn't describe its features. Describe key features of the style, such as asking for light layers like in the photo.
What the learner said
시스루 뱅 해 주세요.
A clearer way to say it
앞머리를 가볍게 숱 쳐 주세요.
You used the right Korean salon term for the bangs you wanted. You can add texture details too, like asking the stylist to thin out your bangs lightly.
What the learner said
롱헤어 추가 요금 있어요?
A clearer way to say it
영양 추가 요금은 얼마예요?
You asked about pricing and extra charges naturally. You can ask about specific treatments the same way, such as how much a deep-conditioning add-on costs.
What happens at the shampoo sink
The questions come in a set order
An assistant often does the shampoo. Expect 물 온도 괜찮으세요?, Mul ondo gwaenchaneuseyo?, is the water temperature okay, and near the end 불편한 곳 없으세요?, Bulpyeonhan got eopseuseyo?, is anything uncomfortable. A 네, 괜찮아요, Ne, gwaenchanayo, answers both.
If the water is too hot or cold
Just say 조금 뜨거워요, Jogeum tteugeowoyo, it's a bit hot, or 조금 차가워요, Jogeum chagawoyo, it's a bit cold. Staff would much rather adjust than have you sit there uncomfortable.
The face cloth is normal
Many salons lay a light cloth or tissue over your face while you lie back, to keep water off. It is routine, not a sign anything is wrong.
Saying it looks good
At the end, the stylist will show you the back with a mirror and ask 어떠세요?, how is it. 마음에 들어요, Maeume deureoyo, means you like it. If you want a change, 여기만 조금 더 잘라 주세요, just a little more off here, is perfectly polite.
Practice the consultation out loud
The hard part of a salon visit is the opening consultation, when you have to explain length, bangs and price without freezing. Rehearse it out loud until it feels routine.
- Open Create with AI and paste the description below, or change the style to the one you actually want.
- Talk with the AI stylist out loud. It replies by voice in Korean, so you practice understanding the questions too.
- After the conversation, check which learning goals you covered and read the clearer way to say one of your lines. Ask the AI Coach about any suggestion you're unsure of.
- Run it again with a perm or color request, so you practice asking about the extra length fee.
Describe it like this when you create the activity
Korean, at a hair salon in Seoul. The AI plays a stylist doing the consultation before my cut. I need to show a reference photo, ask for shoulder-length hair with see-through bangs, ask whether there is an extra charge for long hair, and answer the shampoo questions. Beginner to intermediate level, polite speech.
Questions learners usually ask first
Do you tip at hair salons in Korea?
No. Tipping is not expected at Korean salons, and the price you agreed on is what you pay at the front desk. A warm 감사합니다 on the way out is enough.
What does 기장 추가, gijang chuga, mean on a Korean salon price list?
It is an extra charge for longer hair, usually on perms, straightening and color, because long hair takes more time and product. Salons often set it in steps by length, so the base price on the menu may only apply to short hair. Ask before the service starts if you are not sure.
How do I book a hair salon in Korea as a foreigner?
Many salons take bookings on Naver, from their page on Naver Map, where you choose the service, stylist and time. You usually need a Naver account to book that way. If you can't use it, calling, messaging the salon on KakaoTalk if it lists a channel, or walking in at a quiet time on a weekday all work at many salons.
What is the difference between a volume magic perm and a regular straight perm?
A regular straightening perm, 매직, makes hair flat and straight from root to tip. Volume magic, 볼륨매직, also straightens, but keeps lift at the roots and curves the ends slightly under, so it looks softer and fuller. Many people with frizzy or wavy hair choose volume magic for a natural look.