Why Korean Students are Jealous of China’s ‘Ugly’ School Uniforms

The aesthetic value of Chinese school uniforms has long been the subject of debate among students and the public. In a 2015 survey run by Sina, a whopping 44.6% dismissed them as ugly, while 45.1% — just slightly higher — voted that good looks are really more about physical appearance than fashion, China Daily noted.

Still, some 10.3% thought they looked good, and in the hypothetical sense of counting the opinion of Korean students, this fraction may just be higher. Apparently, some Korean students are even envious of Chinese uniforms.

Koreaboo translated some comments of Korean netizens:

“Whoa it looks so comfortable.”

“When I was young, I used to live in China and I always wore the uniform shown in the last photo. The clothes are really warm in the winter and really cool in the summer. It’s really comfortable.”

“This looks perfect for me since I change into my P.E. uniform as soon as I get to school.”

“Wow I’m so envious, being comfortable is the best… Our school uniform was pretty but it was so uncomfortable to wear.”

Obviously, the looseness of Chinese uniforms provides more room for movement. Korean uniforms, on the other hand, are simply so stylish that they have gone out of the classroom to school-themed K-Dramas and the closets of K-Pop artists. And in case you still haven’t seen one, look no further:

“Boys Over Flowers,” aired by Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) in 2009, was set in prestigious private school.

After School, managed by Pledis Entertainment, debuted with a school concept in 2009 and has since established a graduation system for its members.

BTS in a school uniform concept photo

This is exactly why Chinese students, are reportedly jealous of their Korean counterparts.

Clearly, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If there’s any resolution to this, it must be the uniform that does not sacrifice comfort or style for the sake of the other.