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North Korea's Strict Hair Regulations: A Guide to the State-Sanctioned Haircuts

No Hair-Raising Choices for North Koreans

In the enigmatic realm of North Korea, even something as mundane as a haircut is subject to strict government control. The North Korean regime has meticulously crafted a guide of 28 state-approved hairstyles, dictating the permissible coiffures for its citizens.

Male Oscar Winners Beware

"It's Raining Bobs"

For North Korean women, the choices are somewhat limited, with only 18 hairstyles to choose from. The "bob" reigns supreme, with variations such as the "permanent wave bob" and the "layered bob" gracing the heads of North Korean women.

"Fade or Buzz: Take Your Pick"

Men, on the other hand, have a slightly narrower selection of 10 approved haircuts. Short and tidy is the order of the day, with fades, buzz cuts, and crew cuts dominating the male follicular landscape.

Salon Visits with a Political Twist

In Pyongyang, the Munsu Water Park houses a state-run salon where North Korean women can have their hair coiffed in accordance with the government's dictum. The salon's opening in 2019 was a testament to the importance placed on personal grooming in this secretive nation.

Haircuts as a Tool of Control

These stringent hair regulations serve as another instrument of control by the authoritarian regime. Citizens are not permitted to deviate from the prescribed hairstyles, reinforcing the government's pervasive influence over every aspect of daily life. North Korea's hair policy stands as a testament to the lengths to which dictatorships will go to maintain their grip on power.

Kim Jong-un's Hair-Brained Order

In a bizarre twist, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has issued a decree banning "unsocialist" hairstyles. The decree prohibits "mullets, mohawks, and other decadent Western influences" from adorning the heads of North Korean citizens. This hair-raising order underscores the regime's obsession with controlling even the most trivial aspects of personal expression.

As the world marvels at the glitz and glamour of the Oscars, it's a sobering reminder of the stark contrasts in personal freedoms that exist around the globe. For the Oscar-winning actors who graced the red carpet with their stylish locks, there's no doubt that a trip to a North Korean barber would offer a fascinating, if not hair-raising, experience.