IN THE BARBER CHAIR KIM SEUNG RAE

THANK YOU FOR AGREEING TO SIT IN THE WORLD BARBER CHAIR, NOT ALL OUR READERS WILL KNOW WHO YOU ARE, CAN YOU PLEASE TELL US YOUR NAME , HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A BARBER AND WHERE DO YOU CUT HAIR?

Hello, nice to meet you all. I am Kim Seung-rae (@ibalsa SR), who runs KENKO Barbershop in Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea, called the "Street of Youth." I've been working as a barber for seven years.To briefly explain myself and my shop, I like old culture, old items, old photos, I love traditional barbershop culture, and I'm trying to succeed the traditional barbershop industry and promote the culture. The direction of my KENKO Barbershop is ‘Old school' Barber Haircuts, and we use traditional haircut technology to do various men's haircuts.

FIRST OF ALL, HOWS THE WEATHER OVER THERE?

The current weather in Korea is gradually disappearing from the cold and turning into spring weather. It's still cold at night, but it's a good weather to be active outside during the day. It's always a good day for a haircut.

SO WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN THIS AMAZING INDUSTRY?

I started to get interested in barbering when I was young at my local barber shop where I got my hair cut with my father. I remember I really liked the hair cut and foam shaving that I received at that time it felt so felt good. The barber who was in charge of my hairstyle looked so gentlemanly and cool. In that part, I became very fond of the idea of barbering. I thought it would be meaningful and make me proud to play the role that makes customers look and feel amazing after visit .

EDUCATION? HOW DID YOU LEARN BARBERING. WHERE DID YOU LEARN AND HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU?

I wanted to be a barber so much that I went around traditional barbershops and got advice. The seniors willingly gave me sincere advice and technical know-how. I went to an old traditional barber academy and tried to become a barber by learning the traditional barber skills of my seniors. It took a little over a year to cut it to some extent, but I still don't think the technology part is perfect. I think haircuts will studied for the rest of my life. I think it's just near perfection.You should always practise your craft with a learning attitude.

COULD YOU GIVE US A RUN DOWN OF WHAT TOOLS YOU USE? DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE BRANDS?

Clipper has used many brands, but mostly uses Magic Clip (Cordless) under the 'WAHL' brand, T-Blade (Cordless) under the 'ANDIS' brand, and CL-7000KS under the 'HiMAX' brand. I enjoy using it because it fits my hand the best and I can express it as I want.

I like to use several clippers, so I mix them up when I cut my hair. I like to cut and express my hair using the advantages of each clipper.

I don't prefer a special brand for scissors. The scissors I use now are old ones that I used when I first learned how to cut my hair. I usually use it because it fits well with my hands and is comfortable.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE AND MOST REGULARLY USED CUTTING TECHNIQUES? DO YOU SPECIALISE IN ANY PARTICULAR STYLE?

I like "Scissor over comb" and Clipper over comb" personally, I like to Fade hair and regularly specialise in it. My signature haircut I'm pursuing is any haircut that has "Taper Fade" in it.

WHATS THE LATEST STYLE REQUIRED IN YOUR AREA AND HOW ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH THE LATEST TRENDS?

The current hair trend in the Korean barbershop industry has recently increased is the "Mullet Haircut." Haircuts such as Slick back, Executive Contour, Ivy League, and Long Trim are basic and cleanest, so they are the ones that customers usually look for.

DO YOU TEACH BARBERING? IS IT SOMETHING YOU’VE CONSIDERED?

I don't teach haircuts right now. I plan to teach haircuts for the development and correct direction of barber industry juniors by collecting and organising know-how I felt, saw, and learned and skills and information that can be helpful to juniors. As I have received sincere advice and know-how from seniors in the barber industry, I will generously distribute it to my juniors as I received it.

OK WE'VE HAD A REAL GOOD INSIGHT INTO YOU AS A BARBER BUT NOW WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU DO TO RELAX DURING YOUR FREE TIME?

In my free time, I personally watch a lot of old movies and look up a lot of old pictures to get inspiration. Through such old media, you can see and feel the old hairstyle indirectly. And there are old buildings in Korea everywhere. There are apartments built in the 1970s, and I go to see those old buildings. It's just my personal hobby. Also, my own plan is to find ways to help many people in need through my job as a barber. For example, I am thinking of a donation project event or competition that everyone can participate in