Negative experience with Salon Owner Seunghee Si: complete disregard for boundaries…read more
1. Repeatedly Disrespectful Addressing
From my very first visit, despite being a complete stranger, the owner kept calling me "Okkyung-ah" (using informal Korean) just because my name is the same as one of her friends. I am a paying customer with no personal relationship, and I never agreed to or permitted this. Yet, this behavior repeated during every visit. FYI, I already have a designated hairstylist (not the owner, aka the oldest female stylist), so there's absolutely no reason for the owner to interfere or touch me.
During my appointment on February 21, 2026, at 10 AM, while I was speaking with my assigned stylist, the owner interrupted and again called me informally, asking "Okkyung, how have you been?" and justified it the same way as before: my name being the same as her friend's. In Korean culture, this is considered extremely rude.
After the service, I politely and clearly requested, "Please don't call me like a friend, call me 'Okkyung-ssi' instead." This was a basic boundary request regarding respectful address. The owner attempted to justify ignoring it with references to local culture or personal reasons. I did not observe her using this informal address with any other customers.
2. Lack of Professionalism & Outdated Styling
When I first visited, my assigned stylist was unavailable, so I received a short-volume perm ("volume magic") from the owner, who was the least busy at the time. I specifically requested some layers and volume to be added to my short haircut. She ignored my instructions and performed a standard straight perm. I had to endure several months of flat, lifeless hair. This clearly shows a lack of professionalism and disregard for customer preferences.
3. Excessive Physical Contact
The more serious issue is unwanted physical contact. During an apology for the repeated informal addressing, the owner tried to hug me. I immediately stated, "I do not consent to physical contact," but she attempted to touch me again. Repeated physical contact after a clear refusal is a violation of personal boundaries.
On a previous visit, during chemical application, the owner intervened, causing the chemicals to spill onto my clothes. Despite me repeatedly saying I could handle it myself, she physically touched my upper body and chest to "help" clean it. This was extremely uncomfortable.
In the service industry, respecting a customer's boundaries and consent is fundamental. Repeated unwanted physical contact and disrespectful addressing are not minor issues.
While I am satisfied with the skills of the assigned stylist (Joy), the owner's constant interference and behavior make every visit uncomfortable. The same stylist had no such issues at a previous salon.
4. Discriminatory Treatment Based on Korean Language Ability
From my observation, the owner treats customers differently based on whether they can speak Korean. Customers who can speak Korean are subjected to rudeness, unnecessary chatter, and forced friendliness, whereas customers who cannot speak Korean receive only the necessary service. This is clearly discriminatory behavior toward certain customers.
Recommendation: I do not recommend this salon for customers who speak Korean, and especially do not recommend receiving services from Owner Seunghee Si.
