South Korean judge becomes internet sensation after showing up to court with curlers still in her hair
Many women found it humbling that one of the highest judges in the country does her own hair instead of hiring a stylist even on such an important day
When the judge who oversaw the ouster of South Korea’s president went to work Friday with two pink plastic hair rollers still attached to the back of her bobbed hair, the image, as is common in this hyper-connected society, went viral.
Many South Koreans chose to see acting Chief Justice Lee Jung-mi’s rushed arrival at the constitutional court ahead of one of the most highly watched rulings in recent South Korean history as a symbol of a hard-working woman who is dedicated to a demanding job.
The hair rollers, which the judge was apparently unaware of as she entered her office, topped the list of most searched keywords on South Korea’s most visited web portal at one point.
The moment was a point of reflection for working women in the Asian country. It is common here for comedy shows and pop culture to make harsh jokes about women’s appearances and mock their weight.
There appeared to be little of that on Friday, although some of Park’s ardent supporters shared Lee’s address online and the hair salon she has frequented.
Many saw the episode as a sign of Lee’s dedication to her work. She was photographed arriving three hours before the scheduled reading of the verdict.