In Korea, wearing sunglasses on weekdays can send the wrong message

For most people in the West, grabbing a pair of sunglasses before heading out the door is as second nature as checking for keys or a phone. It is a purely functional habit, a quick, thoughtless shield against squinting and UV rays. However, on the bustling sidewalks of Seoul's business district in South Korea, wearing those same dark lenses can convey an unexpected message. Instead of merely blocking the sun, sunglasses can carry a different meaning, as reported by The Korea Herald on June 30, 2026.

Heatwaves strike

When summer temperatures soar across South Korea, the blinding midday sun creates an immediate, punishing need for ultraviolet protection. Sidewalks heat up, and office workers face the intense glare during their commutes and lunch breaks. Yet, despite the oppressive brightness, an ordinary walk through the area reveals a striking visual absence: almost no one is wearing sunglasses. "I was always the only one wearing them. Everyone else had a sun umbrella," Ella Mitchell, an Australian graphic designer, noted after moving there in 2023. 

Hidden eyes signal disrespect

As it turns out, the absence of dark lenses in professional settings stems directly from deeply rooted East Asian cultural psychology, which heavily links visible eyes with polite, respectful communication. In a corporate environment shaped by strict hierarchical traditions, looking a colleague or superior in the eye is vital for demonstrating sincerity and attentiveness. Blocking that view might get misinterpreted as hiding emotions, acting defensively, or showing blatant disrespect. 

Workplace taboos block fashion

Alternatively, another reason why people refrain from wearing sunglasses to work is that in these spaces they are purely viewed as a loud fashion accessory reserved for weekend leisure in trendy districts or beach vacations. Wearing them during regular workdays or lunch runs creates the impression that an employee is trying to look overly stylish, bringing unwanted scrutiny and looks from the senior staff. That said, there's no denying that people in South Korea need to protect themselves from the sun; here's where the parasol comes in. 

Parasol reigns supreme

To shield themselves from the sun without breaking corporate etiquette, workers have collectively pivoted to parasols as the alternative sun-blocking gear. So much so that their sales have exploded in the region. Carrying one allows employees to easily lower their physical temperature during workdays while completely maintaining appropriate workplace boundaries. Nonetheless, as good as a parasol is, it cannot provide elite-level protection to the eyes. In fact, medical experts warn that while eyes might feel less sensitive than the skin, they are equally vulnerable to long-term ultraviolet damage and cataracts. 

Sunglasses market increasing

It seems like the Koreans are listening to the medical experts and do value their eyes, as their sunglasses market was at approximately $767.6 million back in 2024. This is a number that is only going to grow, with the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for the next decade estimated to be around 7.13%, according to Spherical Insights. This means that over the next decade or so, the country's sunglasses market will be worth over $1,637 million, indicating steady growth. 

Different experiences

While the sunglasses market is expected to grow, people share their own bizarre experiences while wearing sunglasses in Korea in the comments section of a Reddit post by u/Detective_Bitter. There, u/FreyAlster noted, "It’s associated with traveling to other countries or something like that. A few years ago I was with my ex Korean girlfriend in Gimpo in summer, I put my sunglasses on since there was a lot of sun, and she got annoyed, pressuring me to remove them because it’s weird to wear sunglasses when you’re not traveling. I also bought cool sunglasses as a gift to my wife, and while she likes them, she only wears them when we go traveling."

Meanwhile, u/bulldosm revealed, "Historically, sunglasses were considered socially off, like you're hiding something or that you were putting on airs, as in you're too good to show your face. So the short story is that sunglasses have historical social messages. The funny part is, they all carry sunglasses for when they're out of the country lol."

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