Animal Face Types: How Koreans Describe Faces with Animals

In Korea, facial attributes are often playfully compared to animal features. We’ll share more about the animal face types and their characterising features.

Animal Face Types How Koreans Describe Faces with Animals

Describing a person’s appearance would often involve detailing each feature according to its size, sharpness, and roundness. In Korea, however, facial attributes are frequently playfully compared to the characteristics of animal features, giving birth to the concept of “animal face types.” In this article, we’ll explore the various animals that human faces are associated with in Korea and the features that characterise them. Take a look and try to find out which animal you resemble!

Learn More: How Koreans Tell Personalities with MBTI

Dog or Puppy Face | 강아지상 (gang-a-ji-sang)

The puppy or dog face type in Korea embodies a charming and endearing set of facial features that resemble the adorable qualities of canine companions. Some of the characteristics of this face type include:

  • Straight eyebrows
  • Round eyes with droopy eye corners
  • Round face
  • Round nose
  • Soft jawline
  • Small and plump lips

These features create a very approachable appearance and give the person a youthful appeal. 

Some Korean celebrities with the dog face type are actresses Park Bo Young, Song Hye Kyo, and Han Ga In, actor and singer Park Hyung Sik, as well as K-pop boy group EXO’s Baek Hyun.

Collage image of Park Bo Young, Park Hyung Sik, EXO's Baek Hyun, Song Hye Kyo

Cat Face | 고양이상 (go-yang-i-sang)

People associated with the cat face are often seen as sophisticated, sexy and self-respecting. They are frequently misunderstood and can be harder to approach at times. However, it is said that those with a cat face are actually humorous and easygoing. Here are some of the distinctive features of the cat face type:

  • Sharp, v-shaped jawline
  • Arched eyebrows
  • Cat eyes with ends that point upwards
  • Sharp and tall nose
  • Upward-arching lips
  • Small mouth

Celebrities with a cat face type include South Korean actor Kang Dong Won, actress Han Chae Young, singer Lee Hyo Ri, and K-pop girl group members Yeji of ITZY and Haerin of New Jeans.

Collage image of Han Chae Young, Lee Hyo Ri, ITZY Yeji and New Jeans Haerin

Deer Face | 사슴상 (sa-seum-sang)

The deer face type is characterised by innocent and gentle appearances, and youthful and delicate facial features. To be considered as someone with a deer face type, you’ll need to possess these features:

  • Big bright eyes with a neutral eye shape
  • Long and voluminous eyelashes
  • Pretty and long neckline without a visible trapevius
  • Slim face

The South Korean celebrities with a deer face type include actresses Kim Yoo Jung and Song Ji Hyo, singers Sun Mi and Girls’ Generation’s Yoon A, as well as K-pop boy group SHINee’s Min Ho.

Collage image of Kim Yoo Jung, Song Ji Hyo, SNSD's Yoon A and SHINee's Min Ho

Rabbit Face | 토끼상 (to-kki-sang)

The rabbit face type is one that exudes an aura of gentle cuteness and innocence similar to the dog face type. However, people with a rabbit face usually possess a rounder and more bubbly appearance.

The facial features of a rabbit face type include:

  • Round and bright eyes
  • Fair skin with flushed cheeks
  • Chubby cheeks
  • Slightly protruding front teeth like those in rabbits

Some South Korean celebrities with features resembling a rabbit include singer and actress Bae Suzy, singer IU, K-pop girl group members Na Yeon of TWICE and Yuna of ITZY, as well as K-pop boy group member Do Young of NCT.

Collage image of Bae Suzy, IU, TWICE Nayeon and NCT Do Young

Desert Fox Face | 사막여우상 (sa-mag-yeo-u-sang)

Similar to the cat face type, the desert fox face also carries an air of sophistication and chicness. Everything about the fox face type is sharp and long, and it is believed that these features can create very beautiful and charming appearances. They include:

  • Long and slanted eyes
  • Distinct and straight nose
  • Sharp, v-shaped jawline
  • Thin and arched eyebrows
  • Thin lips
  • Fair skin

Actor Yeo Jin Goo, actress Yoo In Na, K-pop boy group SHINee’s Key, K-pop girl group members Ga In of Brown Eyed Girls and Park Gyu Ri of KARA are some South Korean celebrities with the desert fox face type.

Collage image of Yeo Jin Goo, SHINee's Key, Brown Eyed Girls' Ga In, and Yoo In Na

Koreans’ ingenious method of comparing facial attributes to the distinct features of various animals help us perceive beauty differently and reminds us that the world of beauty is as diverse as the animal kingdom itself.

Learn More: Korea’s Beauty Standards Compared to those of the West

If you wish to learn more about Korean culture and the trends that emerge in Korean society, ONLYOU Korean, a Korean language centre in Singapore offers a variety of Korean language classes where you can learn more about the language and Korea’s rich and vibrant culture from Korean teachers. Sign up for our classes here.

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