Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 337

337. Fashion Revolution (5)

“Haa… This is infuriating….”

Hyang grumbled in his room as his attempts to revive the topknot and even the wig continued to fail.

Hyang’s reputation and abilities were widely recognized, but the wall of tradition was something his name and skills couldn’t break down.

“I jokingly muttered it back then, but maybe the age of imperialist powers would have been more convenient.”

Sitting with his arms crossed, Hyang glared at the blank paper.

* * *

The 19th century, the era of Western encroachment. Abolishing the topknot was a symbol of modernization.

“Let’s break free from the long-crouched past and move forward like the Western barbarians!”

“Look at the culture and attire of those Westerners! Look at the skyscrapers where those Westerners live! Shouldn’t we live like that too!”

“If we want to live like them, we must cut off the old customs and evils of the past! There is no time!”

For those who called for rapid and active opening of the country and modernization, the topknot was a symbol of old customs that had to be torn down.

Therefore, after announcing the Disbandment Edict under the guise of ‘hygiene,’ they chose coercion instead of enlightenment.

The problem was that choosing coercion instead of enlightenment increased the dissatisfaction of the people. Moreover, the Japanese, who were steadily swallowing Joseon, all wore Western clothes with their hair cut short.

Thanks to this, the Joseon people regarded ‘short hair = pro-Japanese,’ leading to fierce resistance.

However, the idea rooted in Koreans through the reconstruction period after independence was ‘topknot = uncivilized & conservative.’

* * *

“The problem is that the West is actually lagging behind now. Even if I’m generous, they are two or three steps behind.”

Hyang tapped the desk with his finger and muttered.

As Hyang said, Europe at this time was far behind Joseon and China in every way.

“In this situation, I can’t say we should emulate the Westerners, even if my mouth is crooked. Besides, that damn hairstyle….”

Based on the information obtained through Pietro, Raphael, Mansur, and the information from the alchemists and mathematicians who came this time, Europe was at the tail end of the Middle Ages, just before the Renaissance began.

* * *

France, the most powerful country in Europe, was fighting the Hundred Years’ War with England. Although the battles were mainly for negotiation, it was still war.

Remembering the hairstyles from 21st-century movies, Hyang called them damn hairstyles.

The hairstyles of men in movies about ‘Joan of Arc,’ an icon of the Hundred Years’ War, were mostly bowl cuts (Note 1) or bobs with straight-cut bangs. (Note 2)

Hyang couldn’t say they were cool, even if he died and came back to life. In particular, the bowl cut, styled with a two-block cut, required as much maintenance as a topknot to look good.

Shaking his head, Hyang brushed off the memory and continued to grumble.

“The next period is also a problem.”

The popular hairstyle for European men during the Renaissance was long hair down to the shoulders. Most of them wore their long hair loose or styled with the ends curled inward. If Joseon people saw it, they would say it was a ‘beggar’s disheveled hair.’

The hairstyles of the following 17th and 18th centuries involved gathering the long hair and braiding it in the back. Officials and nobles wore white wigs over their styled hair or powdered it white. Again, if Joseon people saw this, they would say, ‘Just wear a topknot! And why is that guy putting powder on his head?’ and click their tongues.

* * *

After a long period of contemplation, Hyang scratched his head nervously and muttered.

“Damn it! Should I just do it like I did with the military uniform back then? It seems like there’s no one who would object even if I just do it now….”

Thinking of the court officials who had become accustomed to change as the reforms progressed, Hyang considered the possibility.

“If the court officials’ way of thinking now were seen by those old nobles or the Confucian Taliban [a derogatory term for strict traditionalists] I knew, they would say, ‘You heretical scoundrels! Stay right there! I’m bringing the poison!’ So, there is a possibility… But I’m still uneasy….”

When the Disbandment Edict was announced in the history before Hyang intervened, those who protested shouted, ‘Our body, hair, and skin are received from our parents; we dare not harm them; this is the beginning of filial piety.’ Therefore, while creating the basis for the Disbandment Edict, Hyang had prepared rebuttals—such as nose hair trimming and nail clipping—to use if this saying came up. However, the officials only argued about tradition and the existence of alternatives.

Therefore, Hyang considered the possibility, but he was still uneasy. The topknot was a tradition that had been passed down since the Gojoseon era [ancient Korean kingdom]. Even Hyang could cause a fatal political controversy and potentially be deposed as crown prince in the worst case.

Hyang continued to scratch his head and mutter.

“Besides, just going with the Western style is a bit much… But considering the hygiene issues, it’s necessary….”

After a long period of contemplation, Hyang smacked his lips.

“I guess I have to go with a two-track approach. I’ll have to gradually make short hair familiar over time and broaden the range of choices.”

Having decided on a direction, Hyang soon chose a suitable target.

“It’s the military again….”

* * *

The biggest reason Sejong and the officials opposed it was, ‘If the hygiene of the hair is a problem, just wash it often.’

“But the problem is that the military, especially the cavalry stationed in the north and patrolling long distances, and the navy embarking on long voyages, can’t wash often. If I argue for short hair based on non-combat losses due to disease, the possibility is high. And if it’s used as a substitute for relics (items used by the deceased during their lifetime), it will also be symbolic. Haa….”

Sighing, Hyang came to a conclusion.

“I think I can go with this.”

* * *

Although he found a way to proceed with the two-track approach, Hyang felt something was lacking.

“I recommended washing hair often, but there won’t be much response. It’s not easy to untie and retie a topknot.”

Talking about the problem while scratching his head, Hyang spat out a curse full of annoyance.

“Ah, damn it! Why is my head so itchy! It’s only been two days since I took a bath and washed my hair! Bath….”

Hyang, who was about to call a eunuch, stopped in his tracks.

After a moment of contemplation, Hyang snapped his fingers.

“That’s it!”

* * *

The next day, the vice ministers of the Ministry of Finance were summoned to the East Palace.

“Your Highness! The vice ministers of the Ministry of Finance have arrived.”

“Let them in.”

“Yes, come inside.”

Guided by the eunuch, the vice ministers entered and bowed respectfully to Hyang.

“Welcome, everyone. It’s nice to meet you. Huh?”

Hyang, who was returning the greeting to the vice ministers, recognized a familiar face and was delighted.

“Oh, it’s you! Master Lim! It’s been a while! Did you get promoted to vice minister? Congratulations!”

Lim Sun-wook, who entered the government service through Sejong’s special appointment disguised as forced entry, had suddenly risen to the position of vice minister.

Seeing Hyang’s face full of joy, Lim Sun-wook replied with an embarrassed expression.

“I have been promoted to this unworthy position thanks to His Majesty’s great grace.”

“Hahaha! His Majesty is always fair in that regard, so I understand Vice Minister Lim’s abilities. By the way, what department are you in charge of?”

“Currently, I am in charge of the 3rd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Finance.”

Hyang’s face brightened even more at Lim Sun-wook’s answer.

The 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Finance was in charge of national finance, the 2nd Vice Minister was in charge of overseas trade, and the 3rd Vice Minister was in charge of domestic prices and market trends.

‘Minister Kim put him in the right place! This will make things very easy! It’s a good start!’

“What is the reason for summoning us?”

At the question of the 1st Vice Minister, Hyang slowly began to tell the story.

“Are you aware that I recently suggested the Disbandment Edict to His Majesty?”

“Yes.”

“Do you also know why I advocated for the Disbandment Edict?”

“Yes, I heard it was for the purpose of preventing disease. However, I heard that His Majesty rejected it.”

Hyang nodded at the 1st Vice Minister’s answer.

“Yes, the reason was that we can just wash our hair often. But frankly speaking, isn’t it difficult for ordinary people to wash their hair often?”

The vice ministers nodded at Hyang’s point. As Hyang emphasized public hygiene and it actually had an effect, people bathed more often than before. Even if they couldn’t bathe for various reasons, it was common to wash their face every day.

However, hair was not the same. Untying and retying a topknot was quite cumbersome. More than that, untangling, washing, and drying long, greasy, and tangled hair was a real hassle.

Hyang, having confirmed the vice ministers’ reactions, got to the point.

“So, I have a business idea.”

“A business idea?”

“Yes. It will improve the hair hygiene of the people and create new jobs to help their lives.”

After finishing his words, Hyang lifted the paper on the desk and showed it to the vice ministers.

The vice ministers tilted their heads, looking at the letters written on the paper.

“Hair Washing Room (洗髮房)?”

Hyang explained about the hair washing room to the vice ministers.

“You can wash your hair while taking a bath, but it’s not easy. So, we create businesses that specialize in washing hair. They untie the topknot, wash the hair, and then retie the topknot. The basic hair wash is 1 *dong* [currency], adding the removal of lice and fleas is 2 *dong*, and adding trimming like nose hair trimming is 3 *dong*. What do you think?”

Hyang’s idea was based on his 21st-century experience. Washing hair was a basic service in barbershops and beauty salons. However, it provided a more refreshing feeling than washing it yourself at home, and some barbershops and beauty salons operated hair washing and drying as separate products.

In Hyang’s memory, it was a quite addictive product.

* * *

Having heard Hyang’s explanation, the vice ministers began to analyze with serious faces.

When they first heard the word hair washing room, it seemed like pie in the sky. However, after hearing the detailed explanation, the vice ministers all had the same thought.

‘There is potential!’

While they were contemplating, Lim Sun-wook was the first to speak.

“Among the reports that come to me, there were a few similar reports….”

Lim Sun-wook paused and recalled. After a moment of recollection, Lim Sun-wook answered more accurately.

“There were 3 cases in total. A few bathhouses in Suwon, Gaeseong, and Pyongyang said they would wash hair.”

At Lim Sun-wook’s answer, Hyang asked with an interesting face.

“What is the reaction like?”

“I heard it’s not bad. There are many people who don’t understand paying money to wash their hair, but those who have experienced it once become regulars.”

“That’s exactly it! So, I want to implement this nationwide. It’s good to install it in bathhouses, or you can open a separate shop. No, since it’s just washing hair, it would be better to create a separate shop!”

In this way, Hyang and the vice ministers had a serious discussion about the hair washing room.

Three days later, an official document was created, and it was immediately sent to Sejong.

“Will the people pay to wash their hair?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang immediately answered.

“They will!”

‘Grooming is not only for cats!’

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong reviewed the proposal again. Seeing that the names of the three vice ministers of the Ministry of Finance were also on it, Sejong came to a conclusion.

“It seems possible since not only the Crown Prince but also the three vice ministers of the Ministry of Finance are involved. I approve.”

In this way, the ‘hair washing room,’ one of Joseon’s specialties, was born.

* * *

At first, everyone was doubtful about the hair washing room, but soon customers were constantly coming. The refreshing feeling from the hair washed by those who were familiar with hair washing was addictive.

Of course, sometimes things happened that made people laugh and cry.

“I don’t have much hair, so shouldn’t you cut it for me?”

“Aren’t you thinking about the labor cost of making a plausible topknot with that little hair?”

* * *

Note 1) http://blog.naver.com/PostView.nhn?blogId=altnrdl1&logNo=221273522170

https://brunch.co.kr/@peopletoday/3

Note 2) https://news.joins.com/article/8161619

Please look at the hairstyle of the man standing behind Joan of Arc.