For example, many Koreans will look at you out of curiosity in the following situations: if you are overweight; if you have a very expressive sense of fashion; if (as a guy) you have long hair; or if you are dark-skinned . Since I am a foreigner, I get looks every now and then, usually from older Koreans.
I have come to learn that this attitude towards self-expression isn't necessarily about fitting in, but shows the importance Koreans place on the idea of the community over the individual. I have come to appreciate this perspective as a subtle difference between Korean and American culture. In Korean culture, you can come off as seeming rude or trying to stir trouble if you try to be unique or decide to follow your own path; this is because, by acting in this way, you are expressing that you are more important than the overall social harmony. In Korea, showing conformity is a way of showing your humility whereas in America humility is shown through not recognizing your achievements.
Furthermore, since Seoul is a bustling city full of people from different backgrounds and mindsets, there is a nice blend between traditional and modern cultures, here. As a foreigner, I am, for instance, allowed to act differently without being judged. I am held to a different standard than Koreans, because I am from a different culture. Other foreigners also are able to retain their unique cultures while, at the same time, integrating into Korean society. I have learned that Seoul has a very international mindset; it is easy, here, to live the same way I did in the U.S. because people in South Korea are, for the most part, tolerant towards other cultures. Seoul's expat (foreigner) community is huge.
