"Laowai" in China | S. Korean hairdresser finds second home in Xinjiang

Xinhua
21 Mar 2025, 14:20 GMT+10

URUMQI, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Hairdresser An Jong Euk is from Suwon, South Korea. He has been working and living in northwest China's Xinjiang for over 20 years. He first worked in a South Korean hair salon in Urumqi, where he met his wife Shi Jifang, a colleague at that time. Later, the two of them seized the market opportunity and opened their hair salon.

With his business expanding from a small hairdressing store to two large high-end salons in Urumqi's central business district, the hairdresser has also felt the big changes in his industry.

An Jong Euk (L) gives a haircut to a customer while an intern observes on the side at a hair salon in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

An Jong Euk chats with staff members at a hair salon in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

An Jong Euk gives a haircut to a customer at a hair salon in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

An Jong Euk gives a free haircut to a senior customer at a hair salon in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

A senior customer expresses gratitude to hairdresser An Jong Euk after receiving a free haircut at a hair salon in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

An Jong Euk plays the ocarina at a hair salon in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

An Jong Euk (L) purchases vegetables at a grocery shop in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

An Jong Euk (R) invites his neighbor to visit his home in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

An Jong Euk (L) embraces his neighbor in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

An Jong Euk communicates with a customer about her hairstyle at a hair salon in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

"In the past, everyone went for the most popular hairstyle. However, this meant that everyone looked the same. Now, people are looking for styles with individuality, and their sense of style has also improved," he said.

An's hard work in bringing beauty to local residents has won him respect in his community. To show his gratitude for the hospitality and kindness that local people had extended to him, An offers free haircuts for people over the age of 65 every Monday morning.

"While I come from ROK, my heart belongs to Xinjiang," said An.

Shi Jifang welcomes a customer at a hair salon in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

An Jong Euk gives a haircut to a customer while his wife Shi Jifang serves tea to a senior customer at a hair salon in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

An Jong Euk (1st R) and an intern give a haircut to a customer at a hair salon in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

An Jong Euk takes a family photo with his wife Shi Jifang and their youngest son at home in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Coordinators: Wang Qingqin, Meng Chenguang, Hu Zhixuan, Chu Jiayin

Reporters: Hu Huhu, Aman

Designers: Zhou Dixiao, Mu Wenchun