Dreaming of Being Vidal Sassoon

A school located in the far western side of Jeju Island was once filled with an air of depression because many students who failed to get admitted to academic high schools just killed time here until they graduated.

However, after one school opened a total beauty department that covers hair care, makeup and other beauty vocational training in March 2003, the atmosphere here has changed.

Many students across the nation have flocked here to learn skills from the total beauty department, once-depressed students became proud of themselves, and the school became full of energy.

This year, 78 new students (67 women and 11 men) were accepted as total beauty majors. But, other departments such as the Internet Information and Tourism departments didn’t admit new students.

The many years of hard work have finally paid off. In ‘2007 World Skill Korea,’ an expo that was held April, representatives of the school grabbed gold and silver medals after competing with adult participants in the hair care sector.

Kim A-yeon, 18, winner of the gold medal, moved to Jeju Island from Incheon two years ago. By searching for information via the Internet, Kim chose this school to learn hairdressing.

Kim said that, “From a young age, I played with doll hair and dreamed of being a hair designer,” adding, “I would like to apply to the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Canada to become one of the best in the world.”

Kim Hae-ryeon, 17, who is interested in nail art, said, “Defying my mother’s objections, I decided to go to this school and promised my mother that I would be responsible for my decision,” adding, “Decorating nails is getting more exciting as I do it more and more.”

In fact, hairdressing and skin care are no longer exclusive areas of female students. There are many male students who confidently choose this field.

Goh Tae-gyeong, 16, who attends the school from Seogwipo, looked excited when he said that he finally found a thing that he wants to do.

Goh said that, “Actually, I didn’t exactly know about hair care, but two years of learning has convinced me that this is the way I have to go. I would like to create my own style that others can’t imitate.”

The high quality of teaching professionals at the school is also a source of pride in this school. Teachers cover both theory and practice.

Kang Hyeon-ok, 38, the first winner of the certificate of the Human Resources Development Service of Korea on the island and a teacher at this school, said that, “I feel overwhelmed when I see students continuing to practice even after the class is over,” adding, “I don’t feel any fatigue in class because there are many students who work hard to prove that their choices were right.”

When they graduate, students take with them four or five certificates in such fields as hair care, skin care, makeup, nail art, and foot care.

Recognizing the strong potential that the school can be developed as a beauty school, the school authorities don’t hesitate to make investments in it. Apart from the current three practicing rooms, they are remodeling another three rooms now.

Michael Osbourne, 49, a native-speaking English teacher, is working on developing a new English conversation curriculum with references from purchased overseas magazines on beauty care.

The school has produced many skillful students who successfully finished the school’s practice courses, and colleges that have relevant majors such Jeju Halla College and Jeju Tourism College have opened more intensive courses for them.

Principal Kim Eung-pyo said, “I have already asked for advice from experts to restructure the curriculum to become a competitive beauty school,” adding, “We also plan to change the school name to one that can represent the functions of a true beauty professional school.”

jy788@donga.com