The Bombshell Barber of Busan
It’s not easy being a woman in a man’s world, but that hasn’t stopped Wanda Lee from making a name for herself. In the metropolitan city of Busan, South Korea, Wanda is a barber and total boss by day, red hot rockabilly rose by night.
In the heart of the Bujeon-dong district in Busan, Wanda owns and runs Jackson Pama barbershop with her husband, Brett Heo. Jackson Pama is a Western-style barber shop that uses traditional barbering techniques for their clients.
How did you get started with hair? What led you to open a barber shop?
I have worked with hair for around 15 years. I’m very curious, and if I want to do something, I have to do it! When I learned barber techniques for men’s hair, I found it really satisfying and was instantly attracted to it. Women are better able to take care of their hair than men, they don’t need my help. But men! That’s why I chose to be a barber. So naturally, I opened up a barber shop.
Are there many female barbers in South Korea?
When I started, women didn’t work in barber shops, but the number of female barbers is growing steadily.
Jackson Pama is a well-known Western-style barber shop with a vintage atmosphere. Are most of your clients looking for an authentic rockabilly haircut?
Busan is a conservative city in Korea. There is a tendency here to be reluctant to challenge the norm. Most of our clients like the rebelliousness of the rockabilly style. Many of them want a rockabilly haircut, and I am not going to stop encouraging them.
What is your favorite vintage men’s hairstyle?
I recommend the “slicked back” style. It’s a really nice style, and when the the volume is high in the front, it naturally looks good. When that front volume is tight, it looks classic. That’s what makes it such a great style.
How did you become interested in rockabilly and pinup style?
One day, I listened to the music of Wanda Jackson. After that, I fell in love with rockabilly. Listening to rockabilly music naturally led me to the pinup style. I love it so much! For me, everything has changed since I adopted vintage style. Vintage style is like a time machine to a past era.I love to watch old movies and documentaries and listen to the music. Life has changed so much since then.
Your husband is very dapper. Did you have a similar aesthetic when you met, or did your individual styles grow with your relationship?
When I met my husband eight or nine years ago we were not vintage-style, but we do everything together. We both loved listening to vintage music and watching old movies together. That is why we changed to a vintage style together.
How was your experience at Viva Las Vegas in 2018?
It was so amazing, a really happy experience. It’s where I just have to be. It was a really nice experience that I couldn’t have in Korea. It’s like a pinup fashion show the whole time. I met so many beautiful international pinup girls, saw the burlesque show, watched a rockabilly concert. It was so fantastic. I did everything there was to do in Vegas.
What words of wisdom do you have for people just starting to explore vintage and rockabilly style, or for those who don’t feel vintage enough?
When you first get interested in vintage style, it’s helpful to know the history behind it. It’s important to remember that vintage makes you feel something you couldn’t in the present, and it takes you back in time. Rockabilly takes me back to the 1950s. It makes me feel like I am a teenager forever.
Where do you find your clothes?
I usually buy from US and UK vintage reproduction websites. For clothes from Korea, I buy SPA brands that are like H&M, Forever 21 or Zara. Sometimes I make my own clothes. For example, I make a lot of my skirts.
Do you have any favorite vintage stores in Busan?
My favorite store is Maritime City. It’s located in Nampo-dong.
What is the rockabilly scene in Busan like?
There’s a better punk scene here than rockabilly. It makes me sad…
Can you recommend some South Korean rockabilly bands?
There are two famous rockabilly bands in Korea. One is Hoppers in Busan. The other one is based on Seoul, called Street Guns.
What would you recommend to a vintage-loving tourist in Busan or South Korea?
There is Maritime City in Busan, my favourite. In Seoul, I recommend Blue Jean Bop and Silly Ville. You can get a true sense of vintage Korea by visiting the Dongmyo Shrine. And Hapcheon Movie Theme Park, which has set reproductions of Korean buildings from the 1930s to the 1950s.
