Sangtu (topknot)

As Korea attempted to Westernize in the late 19th century, efforts to ban the haircut were fiercely resisted.

[1] In a 12th century Song dynasty record called Koryŏ togyŏng [ko], it is reported that the citizens of Goryeo, from the king down to the common people, wore hats that were typically worn over topknots.

[1] People unable to be married (due to a poor family background or a physical defect) whether or not they were old, used to receive negative comments.

[2] Koreans in Mexico in the early 20th century, who were pressed into functional indentured servitude to Mexican masters, had their sangtu forcibly cut off.

Hence, after about two weeks a further edict was issued, proclaiming haircutting to be no longer compulsory ("rather than have the citizens freeze or starve").

This created problems for those who no longer had topknots, because they couldn't go beyond the city for fear of being attacked by the more rural population.