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This Korean Dad’s Home Hair Salon in an HDB Flat Is Breaking the Internet
How a full-time father turned his tiny HDB living room into a viral salon—and why clients keep coming back for more.
Ark
July 29, 2025
From Korea to Singapore: Building a Premium Home-Based Salon
In a cozy four-room HDB flat in Singapore, a unique home-based salon thrives, challenging the stereotypes that such businesses are neither clean nor professional. The owner, a skilled hairstylist from Korea, has transformed one of the flat’s three bedrooms into a salon, while the others house his young family. His journey from Gangnam’s trendy streets to Singapore’s bustling cityscape is one of ambition, adaptation, and a dream to redefine the home-based salon experience.
A Dream Born in Gangnam
Growing up in Gangnam, Korea, the hairstylist was inspired by the fashionable crowds and their trendsetting hairstyles. As a teenager, he aspired to become a hairstylist, captivated by the idea of helping people look their best. However, working in Korea’s salons felt repetitive, like “working in a factory, like a robot,” as everyone chased the same trending hairstyle. Seeking creative freedom and new opportunities, he set his sights on working abroad.
At 29, he took a leap of faith, leaving behind family and friends in Korea to pursue his dream in Singapore. His first step was a short course at Toni & Guy, where he was struck by Singapore’s cleanliness and the ability of its Asian population to speak English fluently. “I kept thinking, wow, how can I work in Singapore?” he recalls. That experience fueled his determination to build a career in the city-state.
Starting a Home-Based Salon
Four years ago, the hairstylist opened his home-based salon, driven by the need to balance work and family life after the birth of his children. With his wife working as an essential healthcare worker, he chose to work from home to care for their newborn. The early days were tough, with low income, but his wife’s trust and his belief in a brighter future kept him going. “That time my income was very low, but I still believe after that it will be better,” he says.
Operating a salon from an HDB flat comes with challenges. Unlike mall-based salons, home-based businesses can’t rely on eye-catching signboards to attract walk-in customers. HDB regulations prohibit signage outside the door, making visibility a hurdle. To overcome this, the hairstylist turned to social media, creating and editing videos to showcase his work. “Last time I quite long time never post video on my social media. Then really no new customer,” he explains. By consistently posting, he began attracting new clients, proving that digital presence is key to growing a home-based business.
Collaboration and Community
To expand his reach, the hairstylist sought collaboration with a neighbor running a home-based eyelash business. Recognizing the power of community, they agreed to refer clients to each other, offering discounts to build a mutually beneficial network. “New clients are always very important for us,” he says. “I think we can help each other and then can grow more business.” This collaborative spirit reflects his proactive approach to overcoming the limitations of a home-based setup.
A Family-Centric Business
Running a salon from home has allowed the hairstylist to forge a closer bond with his children. Previously, working long hours at outside salons left little time for family. Now, he can eat breakfast with his kids, play with bubbles, and be present for their daily moments. “With the home-based business now, he gets to spend more time with the kids and grow closer relationships with them,” his wife notes. However, as his children grow and express their desire for their own rooms, he faces a dilemma: expand to a larger home or give up the salon space. This challenge drives his determination to increase his income and secure his family’s future.
To elevate his salon, the hairstylist invested in a smart mirror from Korea, capable of hair simulation to help clients visualize their new looks. “Nowadays, the technology changes very fast. Then I want to be a leader in this market,” he says, aiming to make his home salon a premium destination. Inspired by Gangnam’s top salons and Singapore’s Orchard Road, he dreams of proving that a home-based salon can rival the best in the industry. “My dream is that even a home salon, not just in Orchard, can be a premium salon,” he says with conviction.
Overcoming Stereotypes
Initially, potential clients hesitated, assuming a home-based salon might lack cleanliness or professionalism. However, those who visited quickly changed their minds. The hairstylist’s dedication to quality, coupled with a warm and welcoming environment, has turned skeptics into loyal customers. His story is a testament to the potential of home-based businesses to thrive through creativity, hard work, and a commitment to excellence.
Looking Ahead
Balancing family, business, and ambition, the hairstylist continues to work hard, especially on busy Saturdays when appointments pile up. His journey from Korea to Singapore reflects a blend of sacrifice and vision, with a clear goal: to make his home salon a premium destination that rivals the best in the industry. By leveraging technology, building community ties, and staying true to his passion for hairstyling, he is redefining what a home-based salon can achieve.
