The correlation between height and attractiveness has always been a linear one. Particularly when it comes to men, we might add, with toxic beauty standards framing towering, colossal frames as style du jour. To that, we say no more. As 2022 approaches, we at Buro. Singapore are ditching binary views of beauty and are, instead, opting to celebrate our favourite short kings; guys teeming with as much charisma, appeal, and personality as their taller counterparts. Here’s what they have to say about their stature, self-esteem, and more.

Mus Z

Tell us about your relationship with your height.
Growing up overweight actually overshadowed my relationship with height. Boys can be really nasty. I had to deal with being bullied for my belly for 12 years so you can say I was distracted by that. But with height, I dealt with overcoming that by choosing to do things that don’t actually require much of it. I chose to play rugby over basketball, soccer over volleyball and ultimately did boxing and MMA. Yes, height gives you an advantage but I learnt that being closer to the ground gets you quicker on your feet.

And then comes career. It doesn’t matter how how tall I am, I’m on level playing grounds amongst my peers. So game on. My career has exposed me to other fears and overcoming them gave me confidence. And confidence can get you places, even heights you think you can’t reach.

Would you say that there has been a change in perception with regard to how people talk about height these days?
The advent of TikTok and Instagram allows people to focus on talent, humour, wit and just downright geekiness. That 16 by 9 ratio on your smartphone allows people to frame up their personality — not height. So yes, I think the conversation has shifted.

What are your other achievements and/or personality traits that you’d rather people focus on?
Growing up in a single income household with six other family members did not really give me a strong head-start in finding success in life. But, I guess a combination of grit, hunger and humility have great mileage. I found out that I’m better off focusing on the things I have, less on the things I don’t — I’m all about playing the cards I’m dealt with. I’m also lucky enough to meet people along the way who took chances with me. Who would have known that this boy from Choa Chu Kang would eventually work in three cities and direct a Super bowl ad before he turned 30? I didn’t.

Sum up how you feel about your frame in a single sentence.
I’ve never thought so much about my frame nor height till today. So thanks?

Mus wears Moncler, Fenty Beauty, as well as KMS products.

Kyunghoon

 Tell us about your relationship with your height.
My relationship with my height has been a love-hate one, to say the least. When I younger, there were two things that affected my perception of my height: Basketball and wooing girls. For basketball, yes, I was quick and speedy but I always wished I was taller because whenever I told my peers about my love for the sport, most of them would go, “Huh? You’re a basketball player?” Apart from that, I believe that many female friends of mine would always say “my companion has to be 175/180cm and above” back in my younger days. It made me self-conscious and, deep down, I knew I wanted to be taller. There was no specific turning point per se, but I did find myself growing more confident later. I focused more on my skills, abilities, talents and character.

Would you say that there has been a change in perception with regard to how people talk about height these days?
Yes, definitely. And I do believe that it comes with age and being in different life stage(s). When you’re younger, people are more likely to be attracted to appearance alone (including height) and it stops there. As people age, they looking for income stability, companionship, whether their frequency matches, etc.

What are your other achievements and/or personality traits that you’d rather people focus on?
I think people do not really point out my height these days but, rather, are choosing to focus on personality traits such as my humour, wit, and tact. Based on achievements, I would say that I like when people notice my dancing, and other talents such as acting, hosting, teaching and beat-boxing!

Sum up how you feel about your frame in a single sentence.
I am 100% satisfied with my body frame because I’d rather focus on being healthy and skilled rather than crying over spilled milk (which is my height in this case).

Kyung wears Moncler, Fenty Beauty, as well as KMS products.

Chad Goh

Tell us about your relationship with your height.
To be entirely honest, I’d say that I have never felt self-conscious about my height at any point in my life? Maybe I’m just lucky, but it’s just never been a point of contention or controversy with my friends or family.

Would you say that there has been a change in perception with regard to how people talk about height, these days?
I believe that the simple answer is no. People tend to judge others quickly based on surface observations, and form their own opinions as soon as they see someone’s outward appearance. It’s not great, and I’m hoping that we’re moving past that point sometime soon.

What are your other achievements and/or personality traits that you’d rather people focus on?
If we’re talking removing physical appearances entirely from the equation, then I’d say let’s probably look at traits like confidence, kindness, wit, humour, etc — all of which I harbour.