Korean humor: the "empty bra" makes the biggest showing

You may be familiar with the old Korean proverb "빈수레가 요란하다." Literally, it means "the empty cart makes the most noise."

The empty cart makes the most noise, illustrated.

Proverb explanation

Imagine pulling a wagon down a dusty road. If it is laden with a heavy load, it will roll along and not be likely to bounce so much. Even when it does, assuming it is packed tight, it won't make much noise. Contrast this with an empty wagon, which will bounce around and jostle more and be generally more annoying and loud.

This proverb takes that idea and applies it to people. The people who are full (of knowledge, wisdom, etc.) are often quiet and reflective. The people are "empty" with nothing in their brains tend to be loud, talkative, draw attention to themselves.

Expansion to female anatomy

Maybe you can see where this is going. Apparently today this proverb is also applied, jokingly or misogynistically depending on your beliefs, to the behavior of women depending on their bust size.

Netizens have supposedly noticed that women, especially actresses and idols, who are on the more generously endowed side of breast size are more willing to "naturally" show what they've got when bowing in public appearances. Apparently this isn't considered flaunting, but just genuine and nonchalant bowing, without any thought to their chests. Male netizens find this wholesome and genuine somehow, at least in contrast to women who are on the smaller side. Supposedly these women, who are often relatively more covered up anyway with modest fashion choices and who don't have much to show off anyway, are deemed more likely to engage in a performative act of modesty, trying to do the female equivalent of a "manner hand" by covering their tops while bowing.

Take a look at the following. These have all been presented as evidence of the proverb's truth in action. You are meant to note that in each picture, the woman with the largest bust is not bothering to performatively cover it. In one picture we even get a costume apparently meant for a woman with let's say a different build.

Examples of "the empty bra makes the biggest showing". I'm sure you aren't planning to click the image for a larger view.

So we get to the proverb. The empty wagon makes the most noise. Or in this application, the empty bra makes the biggest showing of trying to hide their breasts.

Consider one more example, because I know you're here to be let's say educated on the topic. Here are two famous Korean actresses, Yoo In-na and Oh In-hye. Both equally beautiful women, with just one (2?) noticeable differences between them that result in, so the proverb teaches, some certain behavioral differences.

Yoo In-na and Oh In-hye (RIP)

I'll leave it up to you to decide. Are these smaller-chested women simply performing this act of covering up nonexistent cleavage to artificially draw attention to their bodies in a way that naturally big bosomed women don't have to? Or are these heavy laden women just relying on their fuller bodies to quietly speak for themselves so to say? You decide.

Equality of sexism

Lest you feel that this term is only derogatorily applied to women, fear not! Netizens are equal opportunity trash talkers. Take the example of guitarist and singer Oh Hyuk (오혁), who had the same insult applied to him when apparently getting a perm for his shaved, possibly balding, head. I don't know if this was legitimate or just posed for fun, but you get the idea. Making a big show of haircare when the hair just ain't there.

I'll let actress Seol In-ah give you a parting bow to show some uh appreciation for reading this post and educating yourself on... uh... what was I talking about?

감사합니다

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