CV / Job · South Korea

Korean CV Photo (이력서 사진)

A Korean CV photo (이력서 사진) is highly polished: standard 3×4 cm (반명함판), with 3.5×4.5 cm used by some public-sector roles, on a white or light-blue background, the face filling about 70–80% of the height, dark suit/shirt, neat hair, taken within the last 3–6 months.

Photo difficulty5/10

Photo specs

Print size30 × 40 mm (3 × 4 cm); một số nơi 35 × 45 mm
Digital size354 × 472 px @300 DPI
Resolution300
BackgroundWhite (or light blue) (#FFFFFF)
Head sizeFace fills ~70–80% of height, ~3–5 mm margin above the head
Quantity1 photo attached to the CV/application
RecencyTaken within the last 3–6 months
File noteJPG/PNG, ≥300 DPI, usually under 1 MB
30 × 40 mm (3 × 4 cm); một số nơi 35 × 45 mm · Face fills ~70–80% of height, ~3–5 mm margin above the head

Detailed rules

Dark business attireSuit with shirt/blouse; men often wear a tie
Neat hair, face uncoveredForehead, ears and jawline clearly visible
Slight smileAllowed but keep it professional — many choose a neutral look
RetouchingLight skin/blemish edits are fine; do not alter features unrealistically
Colorful / outdoor backgroundPlain white or light-blue background

Common rejection reasons

  • Over-retouching so you look different at the interview
  • Loose hair covering ears/face, looking unprofessional
  • Attire too casual, missing a jacket
  • Using passport-size 3.5×4.5 when 3×4 is required

Photo difficulty

  • High grooming expectations (hair, suit, studio lighting)
  • Two sizes (3×4 and 3.5×4.5) are easy to confuse
  • Face-to-frame ratio of 70–80% must be hit

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Korean CV photo?

The common standard is 3×4 cm (반명함판). Some civil-service and large-corporate roles accept 3.5×4.5 cm (passport size). Check the specific company's requirement.

Why are Korean CV photos so polished?

Korean hiring culture treats the CV photo as part of the first impression, so applicants usually visit studios specialising in job-application photos with proper attire, hair and lighting.

Is a suit mandatory?

Not legally mandatory, but in practice a dark suit with a shirt/blouse is the expected norm, especially for large corporations and banks.

Official sources

Updated 04/07/2026

Related photo standards

Japanese CV Photo (rirekisho 履歴書)

30 × 40 mm (3 cm rộng × 4 cm cao)CV / Job

Vietnam CV / Job Application Photo

30 × 40 mm (3 × 4 cm)CV / Job

Singapore CV Photo

CV / Job

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