What to do with my Korean hair?

I've had my hair buzzed for most of my life and its always been very thick and tends to grow up and out instead of down. I tried growing my hair out 2 years ago unsuccessfully, with little direction hoping my hair would just stay down. I buzzed it again until this summer I finally decided I had to change it. I was cutting my hair about every two weeks to keep it short and I just need something different. Since I've let it grow I've had it cut twice at a local barbershop through the use of texturing scissors and a butterfly razor. I thought giving it some texture would help it stay down but its still sticks out. I've been using some strong hair gel to just spike my hair up but I really dislike using it. I want my hair to naturally stay down, or something close to it. Phew that was long, here's two pictures of my morning hair if ya were kind enough to read it all ;)

Any help is appreciated :)

man...i had that problemm......i just swam alot...if u swim...the chlorine...weakens ur hair...therefore the hair naturally will wanna stay down....also...grow it out a lil then leave it wet when u come out of th shower...then put the gel on it...it will gel it while it is wet so it should stay down..and also try realxing it..bb2...dude