Hmmm

However, there exists a small pool whereby they date other individuals that do not have the same physical attractiveness. Within this pool, i’ve observed more less attractive women dating more attractive men than less attractive men dating more attractive women.

Feels apparent to me then that you have to remove them from this thought exercise, because they're clearly functioning under a different criteria, unless we have to assume they vision problems.

But in addition to your friends' comments, it's imo the typical asian upbringing tends to produce women with decent-to-great management skills, basic hosting etiquette, and a strategic awareness of finances. You'll note none of that involves looks. But even within looks, many women are at least socialized to at least wash their face and moisturize daily and do light makeup. It's easy enough to be a catch for most everybody if you are a catch.

It's likely the men you see grokked that immediately. Most guys run on a critical debuff on all of these dimensions, so if they can't even be brought anywhere like a orang bersopan santun (tau jaga diri, tau how to chit chat with elders, tau jaga hati etc) then the (perceived) lack of beauty just adds to that. A lot of plain guys who score great-looking girls usually have made that breakthrough, and most great-looking girls, since the pickings are easier, can afford to critically assess esp since most guys, lawa or not, can't even function as a decent human being in a romantic relationship.

ETA: but even if they're plain, maybe their personal presentation is great, and that's what makes the girls be into them. Unless you mean not only they plain, but pakai baju cincai with spenda koyak (true story I know this man) - why I bring this up: a person yg tau jaga badan (a well-maintained girl and guy) can use similar yardstick to assess if this dude is also a person who tau jaga diri in other aspects. It's a red flag for them if you don't even know to dress decently.