In South Korea, the want for cosmetic surgery has increased alarmingly. According to Times magazine, about one in ten adults in Korea have received cosmetic surgery. The most common surgery is eyelid surgery. Genetically not many Koreans are born with double eyelids and in Korean society double eyelids are seen as a sign of beauty. Another popular cosmetic surgery is a nose job, where Koreans with a flatter nose will implant a pearl at the tip of their nose to make their nose higher. Perhaps this phenomenon is due to the influence of Western society for both double eyelids and high sculpted noses are Western facial characteristics. Whatever the cause however does not change the fact that cosmetic surgery has become the craze and trend in South Korea.
It is not only women who are taking part in cosmetic surgery, a large number of men in Korea are reported to receive cosmetic surgery. “South Korean Women have a reputation as the most striking in Asia. And the men are also shaping up. Korean actors are currently the region’s premier heartthrobs” (BBC News). The increase of cosmetic surgery and the concern for one’s looks can be attributed in large part to the big popularity increase of Korean popular culture. A large handful of Korean actors, actresses, and entertainers have received cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance and appeal to audiences. It is their images that are being reproduced in masses and being distributed to Korean society and to other countries where the Korean wave has swept. Due to the large number of cosmetic surgery in South Korea, Seoul, South Korea’s capital has a reputation as the place to go for a nip or a tuck. South Korea’s phase has even led to the creation of a new word called “ul-jjang” which can be translated to best face. A person in Korea who is judged to have a very good looking face is called an “ul-jjang.”
The rate at which Koreans are receiving Cosmetic Surgery is alarming. It is amplified by the rise of Hallyu, where actors, actresses, and entertainers who serve as beauty role models receive surgery and is seen desirable by regular people. It seems that with this increase of cosmetic surgery and the new definition of beauty, the oriental and traditional Korean/Asian beauty is lost. Koreans are reforming to a new look, shedding the old one. Can this be seen as an improvement or a crime where the old traditional look is being sacrificed and forgotten?
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2 comments:
Yes Koreans get a lot of surgery, but I think that it is a growing "fad" sort of speak, all around the world too. But yes, I do see your point.
I think it's really sad that the younger generations (or even older, it seems) are rejecting traditional ideas of beauty and instead embracing anglicized standards of beauty. I've seen this happen in not just Koreans, but Chinese, Indians, African-Americans, etc. The effect of Western media and colonialism is a widespread one. It's seriously the saddest thing in a world to see a girl hate her own looks because she doesn't fit the confines of what the Western media deems as "beautiful" (thin, big breasts, perfect aquiline nose, big eyes, double-lids, tanned or pale skin [depending on which race]).
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