As the world advances with the prevalence of advanced technology, plastic surgery has become more and more frequent. It has had such a drastic impact that South Korea has now become the plastic surgery capital of the world.
There are more than 1 million patients seeking plastic surgery annually in South Korea alone. Many international patients also find it beneficial to seek plastic surgery in South Korea.
SOUTH KOREA PLASTIC SURGERY: HISTORY
Plastic surgery in South Korea was performed in order to help the soldiers of the Korean war and fix the ‘oriental eyes’ of native patients. In 1974, plastic surgery was finally approved by the supreme court of South Korea which gave it social and legal legitimization. Graduates in South Korea receive plastic surgery as graduation gifts. Also, it is important to know that plastic surgery is not limited to just women in South Korea. Men of South Korea are also increasingly becoming a part o this community.
WHY IS PLASTIC SURGERY SO POPULAR IN SOUTH KOREA?
The popularity of plastic surgery in South Korea can be associated with the fact that physical appearance is an important factor when one is seeking employment. It becomes essential to seek surgery in order to get a higher status of employment.
FAMOUS SURGERIES IN SOUTH KOREA
Some of the most famous plastic surgeries in South Korea are as follows:
– Double eyelid surgery – this is the most popular surgery in South Korea. This procedure enlarges the size of the eyes. Excess fat from around the eyes is removed in this process.
– Jaw reduction surgery – Koreans appreciate slimmer jaws and therefore, jaw reduction surgery had to be on this list. The process includes slimming the chin and giving it a V – shape.
– Rhinoplasty – This is also known as a nose job. This is done to achieve a narrower nose bridge. The higher nose bridge is considered to fit the Korean beauty standards.
SOUTH KOREA PLASTIC SURGERY: MISCONCEPTIONS
A lot of allegations have been made against Korean standards of beauty and how they have strict regimes to make everyone look “white”. Procedures like skin whitening, double–eyelid surgery, and jaw reduction are the surgeries majorly performed in Korea. But westerners take this as a sign of Koreans wanting to turn white. However, these have been termed as misconceptions by the Korean population.
The people of Korea describe these allegations as a result of Eurocentrism and Western arrogance. Pale skin has always been a part of the Korean culture and is not unique to East Asia as it is practiced all over Asia. Westerners appreciate sharper jawlines, protruding and high cheekbones, and lip fillers. This is not how the case is in Korea. Koreans appreciate slimmer jawlines, flatter cheekbones, and thick and large lips are often not welcomed.
Beauty standards can vary from one place to another. Our world is diverse and therefore it is important to understand, accept and appreciate the diversity. Korean beauty standards are becoming highly popular all around the world as music and theatre from South Korea are taking over the world with their immense popularity
