My partners, Jessy and Sheetal, and I, have decided to make our cultural project focus on the standards of beauty in Korean society. We are going to talk about the influence of Western standards in Korea/Asia, and particularly on the ideals of skin color (light), height (tall), and eyes (big and double-eyelids). While my partner and I were researching, one of our first and most resonating thoughts was that none of those qualities are naturally considered to be Korean. When you think of a tall, light-skinned, and big-eyed lady, do you imagine Lucy Liu or Scarlett Johanson? It makes sense, therefore, to imagine that the standard is based off of a Western look, and consequently, unattainable through natural means.
As a result, plastic surgery is common and very pervasive in Korean culture. Often, plastic surgery is given as a high school graduation gift for procedures such as eyelid reconstructive, skin bleaching, or nose jobs. Unlike America, beauty is a very narrow consideration in Korea - differences are not celebrated the way that they can be here. The youth emulate pop stars that emulate the most popular artists in America, and the cycle is vicious. Until boys and girls find peace with their natural bodies, plastic surgery will remain prominent in Korean society.
I already had done some research on blepheroplasty, or eyelid surgery, so I was interested in the other aspects of Korean beauty. I learned a lot about methods of skin whitening, such as bleaching and special creams and lotions, as well as the emphasis put on tall, lean legs. It is fascinating to read about Korean standards of beauty because although I am Korean, I have a different perception of beauty altogether, and I absolutely am not light-skinned, tall, or have double-eyelids. Yet, I am comfortable with my appearance and wonder how I would be received if I went to Korea.
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