SDLC Cultural Post #3

[June Choi]

Plastic surgery is a major industry in Korea, especially in popular cities such as Gangnam (강남). With globalization, Koreans desire “westernized” beauty and have been influenced by American celebrities through social media. South Korea has severely high beauty standards in their society, for their strive to achieve a look that deviates from the average Korean features. 1 in 3 women have gone through plastic surgery according to Gallup Korea, and thus demonstrates the alarming dominance and normalcy of plastic surgery in the culture itself. The most common plastic surgery procedures include double eyelid surgery, jaw reduction surgery, eye widening surgery, rhinoplasty, forehead augmentation, hair transplant, chin augmentation, teeth capping, and breast augmentation. I have seen many girls and women in Korea walking along the streets in popular cities with bandages after they have gone through surgery. As it contrasts with the American culture, in which people are encouraged to embrace and flaunt their natural features, it is interesting to observe the cultural differences between Korea and America and how it impacts how people view themselves.