So this is kind of a hot topic… But I’m gonna go there~ Koreans and Plastic Surgery
Koreans get a lot of Plastic Surgery.
It seems that about 70% of women in their 20′s-30′s have undergone Plastic Surgery. (Don’t quote me on the stats… Just trust me.. It’s a lot!)
* Almost everyone you see on Korean Dramas/Movies/Music Videos has had some sort of Plastic Surgery.
* Koreans are getting Plastic Surgery to further their career.
* I’ve even heard about parents getting their children Plastic Surgery as a Graduation present.
Personally, I’m all about people doing whatever they want. You only have one life~ Live it the way you want.
However, it does make me think when someone wants to get Plastic Surgery…or when a whole nation so wholly accepts permanently altering your face/body.
Perhaps you may see it ironic that I, a Makeup Artist (who’s profession is to change the way someone looks), am saying this….
Here’s the thing~ Makeup washes off.
Maybe getting the double eyelid isn’t that much different than the fact that I put on thick eyeliner every day, everywhere I go… but the idea of Plastic Surgery scares me.
[ Mind you, I am a big chicken who still screams when I'm at the Dentist/Doctor (True Story)... but doing something so permanent is REALLY scary to me]
A lot of Korean women get the Double Eyelid Surgery.
I hear it’s not really a big deal…. I care to disagree.
You’re SEWING/CUTTING YOUR EYELID! How can that not be a big deal?
Nose Jobs and Cutting of the Chin (?) are also pretty common. Breaking your nose and slicing your face does not sound pleasant to me.
Yes, with all that Plastic Surgery, you may have “prettier” features… but can you still recognize yourself when you look in the mirror?
Plastic Surgery also seems to play a part in getting jobs.
I’m not going to lie and say that looks don’t have an influence or play a factor in society.
OF COURSE everyone likes looking at an attractive person.
And yes, unfortunately, people may judge others based on their looks… but this is a temporary thing.
Initially a person who is attractive may stand out more, but if there’s no substance… the beauty fades.
Some of the most attractive people in the world have the ugliest hearts… and that makes them an ugly person.
If you have the qualifications, the confidence, and the personality, you’ll most likely get the job.
If you have to have surgery to get a job… find another job!
I’d previously written about how Korean Adults can make negative comments, which can make you feel bad about yourself…. but what does it say when parents encourage their children to change the way they look by suggesting, giving as a gift, or forcing their children to get plastic surgery?!?
“Parents make their kids get plastic surgery,” says Dr. Shim Hyung Bo, a plastic surgeon practicing in Seoul, “just like they make them study. They realize looks are important for success.” Which means that in today’s Korea, getting your eyes done can be easier than getting the keys to dad’s car” (http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/1101020805/plastics.html)
* To me, it’s always really sad when a parent can’t accept their child for who they are.
When they can’t accept something as personal as the way their child looks… what kind of message is that sending?
Instead of teaching children that they need to change the way they look to fit into society’s ideal of beauty, how about teaching children the value of their self-worth and showing them love and acceptance?
It truly makes me sad that South Korea has become a country that accepts, embraces, and even encourages Plastic Surgery so easily.
- First of All~ It’s Permanent! You will never have the same face you had before. NEVER! NEVER EVER!
- Secondly~ What if you don’t like the results? God Forbid something goes wrong, or you’re not happy with the way you look.
- Thirdly~ It can become an addiction
**************************************************************************************************************
Hang Mioku is a 48 year old woman who became obsessed with plastic surgery. She started getting plastic surgery at the age of 28. After having multiple operations, her face was left enlarged and disfigured. After surgeons refused to work on her anymore, she resorted to injecting cooking oil into her face. She became known as “Standing Fan” by the neighborhood children because of her large face and small body.
*********************************************************************************************************************
Apparently, the number of Plastic Surgeries has declined since the Recession hit. I think this is a good thing.
I hope that Korea stops looking at Plastic Surgery so lightly.
To me, Plastic Surgery can seem like a loss of Ethnic Identity and a loss of Self.
But I don’t know….. maybe that’s just the way I see it…
I don’t want to make people that have had Plastic Surgery feel bad about themselves.
If you’ve done it…. I’m sure you had your reasons, and I hope you like the results.
If it’s made you happier, more confident, feel more beautiful… that’s wonderful! Do what you gotta do~*
I just hope that people realize that Plastic Surgery IS a big deal.
It’s not just something that everyone does, something that will make you a better person, and it is most definitely NOT an appropriate graduation gift!
But those are just my thoughts…. What are yours?
P.S. You’d be amazed at what a little eyelid tape and makeup can do~*
*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*
http://irenekimmakeup.com
http://irenekimmakeup.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/irenekimmakeup
