With the growing popularity of Korean Pop Music and Korean Dramas all over the world, a keen interest in Korean culture has also increased. Interest in different aspects of Korean culture is spreading around the world faster than ever. Whether it be their food habits, the long history of their ethnicity, or their fashion industry, people have welcomed and adapted this culture with open arms. People on different social media platforms can be seen appreciating the Korean culture and trying different fashion trends from Korea.
One of these fashion trends which is globally famous is Korean plastic surgery. Korean beauty standards are appreciated by everyone internationally, and many people have started adopting such standards.
KOREAN PLASTIC SURGERY: ITS GLOBAL IMPACT
Korean plastic surgery has had an immense impact on international beauty standards. South Korea receives more than 1 million patients for plastic surgery and many of them are international patients. Most plastic surgeries have been done in South Korea with over 980,000 recorded operations in 2014. There are more than 600 cosmetic centers in Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
HISTORY OF KOREAN PLASTIC SURGERY
After the Korean War in the early 1950s and 1960s, Korean plastic surgery entered mainstream media. Double–eyelid surgeries were performed by American surgeons in order to fix the ‘oriental eyes’ of native patients. The Supreme Court of South Korea finally gave approval to cosmetic plastic surgery as a medical practice in 1974. This approval brought legal and social legitimization to this fast-paced business of cosmetic plastic surgery in South Korea.
Plastic surgery in Korea is now a part of its urban culture and it is common for graduates to receive plastic surgery as graduation presents. There are several sources on the internet and social media platforms that can help patients decide what surgery is right for them. It is also important to note that Korean plastic surgery is not limited to just for women. There has also been an increase in the number of men seeking plastic surgery in order to alter their appearance.
BUT, WHY PLASTIC SURGERY?
The business of cosmetic plastic surgery is increasing day by also due to the fact that Koreans tend to be pretty competitive with each other. When their appearance is altered to a desirable extent, they become pretty confident in themselves. Being physically desirable and attractive also increases their probability of employment in various industries. The music and theatre industries of Korea are two obvious examples of how plastic surgery can boost an industry. This is due to the presence of actors and performers with attractive physical appearances.
CONCLUSION
Becoming the plastic surgery capital of the world has also benefitted South Korea in boosting its economy. As it continues to annually attract large masses of the international population, more income is generated and therefore it gives an economic boost to the nation’s economy. Korean beauty standards have been around us for so long and with the advent of popular Korean music and Korean dramas, they only continue to spread rapidly around the world.
