Dieting, Plastic Surgery, and Lookism in Korea

Are you about to go to Seoul? Did you know that lookism is a thing there?

For those who don’t know, “lookism” is the act of treating someone differently based on the way they look. It’s typically people being mean to unattractive people.

Yes, being mean sounds, well…mean, but the real problem is, who determines who is unattractive?

 

Dieting for an S-Line

Some form of weight loss dieting is pretty much ubiquitous around the world.

And I’m pretty much in the know with the weight loss diets that are in the U.S. I’ve had a kid and I’m telling you the struggle is real.

But they’ve got some diets over there that I had never heard of. There’s one where you eat only a banana or two for breakfast and healthy Korean food for the other two meals of the day. Except that breakfast should be the biggest meal of the day, this diet doesn’t sound all that bad.

Then of course there’s induced vomiting and starvation diets there just like here. Many, if not most k-pop idols and Hallyu stars are not allowed to eat much of anything throughout the week except for one day! All of this is to attain a teeny waist to create an hourglass figure (the “s-line”). Exercise is not seen as a high priority out of fear that they might “bulk up.” I wonder if this is how mukbang became so popular!

May be if they ate more, they wouldn’t be so rail thin and could actually walk a mile or lift five pounds without passing out. But I digress….

The obsession with looks doesn’t stop with dieting though.

Seoul is Still a Mecca for Plastic Surgery

There appears to be a general consensus on who is attractive because most people going under the knife ask for the same look. They want a double eyelid fold, more prominent nose, and a less prominent chin.

You know those k-pop idols don’t just happen to look that good or that much alike right?

It is utterly ironic that we’d ask to look the same after insisting all this time that we don’t look all the same. (Do you get what I’m saying??)

I admit I find the “Before and After” pictures of those who have had plastic surgery fascinating. I’m seriously impressed with the plastic surgeons in Seoul. And honestly, if I ever feel like going under the knife, that is where I would go. (I kind of imagine me going in asking for a face lift down the line, and the doc insisting on a whole new face!)

The emphasis on physical beauty has also given rise to the fast growing industry of k-beauty products. I’ve seen women, and men, do amazing things with cosmetics. They can transform their face with just makeup. That’s great for people who can’t or don’t want to get plastic surgery! Personally, I love k-beauty products. Those Korean cosmetic companies really know their stuff!

Where Did This Pressure Come From?

Every culture has its ideals for beauty. The Korean culture is no different. What is somewhat unique is how far it carries over in to every aspect of life though.

For example, almost all jobs require that you include a picture with your job application. Can you imagine having to attach your picture to every job you’ve ever applied to? I won’t even let anyone see my driver’s license picture!

I understand that if you’re a company, you’d want a certain look to represent your company to the world. Even in the U.S., it’s obvious that some companies make it a point to hire only young and so-called attractive people. The difference is that it’s technically illegal here.

So even if you’ve worked your butt off and achieved the highest academic accolades in Korea, you are likely at a disadvantage if you’re not deemed attractive. (This, of course, depends on what kind of jobs you’re applying for but let’s just say in general, this is the case.) And if it’s difficult for someone like that, then what about all the other people who fall short of that?

The mentality is something like this: If you’re unattractive it must be because your family couldn’t afford to get you plastic surgery, a make over, or whatever. If your family is without means then it must be that they don’t have any connections. If they don’t have connections, then neither do you, and therefore I don’t want to hire someone who doesn’t have any networking connections (i.e. power) who can help this company.

That’s totally forked up, right?

This is why it’s a big deal for young adults graduating high school or college to get plastic surgery and diet. Even if they, or their family, don’t have networking connections, they can use their looks to make connections. And it is a very big deal to get a job because their family probably went into debt paying for English tutors, musical instrument lessons, etc. so that they would be more attractive to college admissions panels. So you see, it’s really so much more than about who’s pretty.

Positive Side to Lookism

If there is a positive to lookism, it may be for health. With the rise of fast food restaurants, not to mention cheesy ddukboki and massive consumption of soju, in combination with sedentary lifestyles (Starcraft and k-drama marathon watching) there’s been an obvious increase in Korean waistlines (unless you’re one of those starving themselves, of course).

So even though a rude comment about being overweight or having ugly under eye bags may seem harsh, it might make someone think twice about what they’re eating or what little sleep they’re getting. And some seemingly superficial symptoms can be indicative of a more serious condition.

If your hair and teeth are falling out and you’re severely overweight, then may be you’re deficient in certain vitamins and minerals and have an overabundance of others. If you have dark circles under your eyes and are lethargic, may be you’re low in iron or something else.

Whatever it is that may be setting your appearance a part from what is considered the norm may be attributed to a health concern. So even though lookism can be harsh and shallow, perhaps if it wasn’t for the fear of judgment, obesity and heart disease would be an epidemic in South Korea as it is here in the U.S.?

Lookism Is Changing

Lookism appears to be changing though. It’s been prevalent in South Korea for a while now. But it may be waning, or perhaps evolving.

Beauty trends change just like fashion trends. You can just get rid of acid wash jeans for whatever wash is in style now. But you can’t exactly get rid of your face and just go get a new one. Skin and cartilage can be manipulated only so many times.

The new trend for actors and idols has been to not get double eyelid surgery anymore. That used to be a right of passage there. Ironically, you’re more likely to be judged for getting it done now.

In the end, there’s just no pleasing people and you might as well do what makes you happy.

Have you gone to Seoul and felt the sting of lookism yourself? Or are you about to go and wondering if you’ll be judged? Share and feel free to ask your concerns in the comments.