In South Korea there is a strange dichotomy when it comes to body modification and the ways that citizens may choose to alter their appearance. whether temporarily or permanently. In South Korea as a whole. there is somewhat of a social standard that one is expected to uphold while they move throughout society. This standard is that your looks do not stray too far off from those of the general population. In other words. any modifications should be subtle and virtually unnoticeable. It is for this reason that there is an intense stigma against modifications involving tattoos and piercings but significantly less when it comes to cosmetic procedures.
Body Modification The cosmetic surgery industry in South Korea is so greatly utilized …show more content…
much like those of the rest of the world. have begun shifting toward a more Western standard of beauty (Swami. Hwang. and Jung. 2012). Their standards. formerly one of a slightly plump body and a round face. have changed to a slim figure and more European features (Swami. Hwang. and Jung. 2012; Baer. 2015). It is due to this shift in societal standards that cosmetic procedures have become more prevalent. In South Korea. their market is heavily competitive and since a majority of job applications in South Korea call for a picture to be sent in as well. one’s physical appearance has become almost as important as their credentials (Baer. 2015; Swami. Hwang. and Jung. 2012). In order to be competitive in the corporate and even academic world. it is important that one is aesthetically ideal. As more of your peers. also known as your competition in a corporate arena. begin to undergo cosmetic procedures. the pressure for you to do so in order to stay competitive increases as well. So from the viewpoint of families. they have to ensure that their children are attractive so that they can succeed in the future; it would be neglectful for them not to get their child this procedure (Baer. 2015). This is why cosmetic procedures are given to youth as middle school graduation presents and birthday