Charming by Nature - A Handbook of Charm for Korean Women

Author: Zhang Chi, Zhang Jun / Country:
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: It is undeniable that women love beauty, but the Korean women are willing to inject toxic substances into their bodies for beauty—it is simply incredible. Subcutaneous injection of one of the world's most toxic bacteria, the "Type A Staphylococcus Toxic Case," can eliminate wrinkles, rejuvenate the skin, make the face more delicate and radiant, and even achieve "eternal youth." However, this "toxin-based beauty" method is extremely expensive. Despite this, it cannot stop women from pursuing beauty. This toxic bacteria subcutaneous injection beauty method was once popular in South Korea. A fashion designer in her late 30s received facial skin toxin injections and noticed her skin became fair, smooth, and radiant. She would tell everyone, "My friends were very surprised to see me and said I looked at least 10 years younger." Her excitement was palpable. A professor from the prestigious women's university, Ewha Womans University, conducted a survey on Korean women and found that only 1% were satisfied with their appearance. Korean women generally lack confidence in their looks. As a result, the plastic surgery and beauty industry flourished in South Korea. In the past, plastic surgery and beauty were limited to female celebrities in the entertainment industry. Now, with Korean women's pursuit of beauty, plastic surgery has become a part of everyday life. Plastic surgery clinics are everywhere. Not only women but also many men have joined the plastic surgery trend. Things like double eyelids, nose jobs, and ear piercing are no longer considered major surgeries but rather routine beauty treatments. Why is plastic surgery so popular in South Korea? On one hand, the increasing social competitiveness, especially in employment and dating, plays a role. In South Korea, there is a strong emphasis on "appearance." Many female college graduates, instead of looking for jobs, first undergo plastic surgery at hospitals. They will even undergo minor adjustments to their faces and "three measurements" (breast, waist, and hips) if they are slightly dissatisfied. Some even go to extremes, undergoing a full-body transformation until they are satisfied, before confidently entering the workforce. For employers, selecting employees is also based on appearance. They believe that beautiful female employees bring higher benefits to the company. For example: restaurant female servers—only those who are attractive can attract more customers; female cashiers in department stores—the more beautiful, the more likely they are to draw customers. In South Korea, there is a saying, "Lazy people can be forgiven, but ugly people cannot." This idea is deeply ingrained, and women naturally pay close attention to their appearance. Some facial flaws can be covered with makeup, but others cannot and require plastic surgery. South Korea's plastic surgery technology is advanced: first, the equipment is state-of-the-art; second, the plastic surgeons have exquisite skills. Korean plastic surgeons are even more skilled in facial surgery than those in Western countries. They are renowned for their delicate techniques and excellent service. The results are excellent and last long. The reasons why women from around the world, especially Asian women, are eager to travel to South Korea: first, shopping; second, plastic surgery. In South Korea, plastic surgery is cheaper and faster. For example, the "lunchtime wrinkle removal" procedure, as the name suggests, involves completing facial wrinkle removal during a lunch break. This procedure uses specialized equipment, requires no incisions or stitches, and leaves no visible traces of wrinkle removal. As a result, many women join "tourism beauty" groups organized by travel agencies, where they can shop for affordable South Korean products and undergo plastic surgery at the same time—getting the best of both worlds. It is clear that a beautiful face is crucial for Korean women. This is the secret behind the abundance of beautiful women in South Korea today. P81-P82