When I first read this article, I was reminded immediately of the Korean Drama My ID Is Gangnam Beauty. This Korean drama is a story about a college girl who struggled with what people thought of as “ugly” appearance and underwent plastic surgery to boost self confidence and avoid other people’s negative judgments or bullying. This drama was released in 2018. It is reflective of Korea’s surgery culture and their overall beauty standards. I have been to Korea twice in the recent two years. There are advertisements for plastic surgery clinics in every subway station. It is hard to walk on the street and not see one person who has done plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is normalized. It has even become a ritual for girls to get plastic surgery as their 18th birthday present. The normalization of plastic surgery, however, indicates something bigger. It means their standard of beauty is also unified. Double eyelids, small face, high nose bridge… In a culture so heavily influenced by the media industry, the appearances of K-pop idols and Korean drama actresses are further facilitating ordinary people’s leads to become them, to use them as their models for plastic surgery. Hence, the Korean Drama My ID Is Gangnam Beauty is speaking to this issue of standardized beauty and, more importantly, people’s tendency to judge people who are not qualified as “beautiful.” The consequence of the societal judgment, of course, is people’s sensitivity to these judgments and lack of self esteem when they know that they do not acquire the “beauty” that the society admires. The emergence of this drama shows that there are people who are reflecting upon the societal effect of plastic surgery. It is interesting how the article connects Koreans’ beauty standards to those in America. Regardless of their similarity or difference, I do see how globalization (especially upon feminism) is affecting Korea’s beauty standard for women. You now see Korean idols like Hwasa and Hyolyn who strive for healthy beauty that is characterized by tanned skin, curvy body and distinctive makeup. They defy Korea’s traditional beauty standard, which is pale, skinny and with a specific make up style. They are not intentionally rebelling against the more popular Korean beauty. Rather, they are sending a message, telling their fans and the general audience that you can determine how you want to look like and your confidence should come from within and not other people’s judgment.
The Politics of K-Pop 