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.

South Korean former figure skater Yuna Kim is the champion of 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, silver medalist in ladies’ singles in Sochi, Russia, champion of the Four Continents, three-time champion in Grand Prix Final and many more. 

If Rachel Miyung Joo, in Travelling Ladies, was to feature Se Ri Pak as the chief model to exemplify Korean athletes’ role in glorifying Koreanness and nationalizing Korea globally in the late 1990s, Yuna Kim is certainly the new shining star of Korea beginning from the year of 2010. From the moment she stood on the international stage of 2010 Winter Olymics and won the medal, she became more than an athlete. In a similar way as Se Ri Pak, she became the ambassador of Korea. Her championship in a world wide competition secured Korea’s status in the international market. 

Korean fans adore her and refer to her as “Queen Yuna,” not solely because they all appreciate her figure skating skills. What they truly fancyher for is the Korean pride they derive through her championship in the global stage. As Joo quotes in Travelling Ladies, “In affective economies, emotions do things, and they align individuals with communities—or boldly space with social space—through the very intensity of their attachments” (Ahmed 2004). In front of millions of international viewers along with contestants from more than 30 other countries, she showcased Korea’s female elegance and Korea’s diligent work ethic. Korean fans’ emotional attachment to her originates from this eventual recognition of their Korean traits and the resulting acquisition of national pride. Se Ri Pak and many other Korean athletes have opened up gates for this emotional attachment to form. In 2010, Yuna just opened another.

Korea’s media industry and government further idolize her as the ambassador of Korea. According to Forbes, Yuna Kim is the seventh highest paid female athlete in the world. She became the face of leading brands such as Nike, Hyundai, Korean Air and Kookmin Bank. These brands, especially, are Korea’s influential brands that target not only Koreans themselves but also attain significant levels of global exposure. On top of these, perhaps one of the greatest milestones in her career was her position as the official ambassador for the 2018 PyeongChang games. The title just further shows how much Korea as a nation values her. Her frequent attendance and exposure on the mentioned media platforms idolize her as a pure, angelic Korean guardian that holds an important mission to foster Korea’s cultural and economic growth. 

Today, Yuna Kim is a name familiar to many people around the world and not just Koreans.  

News Source: https://www.bustle.com/p/yuna-kims-net-worth-speaks-to-just-how-idolized-the-ex-skater-is-8175944