Korean Beauty Standards
South Korea’s beauty industry has been booming over the past few years. With the beauty market valued at 10 million dollars, South Korea has grown to become one of the beauty capitals of the world. The people of South Korea generally place a huge emphasis on their looks and appearances.
A walk down the many shopping districts in Seoul would show you that South Korea does not take its beauty and skin care regimes lightly. Rows and blocks of beauty stores are lined up in these shopping districts. They carry local brands like Etude House, TONY MOLY and Skin Food as well as many international brands. It is like beauty heaven. Other than just make up products, skin care products are huge in South Korea as fair poreless skin is seen as ideal. To achieve the ideal look, many also go to plastic surgeons to permanently alter their looks. South Korea has one of the highest rates of plastic surgery per capita, surpassing the United States. Some reports suggest that there are 500 aesthetic centers in just Gangnam alone. Most do not think negatively of plastic surgery as long as it is not too excessive.
The ideal Korean girl would be one who has fair skin, big eyes and a V shaped face. She should also be tall and slim. Walking down any shopping district in Seoul would show you that the people there really put a lot of effort into dressing up. This applies not only to women but also the men there. South Korea’s beauty standards have resulted in creative, fun styles in everyday life. The streets of Singapore pale in contrast. Personally, I find that the world of beauty and fashion can really empower someone and help them feel more confident in their own skin. If changing one’s appearance can help them feel more confident and comfortable, they should be able to do so without judgment. In Singapore, one could go out bare faced and it would not be weird but in Korea, one would have to put on make up before heading out. Even if it meant waking up before the sun rises.
A walk down the many shopping districts in Seoul would show you that South Korea does not take its beauty and skin care regimes lightly. Rows and blocks of beauty stores are lined up in these shopping districts. They carry local brands like Etude House, TONY MOLY and Skin Food as well as many international brands. It is like beauty heaven. Other than just make up products, skin care products are huge in South Korea as fair poreless skin is seen as ideal. To achieve the ideal look, many also go to plastic surgeons to permanently alter their looks. South Korea has one of the highest rates of plastic surgery per capita, surpassing the United States. Some reports suggest that there are 500 aesthetic centers in just Gangnam alone. Most do not think negatively of plastic surgery as long as it is not too excessive.
The ideal Korean girl would be one who has fair skin, big eyes and a V shaped face. She should also be tall and slim. Walking down any shopping district in Seoul would show you that the people there really put a lot of effort into dressing up. This applies not only to women but also the men there. South Korea’s beauty standards have resulted in creative, fun styles in everyday life. The streets of Singapore pale in contrast. Personally, I find that the world of beauty and fashion can really empower someone and help them feel more confident in their own skin. If changing one’s appearance can help them feel more confident and comfortable, they should be able to do so without judgment. In Singapore, one could go out bare faced and it would not be weird but in Korea, one would have to put on make up before heading out. Even if it meant waking up before the sun rises.
However, behind the glitz and glamour, there lies something much darker. Due to the pressure to look good all the time, it is no surprise that many feel trapped by these narrow standards of beauty. It is not uncommon to hear relatives commenting on how young girls should go under the knife to change their appearances just so that they will look prettier. According to some research, 1 in 5 women have gone under the knife and males make up 15% of the market. The double eyelid surgery is one of the more popular procedures that involve cutting around the eye to form a crease and tapping it back so that it forms a double eyelid permanently. This crease however, goes unnoticed in the Western world. These surgeries are usually done early in life and many receive surgery as a graduation gift when they finish high school.
Some of these narrow standards of beauty are also extremely unhealthy and unrealistic. The ideal height for a Korean girl would be around 166-167cm and they should be around 47-48kg. This would mean that in order to look “pretty” one has to be underweight. Young girls would also be laughed at or teased if they have darker skin tones. From young, they are brought up to think that they do not look good enough or fair enough or slim enough. This can form some serious self-esteem issues.
Appearances are so important that many job and school applications require a headshot of the applicant. This is also one of the reasons why so many go for plastic surgery as it might improve their job prospects if they look good on their application forms. This might be seen as discrimination in some parts of the world but in South Korea it is just part of everyday life.
Some of these narrow standards of beauty are also extremely unhealthy and unrealistic. The ideal height for a Korean girl would be around 166-167cm and they should be around 47-48kg. This would mean that in order to look “pretty” one has to be underweight. Young girls would also be laughed at or teased if they have darker skin tones. From young, they are brought up to think that they do not look good enough or fair enough or slim enough. This can form some serious self-esteem issues.
Appearances are so important that many job and school applications require a headshot of the applicant. This is also one of the reasons why so many go for plastic surgery as it might improve their job prospects if they look good on their application forms. This might be seen as discrimination in some parts of the world but in South Korea it is just part of everyday life.
As a Singaporean, I think that Korean makeup is really interesting due to the many different products that help improve all aspects of your face and body. From Skincare to all the colorful makeup that has cute characters on them. Especially those that use natural ingredients like fruit sheet masks or green tea mists. Korean makeup products are also extremely popular here with every mall hosting at least 1 Korean makeup brand. Singaporeans also watch a lot of K-dramas and take inspiration from there.
Personally, I am unable to wake up before the sun rises just so that I can put on makeup. But I do understand that it is a different context both in South Korea and Singapore. The weather in Singapore is not suitable for a lot of makeup as it is hot and humid. Whatever that is on your face will melt right off. In Singapore, many often only apply full-faced makeup on important days such as graduations or weddings. Every day makeup is very simple or just no makeup. As for fashion, I think it is more difficult to be “fashionable” in Singapore due to our weather. We only have summer fashion to experiment with as it is difficult to layer clothing in this 30 degree weather. Thus many Singaporeans get lazy and do not put in as much thought to their dressing. Of course there are still many fashionable Singaporeans that are able to pull off trendy summer styles. I think that fall and winter clothes look the best! But it is a pity that I am unable to wear such styles in Singapore.
Plastic surgery may not be as widely accepted here in Singapore as we, too are a conservative nation but do not experience the same rate of plastic surgery as South Korea. For example, when local celebrity blogger XiaXue had her first plastic surgery documented on her web show, many directed hate comments at her. Some Singaporeans will see plastic surgery as being fake but personally, I see no problem with plastic surgery. Everyone has the right to their own bodies and what they do with their own bodies should be their own business as long as it is safe. If plastic surgery can help boost someone’s confidence and help them be more comfortable in their own skin then it is great!
It is wonderful to see people expressing themselves with fun clothing and makeup. However, I think it is sad to see people get so upset about their appearances. Hopefully more people will come to embrace how they look and not be constrained by narrow standards of beauty!
Writer : Amidabelle
Personally, I am unable to wake up before the sun rises just so that I can put on makeup. But I do understand that it is a different context both in South Korea and Singapore. The weather in Singapore is not suitable for a lot of makeup as it is hot and humid. Whatever that is on your face will melt right off. In Singapore, many often only apply full-faced makeup on important days such as graduations or weddings. Every day makeup is very simple or just no makeup. As for fashion, I think it is more difficult to be “fashionable” in Singapore due to our weather. We only have summer fashion to experiment with as it is difficult to layer clothing in this 30 degree weather. Thus many Singaporeans get lazy and do not put in as much thought to their dressing. Of course there are still many fashionable Singaporeans that are able to pull off trendy summer styles. I think that fall and winter clothes look the best! But it is a pity that I am unable to wear such styles in Singapore.
Plastic surgery may not be as widely accepted here in Singapore as we, too are a conservative nation but do not experience the same rate of plastic surgery as South Korea. For example, when local celebrity blogger XiaXue had her first plastic surgery documented on her web show, many directed hate comments at her. Some Singaporeans will see plastic surgery as being fake but personally, I see no problem with plastic surgery. Everyone has the right to their own bodies and what they do with their own bodies should be their own business as long as it is safe. If plastic surgery can help boost someone’s confidence and help them be more comfortable in their own skin then it is great!
It is wonderful to see people expressing themselves with fun clothing and makeup. However, I think it is sad to see people get so upset about their appearances. Hopefully more people will come to embrace how they look and not be constrained by narrow standards of beauty!
Writer : Amidabelle