STANDARD BELIEVE OR NOT ? BEAUTY K-
BEAUTY STANDARD : KOREAN CULTURE South Korea is one of the Asian countries that has developed its beauty standard and managed to influence different countries.Most of them have double eyelids, v-shaped jaws, small faces, flawless white skin, and slim bodies.The Korean beauty industry is active because of this strict cultural beauty standard. They have endless innovations in beauty trends and Korean beauty products that can enhance one’s appearance. South Korea is known for its extensive skincare and makeup brands. You’ll see a lot of Korean women and men performing extensive skincare regimes in K-dramas or vlogs. NURIN EFFRIENA 2 Korean beauty standards prioritize having a small v-shaped face, fair skin, symmetrical eyebrows, a slim body, and double eyelids. Altogether, these features create a more innocent, young look.The ideal for Korean women is to have “dewy” skin, meaning smooth, hydrated, clear, resilient, and shiny. WHAT ARE THE BASIC KOREAN BEAUTY STANDARD ? BEAUTY STANDARD : KOREAN CULTURE WHAT ARE THE BASIC KOREAN BEAUTY STANDARD ?
BEAUTY STANDARD KOREAN CULTURE NURIN EFFRIENA 3 South Korea is one of the Asian countries that has developed its beauty standard and managed to influence different countries.Most of them have double eyelids, v-shaped jaws, small faces, flawless white skin, and slim bodies.The Korean beauty industry is active because of this strict cultural beauty standard. They have endless innovations in beauty trends and Korean beauty products that can enhance one’s appearance.South Korea is known for its extensive skincare and makeup brands. You’ll see a lot of Korean women and men performing extensive skincare regimes in K-dramas or vlogs.
NURIN EFFRIENA 4 CONTENT What Are The Basic Korean Beauty Standards? 2,3 Beauty Standard Korean Culture 4 History Of Korean Beauty Standards 6,7 K-pop Idols Fitting Korean Beauty Standards 8,9 What are the female beauty standards in Korea ? 10,11,12, 13 14 Plastic Surgery Capital Of The World? What Is The Effect Of These Korean Beauty Standards? 15,16
HISTORY OF KOREAN BEAUTY STANDARD During this era, Korean beauty standards were linked to Confucian philosophy. It means that purity and beauty ideals were connected with each other. The beauty standard during the Joseon Dynasty was related to clear, bright skin, but it’s more complicated than you think.Ancient Koreans believed that a beautiful soul only lives in a beautiful body. In short, you should be beautiful inside and out. During those times, being a beautiful woman also meant being a filial daughter, a good wife to your husband, or a dedicated mother to your children.They also have this Confucian philosophy called Qi, which is a vital force behind every living identity. They believed that this vital force was passed down through generations, so they needed to preserve the body’s original state of purity. This means no cutting and dying hair and no putting a large number of cosmetics while maintaining fair and translucent skin. JOSEON DYNASTY NURIN EFFRIENA 5
After the Joseon Era, the next huge change in Korean beauty standards was during the Japanese colonization. This brought different beauty products from Japan and Western countries. Western beauty standards were also introduced, which has changed the whole Korean beauty standards JAPANESE COLONIZATION MODERN TIMES After the Joseon Era, the next huge change in Korean beauty standards was during the Japanese colonization. This brought different beauty products from Japan and Western countries. Western beauty standards were also introduced, which has changed the whole Korean beauty standards. NURIN EFFRIENA 6
K-pop Idols Fitting Korean Beauty Standards K-pop idols are known for their talents, but they admire another thing from them is how they look. These idols are considered icons in terms of beauty standards and fashion. Here are some of the K-pop idols who are fitting the Korean beauty standards. Jisoo (Blacpink) Jin (BTS) Nayeon (Twice) Eunwoo (ASTRO) Irene (Redvelvet) Jaehyun (NCT) NURIN EFFRIENA 7
K-pop Idols Breaking The Korean Beauty Standards While many people are trying to fit the Korean beauty standards, some people are breaking the Korean beauty standards and adhering to their beauty standards. Here are some of those K-pop idols who are flaunting their own beauty standards: Jennie (Blackpink) Hwasa (Mamamoo) Lee Yong-bok / Felix (Stray Kids) Park Soo-young /Joy (Red Velvet) NURIN EFFRIENA 8
? WHAT ARE THE FEMALE BEAUTY STANDARD 9
The following Korean beauty standard has a V-shaped face. It’s part of having a small face, but Korean beauty standards require a V-shaped face. This is a face having unpronounced jawlines and a pointy chin. Since having a small face is beautiful in South Korea, there are many facial bone contouring surgeries that you can undergo to achieve and flatter facial bone structure. Koreans have also invented chin straps, jawline sheet masks, and massaging roles, among other beauty products. Well, we can’t deny that South Korea is one of the biggest cosmetic markets in the world so, it’s not surprising that they have all these sorts of products. #V-SHAPED 10
#Porcelain White Skin Or Pale Skin One of the most prominent Korean beauty ideals is having pale and flawless skin. If the Western beauty standards favor tan or bronzed skin, South Koreans favor having a porcelain white skin tone. This standard already existed during the ancient Korean era. This standard is deeply rooted in Asian cultures, too.This Korean beauty standard began in the royal era when having flawless white skin was a social class identification. In the past, Koreans having dark skin color were associated with people who worked in agriculture or other intensive labor jobs. So, people with pale skin belonged to the aristocracy or people who were free from labor. 11
# Pointed Nose A small pointy nose is another sophisticated feature that Korean beauty standards require. There are many surgeries or procedures that you can do to achieve this, like Rhinoplasty or nose job. Interestingly, having a big nose was a desirable characteristic during the past centuries, but not now. Having a small pointy nose matches having a small face. 12
#Big Eye South Koreans resort to a youthful and innocent look. Part of achieving this look is having big eyes. It is also referred to as having doe eyes. Koreans usually undergo surgeries to achieve this look. Aside from double eyelid surgery, this other popular procedure involves the injection of fat or filler under the eyes. As a result, it will look like the natural pocket of fat that appears when we smile. 13
#PLASTIC SUGERY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD? #PLASTIC SUGERY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD? Aside from the K-pop industry, K-drama, and cosmetics, South Korea is also known to be the world’s Plastic Surgery Capital. Because of the strict Korean beauty standards, many Korean women, even men, consider undergoing plastic surgery. Many people think that 90% of Koreans have undergone plastic surgery, but it’s not true, although South Korea has the highest rate of plastic surgeries per capita in the world.South Koreans invested in innovations and the development of the Korean beauty industry. Because of this, people from different parts of the world are going to South Korea to undergo medical procedures, which has a huge impact on the Korean government. It brings social and economic advancement to the country. 14
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THESE KOREAN BEAUTY STANDARDS? KOREAN BEAUTY STANDARDS? 15
If you’re in South Korea and are bombarded with all the pictures, ads, and people who constantly say that you’re physically unattractive, this might affect you mentally. You will start believing them and take those words as truth. Because of this societal pressure, you will have this desire to belong, and you’ll do whatever it takes to look beautiful.Some people are encouaged to improve their physical appearance by going on a crazy diet or spending hours applying makeup. But the worst thing is they are pushed to undergo plastic surgery which can be really dangerous. According to a study, the common reason why South Koreans are pusuing plastic surgery is personal dissatisfaction with their external appearance. This is followed by parental and other people’s influence and employment or professional factor. This is why people shouldn’t judge those who undergo plastic surgeries because they all have their reasons.Plastic surgery in South Korea is such a big industry that’s why it’s quite inevitable for some people, especially if they have the means and money to do so. Judging someone based on their physical appearance will not do you any good. It will never make you look even better. The important thing is that you’re happy and comfortable expressing yourself. 16
1717 “Honestly, Korean beauty standards are harsh . People are even putting pressure on non-celebrities to be super skinny, and the standards of thinness are just getting worse. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul . It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.’’