Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Ban Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is no longer new in this era. Nowadays, it is considered rather "normal" for people to undergo plastic surgeries. Well, it is true that everyone has the right to decide their preferences and actions, since nobody gets to decide their appearance from birth. Some people are born with wide eyes, while some are born with small. Some are born with a round face, and some people are blessed with those features that make someone be considered as "beautiful".


This case of the obsession with appearance is most commonly found in South Korea. Starting from a few years ago, Korean pop (or K-pop for short), a musical genre originating in South Korea, has become one of South Korea’s greatest export for its profitability for the country due to its popularity around the world. K-pop is very famous for its unique concept in making music; the sound, the spectacular dance choreography  and most of all, their beautiful idols.

 
 
As we all know, K-pop idols are flawless in looks. But I believe most of you (especially the K-pop lovers) have heard about the rumors concerning how our beloved idols weren't always that pretty/ handsome. As I browse through the world of internet, I saw many before-after photos of Korean Idols who went through plastic surgery, and believe me; the surgeons there must be very expert in their field for the remarkable change in those idols’ faces, hence why the South Korea is often called as the “Plastic Nation”.

 
 
In my opinion, this act of change towards self in order to be as what they call beautiful is in no way useful or even a healthy idea to have. On some occasion or occurrence it may be okay to do a plastic surgery (such as if you had an accident or you’re a worldwide criminal), but to me, having a plastic surgery; it’s just the same as covering your face with wax. It’s eerie, and it’s not even you! This is the reason why I created this blog; to ban plastic surgery!

 
 
The worse thing is; this whole plastic surgery idea has entered into the mind of youths in South Korea as well. Not just those involved in entertainment and medias, colleagues, even students in high school are also influenced by the new surgery trend. According to an article I read, there’s a saying about if you want to success in Korea, beauty is the key. Don’t you think this madness should stop?

 
 
Many people (especially those who undergo the surgery) may not realize it, but according to some religious group, plastic surgery is actually a sinful practice. I think it’s true, since it’s the same like you’re ungrateful for the face that you’re given with. Again, if it’s necessary, you may do it. But to turn your whole face into something worth being called as K-pop Idols, can’t you see it? You look like clones!

 
 

 
 

 
 
Why don’t Korean music industries run in a fair play, real competition? Isn't it way too easy and unfair if you can become an artist just by simply having your eyes done, nose lifted, face sharpened, etc.?I think the mindset of Koreans here is very one-tracked and unprofessional. Think of it this way, maybe the reward is tantalizing, I mean, who would refuse to have a beautiful face? But if the face you have is unnatural and it’s made in a very risky way; do you really think it’s worth it?

 
 
How about in the future then? Plastic don’t last forever. You got cut by a knife and had your very bones shaved down but as time goes by your looks won’t be as fascinating as when you walked out of the clinic. As a matter of fact, this will carry on to your children in the future too! Plastic surgery doesn't involve the genes. It only creates a change on what’s on the surface, not your DNA as well. What if they get bullied for looking so different from their parents who are beautiful, while they look like someone you long time ago, covered in plastic?

 
 

 
 

 
 
Imperfection is normal. Stop sacrificing so much to fix (in an unnatural way that is) your flaws, stop wearing masks! I wish that after reading my blog people would realize that plastic surgery is not necessary; surgeons are not the solution!


 
 
 
     references:
  • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/kpop    
  • http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/dl-opinion/kpop-perfection-spurs-plastic-surgery-boom-20130318-2gak8.html                                                                                                

Monday, April 29, 2013

2nd article summary

http://gawker.com/plastic-surgery-blamed-for-making-all-miss-korea-contes-480907455

*South Korea has the highest rate of plastic surgery per capita in the entire world.
*This has caused the Miss Korea beauty pageant into a clone parade.
*Their before-after photos are still unclear in whether they are just photoshop/makeup effects or they had a plastic surgery.
*Some people said that the reason they all look similar is because they undergo the same surgeries and their surgeons follow the same formulas in doing their faces, and that in Korea, having plastic surgery is as simple as wearing makeup.
*The opposite side insisted that they found all these similar faces rather eerie.

1st article summary

http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/dl-opinion/kpop-perfection-spurs-plastic-surgery-boom-20130318-2gak8.html


* Korean tends to be superficial and obsessed with looks to “look more western”
* Some reports put the number of South Korean who have had a cosmetic procedure at one in five
* According to The Economist, South Korea has the highest rate of cosmetic procedures per capita in the world
* Ninety per cent of the clinic’s (Rhee Se Whan’s clinic) are under 30 and of them, half are under 18.
* The plastic surgery is caused by the wish of becoming like Nicole Kidman, with her high nose, big eyes, slim jaw and white skin as considered the pinnacle of beauty.
* As people see the change of before and after photos of K-pop stars, they want to be pretty as well, hence causing the plastic surgery.
* It is believed that in order to succeed in the pop industry or other industries, you must be beautiful, and if like most Koreans you are not born with these features, you can and should change them.

* The plight for perfection has influenced the youth'mindsets.
* These points therefore created a very ideal standard of beauty in Korea.