AsiaNews Magazine Jan10-16,2014 ( Jan 1-7,2014) | Page 56

COVER STORY

January 10-16, 2014

didate if two people were similarly
qualified in other ways.”
Although she may be an extreme
case, surveys show she is not alone
in thinking that good looks are
an asset.
According to a recent survey
conducted by a Web-based recruitment service provider, as many as
30 per cent of university students
would consider getting cosmetic
surgery to increase their chance of
finding employment.
Among local celebrities, plastic
surgery has become so prevalent
that it is perceived by the public as
almost the norm. In areas where
broadcasting stations are located,
it is not unusual to see clinics advertising their plastic surgeons are
being “designated” by this or that
broadcaster.
Celebrity admissions to receiving
cosmetic procedures have also become much more common. While
such revelations were often used in

the past by minor league celebrities as a tactic for gaining public
attention, even full-fledged K-pop
stars have joined the ranks of celebrities who are “out” about their
plastic surgeries.
Celebrities who have recently
admitted to having had cosmetic
surgeries include Super Junior’s
Kim Hee-chul and Minzy (or
Gong Min-ji) of 2NE1.

DISPUTES FLARING UP
OVER TEENS

As cosmetic procedures become more prevalent, the industry is targeting the younger generations.
Marketing measures aimed
at younger age groups include
offering discounts for students
who have taken the annual College Scholastic Ability Test.
Despite the popularity of cosmetic procedures, not everyone,

particularly those of the older
generations, has accepted the
trend.
“I think it’s reckless to cut
bones and put things in your
body just to look better. It’s not
as if your DNA changes,” Choi
Myeong-duk, a 64-year-old retiree, said. He added that he
would oppose the idea of his
children getting plastic surgery, and that cosmetic surgery
should be reserved for people
with deformities.
“I think people are ignoring
the fact that what is on the inside
is more important. Even ugly
people can lead good lives.”
Regardless of the apparent
generation gap in perceptions
about plastic surgery, the industry has become massive. According to the International Society
of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the
value of Korea’s market for related services came in at US$4.5