It must be said that when Korea or North Korea was still united, there was a saying: "men from the South, women from the North." "Men from the South" refers to men in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, which is now South Korea, especially including large cities like Busan and Degu, known for their strong masculine appearance and straightforward, somewhat liberal way of speaking. "Women from the North" here refers to women from the northern provinces, meaning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea today, when the country has been divided. However, when talking about the North in this idiom, Koreans often think of the Gangen area or regions of North Korea today, and they certainly do not want to think of North Korea.

Women from the North are said to have a gentle and delicate beauty, with smooth white skin that fits traditional beauty standards. This saying is no longer true in South Korea, because everywhere in South Korea, there are men from the South and men from the North, as well as women from the South and women from the North, all adhering to a common beauty standard. As a result, when you go out, everyone seems to look alike.

Why are Koreans addicted to cosmetic surgery?

First, let's go back to the feudal era in Korea, when the beauty of Korean women was encapsulated in quite simple standards of East Asian women: bright white skin, full red lips, and usually a slim figure. Women also had few options or needs for cosmetic surgery because society at that time was traditional, where appearance only needed to meet certain standards, and to be more precise, cosmetic surgery technology had not yet developed. But modern society has changed rapidly after Korea went through the Korean War and the process of rebuilding the country.

Western values began to penetrate strongly, and Western beauty standards such as big eyes, high noses, and slim faces gradually became popular in Korean culture. That was when the idea of using knives and scalpels began to take root. After the Korean War, many American military doctors stayed in Korea to perform reconstructive surgeries for injured soldiers. Western surgical techniques began to spread from here, and many people saw an opportunity, even those who were not injured but just wanted to fix their appearance; gradually, cosmetic surgery became a beauty option for Koreans.

Especially in the 1990s, when South Korea began to open up and the economy boomed. People started to have more money and higher incomes, and the concern for appearance also increased. Isn't it the same in Vietnam? When the economy booms, it’s similar. Initial surgeries like double eyelid surgery and nose lifts became trends, and more and more young people wanted to have appearances like celebrities in movies or to look as beautiful as in music videos. Thus, the Korean entertainment industry became the spark for the cosmetic surgery storm. From K-pop idols to K-drama actors, all appeared with flawless appearances. Watching Korean movies, it’s hard to find anyone unattractive; v-line faces, bright skin, and big double eyelids seem to become the standards that many people want to pursue.

Celebrities like Kim Tae Hee, Song Hye Kyo, or famous idols like BTS and Blackpink are all seen as beauty icons in Korea. Many fans, especially young people, have sought out cosmetic surgery centers with the desire to look like their idols. "Make me look like my idol," and the popular surgeries in Korea include double eyelid surgery, nose lifts, and v-line jawline. Just look around Seoul, and you will immediately see advertisements for cosmetic clinics on every street corner. People jokingly say that the number of these advertisements is no different from the number of pho shop advertisements in Hanoi. There is even an area dubbed the "heart of the scalpel," which we will mention later, where there are hundreds of cosmetic surgery centers and beauty salons.

Many foreigners, especially from China and Japan, also flock here to enhance their beauty, and now there are even many Vietnamese people coming to Korea to look better. For Koreans, beauty is a standard. South Korea is a highly competitive society, one of the highest in the world. In a culture that values appearance and status, many believe that a beautiful appearance will give them more opportunities in life. This pressure to be beautiful comes not only from the desire to look good but also from family, friends, and employers. Many Korean companies even require candidates to submit portrait photos along with their job applications, the shinier the better; a beautiful face can create a good first impression, leading many to feel that cosmetic surgery is necessary to secure a good job.

Thus, one person undergoes cosmetic surgery, then another, and the whole society desires surgery. Cosmetic surgery is no longer a strange or negatively judged thing in Korea; it has become a part of daily life. Parents even gift their daughters cosmetic surgery packages as graduation gifts. They believe that with a beautiful appearance, their children will be more confident and have more opportunities for success. Initially, it was daughters, but now both sons and men in Korea also undergo cosmetic surgery quite normally. This has truly transformed Korea into the center of the cosmetic surgery industry.

Not only Koreans but also foreigners flock here to beautify themselves; the prices here are quite affordable, while the quality is ensured by a team of highly skilled doctors and modern equipment. After all, they have done many surgeries and have high practical experience. A double eyelid surgery, the most popular cosmetic surgery, costs about $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the complexity. This is significantly lower than prices in Western countries.

And when mentioning cosmetic surgery in Korea, one must mention Gangnam, the richest and busiest area in Seoul, famous for its hundreds of cosmetic surgery clinics. Gangnam, which you see in "Gangnam Style," is dubbed the holy land of scalpel, where everyone walks in and leaves with a completely new appearance. Advertisements for beauty services are plastered on every building. Just strolling around Gangnam, you will see people who have just had facial surgeries, bandaged up, looking like brand new products, perhaps hiding a very bright smile underneath. The most popular services here include double eyelid surgery; double eyelid surgery is the top choice, as big round eyes are always the dream of many Koreans, and this is the most performed surgery in this country. Koreans have their own unique eye characteristics, and they prefer surgery to eliminate those features.

Next is nose lifting. Koreans generally have low noses, so nose lifting is also a hot service; a high, long nose that harmonizes with the face helps everyone feel more confident. Then there’s the v-line jaw, a slim face, and a pointed chin, which are the luxurious standards among Korean youth. Many are willing to endure pain to sculpt their jaws and chins to achieve the perfect look. The cosmetic surgery industry in Korea not only serves its citizens but also attracts international tourists. Specifically, every year, more than 60,000 foreigners come to Korea for cosmetic surgery. The main reasons are good services, highly skilled doctors, and reasonable costs, as mentioned. Some large clinics in Seoul and in the Gangnam area even offer all-in-one services, including surgery, hotel accommodations, and even interpreters for foreign clients. After beautifying in Seoul, one can also take the opportunity to travel. Truly a two-in-one deal.

Currently, this industry is still developing strongly and shows no signs of slowing down. In Korea, with the advancement of technology and surgical techniques, people can expect new methods that are less painful, less invasive, more effective, and with fewer risks. For Koreans, cosmetic surgery is an essential part of life. Another important factor is the spread of social media and beauty blogs; who doesn’t want to post beautiful pictures on social media? Many young Koreans share their surgical journeys online. Photos before and after surgery, as well as recovery processes, not only make cosmetic surgery more relatable but also encourage others to boldly try to improve their appearance.

In summary, the addiction of Koreans to cosmetic surgery is not just a temporary trend but stems from historical stories, cultural influences, and social pressures from a feudal society with beauty standards. Traditional Korea has evolved into a modern nation where perfect appearances are highly valued. However, it cannot be denied that with the development of the entertainment industry and beauty standards, cosmetic surgery is increasingly becoming an essential part of the lives of Koreans today. Whatever one does, they must first undergo cosmetic surgery to look beautiful.