3 Reasons Why South Korean Plastic Surgery Is Exceptionally Popular in Asia

Written by Chelsea Kim. Posted in Korean Plastic Surgery

Not seen as a Big Deal: Less stress and less judgment

In a society that so heavily advocates to cosmetic surgery, beauty procedures are not perceived as much of a big deal in South Korea. This is probably a good thing if you had just gotten surgery done, where half your face is bandaged up! Imagine this, you’re walking the streets and yet, no one’s actually treating you as though you are a leper!

This is exactly what Ethel Yeo shares, in an article by Singapore Yahoo Entertainment, titled “More Singaporeans flying to Seoul for plastic surgery”.

“We went out with our bandages and everything after one week of staying in 'hiding', and you know what, no one even looked twice at us. We shopped, ate and had fun. If we did it in Singapore, people would be looking at us like we were zombies or just crazy," said Ethel.

Compared to the culture in a country such as Singapore, cosmetic surgery may be more openly accepted in South Korea. Less judgment, less stress.

Asian Beauty Trends Differ From Western Beauty Trends

If you mention “double eyelid surgery” and “Korean rhinoplasty” in a country like Australia or America, most non-Asians will look at you with a puzzled expression -- unless they’re familiar with modern Asian culture or plastic surgery trends and news.

In Asia, current beauty trends include the appearance of big, double lidded eyes, white skin and a well-defined nose. In America, that may very well be different. Just look at the men portrayed in western media and Hollywood; these men are tanned, muscular and macho. This is vastly different to the "flower boy" that gets fan-girls cooing and swooning over.

For the Overall Experience

Getting beauty procedures done is just one aspect to the overall experience for many travellers. There is much more to revel in; there is also the plentiful of shopping outlets such as the fashion districts: Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Dondaemun Market, to name a few. Also, let’s not forget their unique Korean cuisine as well as the music, culture and various novel sights to see.

These are three reasons why Seoul, South Korea is among the top 3 medical tourism destinations in Asia as well as why South Korean Plastic Surgery is exceptionally popular in Asia.