ZE:A’s Hwang Kwanghee Stands Proud Behind His Plastic Surgery Procedures

Written by Seoul TouchUp. Posted in Korean Plastic Surgery

If you have ever felt insecure about the way you look, and you probably have done so at some point in your life, you are definitely not alone. No matter how much we try to pursue the world that physical beauty should never be a primary factor to distinguish a person’s worth, we are still failing to convince the majority in believing the same thing. You cannot choose the way that you will look when you are born, and as you age, your appearance will change due to both genetic and environmental factors. And yet, even though so many of us have the same feelings of insecurity and a hope that one day we can change and be happy about how we look, we tend to condemn others who have gained the courage to undergo plastic surgery and to pursue the look that they have always been hoping for. Such an unhealthy attitude towards the way that other people live their life is preventing everyone from achieving their goals, and this is especially true in the world of Korean idols. With careers that place them continuously under the spotlight and free scrutiny from everyone around them, it is not wonder that they can often suffer from low self-esteem. ZE:A’s Hwang Kwanghee is only one example of an idol who didn’t feel like he quite fitted in in the idol world, and who decided to be brave about his decision and to change what he didn’t love about himself.

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China Has Found its Own Gangnam Style

Written by Seoul TouchUp. Posted in Korean Plastic Surgery

We’ve all heard of the infamous Gangnam Style now that has reached over 2 trillion views on youtube, as of late. The music video’s theme centred on Gangnam-gu, one of the top 3 medical tourism destinations in Asia.

Perhaps close to Gangnam Style's whimsical music video, comes China's very own "Gangnam Style". Hailing from China, the Chopstick Brothers have brought about a surreal and zany six-minute clip, called “Little Apple” that starts with a botched plastic surgery operation.

What comes about next is a series of random, whimsical scenes ranging from the duo dressing up as mermaids and sprawling naked in the Garden of Eden. No joke. The lyrics go along the lines of, “You’re my little apple, you’re my little apple.”

In China, it is said to be embarrassing to display public affection on your partner – but this video ignores the social norm altogether. It has no doubt become a hit song in all of China. The difference between Xiao Pingguo (Little Apple) and Psy’s Gangnam Style is the lack of modern, Westernized elements.

So far, it has had over three million hits but is blocked in China.

How great is it? Hate it or like it? Barf-worthy or praise-worthy? Watch it to find out!

 

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An Update on South Korea’s Medical Tourism Industry in 2014

Written by Seoul TouchUp. Posted in Korean Plastic Surgery

The Financial Times has gone into great detail on South Korea’s ambitions in medical tourism. If you’re curious but lack the time to read its entirety, no fear! In this post, we will summarize it all!

• South Korea has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, causing their general population to age more rapidly than any other advanced nation.
• It is fast becoming an Image conscious culture, where how one presents himself or herself even on a CV can make or break a successful application.
• There is a huge demand for and continual improvement on the country’s medical tourism, pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries.
• Indeed, if you’ve already guessed – the popularity of Korean cosmetic services owes its success to South Korean pop music and television shows.
• To add on, their ambitions go beyond cosmetic surgery, to include special international health centres; hospitals that promise patients from developed nations with treatments that rival the world’s richest countries, at a significantly lower price.
• The Korea Tourism Organisation foresees that the yearly number of medical tourists will increase from 399,000 (last year’s figure), to 998,000 by 2020.
• The government has tried to attract foreign hospital operators to create establishments in parts of the nations’ special economic zones. Take Jeju island for example; there was one such proposal back this year – a hospital that was to be build on Jeju island. However, the ministry has blocked this Chinese firm’s plans for the hospital as these people were not qualified to carry out said plan.
• Apparently, Korea is behind other leading countries in medical technology – compared to say Germany. But this is a work in progress and according to Jin Ki-nam, a public health professor, he reckons that the sector can benefit from the state’s support – and things can definitely change for the better here.

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Statistics Show an Upsurge in Chinese Tourists Visiting Korea

Written by Seoul TouchUp. Posted in Korean Plastic Surgery

It’s been known for the last couple of years now that Chinese tourists are choosing Korean doctors.

At the start of the year, we’ve talked about the benefits of plastic surgery in Korea for wealthy Chinese travellers.

In the last year, there were 24,075 people who travelled to Korea. In that lot, a total of 67% were from China. Compared to 2009, that figure alone is twenty times higher than the mere 791 Chinese patients in 2009. But with such a huge number where the plastic surgery market thrives, several alarming risks arise, namely, the rise of illegal practices in the cosmetic surgery industry.

 Disclaimer: (The picture above was derived from the blogosphere and is not associated with Seoul TouchUp)

“Excessive commission fees to illegal brokers, giving too much ananesthesiao hide ghost surgeries or ghost doctors, and unlawful advertisements are only a few of the problems,” said lawmaker Nam Yun In-soon.

Despite these risks, many still flock to Seoul, with the belief that Korean medical technology is more developed. Take Li Xue for example, who suffered from a chronic sense of inferiority. Then, she went to Seoul to correct her previously protruding mouth.

“I can’t see the difference in my personality, but my friends say that I smile more often since the surgery, and that I’ve become more extroverted,” she said.

As is the case for plenty travelers in Seoul, the practice of “doctor shopping” is a crucial point before and after their travels, which could make or break the entire investment. Which is why many are weighing the pros and cons of traveling to Seoul alone, doing everything on their own, from research to traveling to the clinic, to negotiating with doctors – or, getting help from a medical travel agency. Each has their pros and cons, and in the next couple of weeks, we will examine this in detail!

Leave a comment below, we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Medical Disputes Over Cosmetic Surgery on the Rise

Written by Seoul TouchUp. Posted in Korean Plastic Surgery

According to the Korea Herald, medical disputes over plastic surgery are on the rise in South Korea.

Just last week, a woman in her 50's had died of dyspnea during a liposuction procedure in Seoul. This is why plastic surgery is one of the ten things you should always pay full price for, no matter what great bargain you are offered. Even so, there is an increasing number of cases report disappointing results and undesirable side effects from Gangnam plastic surgery.

According to lawmaker Nam Yoon, the reasons for this is often due to a lack of government safety regulations, as well as the many advertisements that say nothing about the side effects.

With an abundance of choices available in South Korea, one may think this is a blessing, but it can be a tumultuous task to find the one for you. In fact, more and more people are deciding to consult a mediation agency after receiving plastic surgery, instead of just going about it alone.

If you’re curious, the exact figure is a 64.6 percent increase from the year 2012 to 2013.

The largest number of disputes came from patients who had done rhinoplasty, followed by double eyelid surgery, and then breast augmentation.

Plastic surgery is no walk in the park. To ensure your safety and well-being, find out about the possible side effects before and after surgery from reputable sources.

In response to Nam Yoon’s reports, the Korean Medical Association has decided that they will make sure that all clinics who perform these surgeries which require a general anaesthesia, will be fully equipped with emergency medical supplies.

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