Last week, we talked about the beauty standard in the context of Asia, particularly its relation to the plastic surgery "obsession" in Korea. Today, I will be talking about a Korean Television Show called Let me In, which reveals the acceptance of plastic surgery in Korean culture, and how plastic surgery can change lives.
TODAY'S SHOW: LET ME IN (LET 美人)
Here's the general idea of the show: a person is given the opportunity to plead their case for receiving plastic surgery in front of the hosts, who sends those they believe deserve the surgery to plastic surgeons. The person then undergoes the transformation, and shows the world their "new and improved" face. Click the photo above for a video that shows how the show basically works.
Many of those who come onto this show have the same story: because of their ugly features, they have been bullied physically, mentally, and emotionally, and they just want to live a life that people can see past their face. After most go under the knife, they thank the hosts with tears of joy. The show ends with the present person shaking their head at an image of their past person in disappointment, confident and ready to start a new life.
This show has received both praise and criticism. But I believe that the fact this show can be at all successful conveys just how much Korea has embraced plastic surgery. Is this a positive thing? Let Me In says yes; plastic surgery can change people's lives for the better. This is, in my opinion, true. People who are close to the standard of beauty in society generally get treated more kindly, tend to get better jobs, and have a higher rate of success. And while there is a negative stigma attached to plastic surgery, I believe that plastic surgery gives people hope, and could very well save a life. The acceptance of plastic surgery has also brought about acceptance of transgender people in Korea-- a famous example is Harisu. Click link for more information on her: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harisu
However, we have to ask the question: why did these people get harassed and their lives ruined in the first place? It is shocking to see how some of the people who come on the show are not even so unattractive-- and yet their stories are just as terrible. It is very possible that this acceptance of plastic surgery has morphed the beauty standard to that which is almost impossible to naturally achieve. Is this a vicious cycle?
Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Until next time,
justajae
This show has received both praise and criticism. But I believe that the fact this show can be at all successful conveys just how much Korea has embraced plastic surgery. Is this a positive thing? Let Me In says yes; plastic surgery can change people's lives for the better. This is, in my opinion, true. People who are close to the standard of beauty in society generally get treated more kindly, tend to get better jobs, and have a higher rate of success. And while there is a negative stigma attached to plastic surgery, I believe that plastic surgery gives people hope, and could very well save a life. The acceptance of plastic surgery has also brought about acceptance of transgender people in Korea-- a famous example is Harisu. Click link for more information on her: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harisu
However, we have to ask the question: why did these people get harassed and their lives ruined in the first place? It is shocking to see how some of the people who come on the show are not even so unattractive-- and yet their stories are just as terrible. It is very possible that this acceptance of plastic surgery has morphed the beauty standard to that which is almost impossible to naturally achieve. Is this a vicious cycle?
Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Until next time,
justajae