The Eye of the Beholder

Female beauty in Korea is a topic that is on everyone’s mind. Here, people believe that no one ugly ever did anything good and no one beautiful ever did anything bad. This is reflected in the way women dress, all the time. It’s not unusual to see a mom in heels, full hair and makeup, and a party dress at the grocery store, with the baby, at 11am on a Tuesday. Even if you do see a mom in sweats, those are expensive, coordinated sweats and the hair and the makeup are impeccable. Plus, she’s probably wearing heels.

That said, the Korean standard of female beauty is a little odd by Western standards. Some of it is the same. But, some of it is a little strange to us.

The biggest thing that a Korean woman is judged by is her body. This is right in line with the Western standard of beauty. However, the preferred body structure is a little different. Korean women, ideally, would like to be about 5’3” to 5’6” and very slim. Koreans like a level of slenderness that is nearly impossible for any non Asian woman to achieve. It is a slenderness that is pretty much a combination of both genetics and diet. It’s hard to be that thin and not have the genetic predisposition towards incredibly tiny bones and absolutely no muscle. Basically, the ideal body structure is that of a 14 year old girl or a short runway model. Things like implants are pretty much unheard of in Korea. They do plastic surgery like liposuction and calf muscle shaving for skinnier legs.

The next biggest thing that Korean women are judged by is their skin tone. Koreans like pale skin. In this aspect, Koreans are very different from Americans. In the US, tan skin is worshipped. Americans spend billions on spray tans, tanning beds, bronzers, etc. Koreans find this hilarious! I’ve mentioned American tanning habits to Koreans and their response is always something like “People pay to get tan? But, the sun is free! Why are they spending money on this?” Koreans actually do the opposite. They spend their money on sunscreen, skin whiteners, and parasols.

I like the Korean preference for fair skin. At home, in South Florida, I get a lot of comments about my skin – none of them complimentary. In Korea, people like my skin tone. In fact, the ladies at HomePlus (like a Super Target) go out of their way to help me maintain my pasty pallor. In the spring, when I was shopping for sunscreen, I was at HomePlus trying to read the labels on sunscreen. As I was looking at a bottle of SPF 30, a clerk approached me. She didn’t say a word. She just took that bottle of SPF 30 out of my hand and put it back on the shelf. Next, she took a bottle of SPF 50 from the shelf and put it in my hand. She then gave me a satisfied smile, bowed, and walked away.

The HomePlus ladies also try to sell me whitening creams and lotions. I once even had a student ask me what whitening cream I use. Apparently, the school sent out emails to the parents with a picture of their child’s teacher and a short bio. The little girl’s mom liked my coloring and wanted to know which products I use. (For the record, I just use a parasol and sunscreen. I don’t use the whitening creams.)

The last thing a Korean woman is judged by is her face. The Koreans have sort of a strange facial preference. They like the V Line. A V Line is, basically, a heart shaped face. It’s someone with a wide forehead and a pointy chin. Think of Reese Whitherspoon. Koreans spend a lot of money on plastic surgery to make their jaws and chins fit the V shape. I’ve never heard so many comments on face shape in my life.

This preference also leads to strange pictures. Korean girls love to take pictures either making a kissy face or with their hands on their cheeks. They believe that this makes their chins look pointier.

Another aspect of Korean beauty is the size of the face. Koreans like a small face. It’s actually a little strange to hear things like “Teacher, you have a very small face!” At first, I thought the kid was making fun of me, like when I would tell my brothers that they have big heads. No, it turns out that the kid was giving me a compliment. She likes my small face.

Koreans, like Westerners, prefer big, round eyes. I find this a little odd because, naturally, this isn’t what most Koreans have. I guess people just always want what is rare and different. A huge percentage of Koreans (male and female) get surgery done to their eyes. The most popular is eyelid surgery to get a double eyelid.

A double eyelid is something that pretty much every non East Asian person is born with. Apparently, I’ve had one my whole life and didn’t even know it. Only about 15% to 20% of East Asians have it. Basically, a double eyelid is this extra little crease in our lid area, right about the lashline. It’s only visible at certain angles but, Koreans go crazy for it. They feel that having this little extra crease enhances the eye. Personally, I can’t really tell. I can tell when someone has had their eyes made larger (through a creepy incision at the corner of the eye) but, I can’t spot the double eyelid despite the fact that I have one. To me, it makes no difference. But, it’s a hugely popular plastic surgery here.

Another aspect of the face that Koreans like to reshape is the nose. Koreans like a “high nose.” I’m not exactly sure what this means. I do know that Korean women spend a lot of money on surgeries to get the bridge of the nose made more prominent. In the US, people don’t usually pay to get larger noses so, this preference is a little different than Western ideals.

The overall effect of these surgeries is a little jarring. The women who really go all out end up looking sorta like half Asian Stepford wives. They are pretty but, in a strange way. The larger eyes and bigger nose make them look more Western but, they still kinda look Asian too. It’s confusing.

Now, what does this mean for foreigners? Well, not a whole lot. Basically, if you’re considered attractive in your home country, you’ll probably be considered attractive here too. You’ll just be considered a little fatter here than at home.

Before and After the Double Eyelid Surgery

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A Double Eyelid Kit

It has tape and an applicator to create a temporary double eyelid.

(Edit: People have pointed out that this particular kit is from Japan. I knew that. The writing on the package is Japanese, not Korean. I have seen double eyelid tape in Korea. I just couldn't find a pic online. I feel weird taking pics of double eyelid tape at a store or buying the tape to take pics of at home. )

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Applying the eyelid tape

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A Korean singer and the surgeries she is rumored to have had.

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Miss Korea 2006: Before and After

(Edit: It has been pointed out this is not the same person. I don't know if this is true or not. I stole the graphic from another website. )

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Edit: Many people have complained that the eyelid tape I had was from Japan. Well, here is eyelid tape from Korea. I'm not sure what this really changes but, it has hangul on it.