Many Koreans are vain which explains why the country is called the plastic surgery paradise. With more than 1 million plastic surgeries conducted across South Korea yearly, the South Asian country ranks third in total number of cosmetic procedures done, or about five percent of the global total, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
The pretty and handsome faces of Korean celebrities – some of whom could likely had underwent plastic surgery to enhance their face and body – is likely one of the reasons why Hallyu clicked in China. However, a growing number of Chinese women are following the path to the surgeon’s clinic taken by wealth Korean females, Global Times reported.
But because plastic surgery and the average Chinese woman often does not have the financial resources to pay for the procedure, some take shortcuts. For instance, a female Chinese allowed an unscrupulous doctor to implant “Amazingel,” an illegal substance, in her body so her breasts would become bigger. However, after 10 years, it was the woman’s tummy which grew because the implants dropped from her fake breasts to her abdomen.
A 19-year-old Chinese woman went to a plastic surgeon she found on the internet to have her face fixed. But the doctor not only did a poor job in making her prettier but even raped her several times.
According to Seoultouchup, cosmetic surgery prices in Korea begins at $2,000 for eyelid surgery which doubles for a nose job. Hair transplant costs $6,000 minimum and liposuction of the arm, thigh and belly would also make the patient’s wallet or bank account slimmer by $4,000, while for larger breasts, the cost is at least $7,000.
In an article on Global Times, Korean writer Cindy Lee defended people who go through plastic surgery as not being wrong if they want to also be happy and could afford the stiff price of the procedure. Although some Korean have cosmetic surgery to become more attractive and live a happier or more confident life, some do it so they could live a normal life of being employed because a growing number of employers base their hiring on an applicant’s pretty or handsome face.