Op-Ed: A Discussion On Beauty
What is the price of beauty? This Opinion Editorial deals with the subject of beauty in the eyes of netizens and the overall message they convey to the public.
I think we can all agree that (1) netizens are crazy, (2) they are a formidable source of power, and (3) have absolutely no qualms about hiding their sharp, unforgiving tongues (er, fingers). Any way you look at it they’re generally an honest, blunt, and sometimes downright mean bunch of people. Due to their influence, it almost seems like they set the standards in Korean society. It may all come down to differences of opinion, but netizens are confusing and hypocritical at times, especially in their views on beauty.
The topic of beauty doesn’t grow old on the interwebs, especially debates on who’s plastic and who’s a “natural beauty”. It’s also fun and fascinating to see our favorite stars without their usual makeup. In one aspect, I see it as a way for fans to become closer to their idols. The gloss of beauty, that glamorous veneer, is no longer a standing wall between them, and for a moment celebrities become “one of us.”
But the tireless netizens don’t seem to want that connection. They are always on the prowl, pouncing on almost every star’s pre-debut pictures and comparing them with present-day photos. Diagrams are charted with the evolution of a celebrity’s face from childhood to adulthood. Round after round of finger-pointing begins at which star did what to their eyes, nose, jaw line, etc. And then another round seems to be dedicated to the ones who are “too ugly” to even be considered a celebrity. The standards of beauty appear to be established, except they come across in mixed, jumbled messages.
Celebrities are praised if they’re gorgeous from childhood and onward:
Goo Hye Sun
Or bashed if there are suspicions that so-and-so OBVIOUSLY got something done:
T-ara’s Ji Yeon
Idols are criticized if their bodies are imperfect:
SNSD’s Tiffany
And sometimes even complimented if they become prettier after one or two (or more) procedures:
Lee Ayumi
This isn’t just in regards to plastic surgery. Weight loss plays a huge role in achieving beauty as well. We’ve all seen pictures of Moon Geun Young and Jung Ryu Won. But who told Jang Nara that she looked prettier after losing an incredibly unhealthy amount of weight for her recent movie role? Honestly, her reported weight of 38kg scares me.
Jang Nara
The fascination and obsession with beauty isn’t only relevant in the Kpop-sphere; this is also a reflection of Korean society, further instigated by netizens’ careless comments. Whether you’re a woman or a man, trying to become more attractive through cosmetic surgery, diet, or exercise is every person’s choice. I respect that. This is not about whether it’s right or wrong to undergo cosmetic surgery or any other beauty enhancer to achieve how you want to look. This is about something a little bit closer to the heart.
I feel that in Korean society, and even more so in the insulated Kpop-realm, there is an enormous (and dare I say unnecessary?) amount of pressure to look more beautiful. Many people, celebrities and non-celebrities alike, risk their health and lives for the sake of looking better—extreme dieting to the point of starvation, the risk of plastic surgery going wrong. I believe there is too much “you’re not good enough” going on. There should be more awareness of the risks involved and support for attributes like confidence and being comfortable in one’s own skin. It makes me sad that people have taken such measures not only for their own personal reasons, but because they think they have to live up to a certain standard.
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