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Int'l students share mixed feelings about Korea's high beauty standards

Published: 23 May. 2023, 14:44

A plastic surgery advertisement at Apgujeong Station in Gangnam District, southern Seoul. Many international students in Korea say they have mixed feelings about Korean beauty standards. [CHOI JEONG-DONG]

Amirah Tan, a 27-year-old Malaysian student majoring in environmental and ecological engineering at Korea University in Seoul, was immediately struck by the modern beauty standards of Korean society when she arrived in the country last year. However, it was when she started her classes at the university that she realized just how important appearance was in Korean culture.

Tan watched in awe as her fellow students at the university expertly applied makeup, meticulously styled their hair and confidently strutted around campus. She was particularly impressed and inspired by their eye makeup.

"Koreans know how to [wear eye makeup] to make them look pretty, as well as their focus on achieving a smaller face and defined cheeks," Tan said.

The Korean beauty standard has become one of the most prominent beauty ideals globally, with a particular focus on specific physical features. Fair skin, large eyes, a small face, a high nose bridge and a slim figure are considered the quintessential traits of Korean beauty. This emphasis on certain physical characteristics has permeated Korean society to the point where it is nearly impossible to escape its influence.

International students studying in Korea often have mixed feelings about the emphasis on beauty standards in Korean culture. While they find it intriguing and appreciate the meticulous skincare routines and makeup techniques used to achieve a flawless appearance, they may also feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the high standards of beauty.

The pressure to conform to these ideals and live up to these standards can be challenging and come with potential consequences such as high costs or feelings of insecurity.

"My first encounter with Korean beauty standards was in my home country, where several K-dramas were shown," Jayvee Del Rosario, an MBA student at KAIST College of Business in Seoul, said. Rosario is from the Philippines.

"I noticed how everyone looks fair and flawless, even the extras. It seemed like beauty was a top priority in Korean culture, and I was fascinated by the attention to detail that went into everyone's appearance."

When he finally came to Korea, he realized this emphasis on beauty was not only spared for celebrities.

"Almost everyone I met had beautiful and healthy-looking skin, and I was amazed to see that even guys were into skincare products," Rosario said. "This was not something I was used to in my home country, where taking care of one's skin was traditionally considered a woman's concern."

On the positive side, many international students say that they appreciate the emphasis on self-care and beauty routines in Korean culture. They see it as an opportunity to improve their own physical appearance, gain confidence and embrace a new cultural experience.

Learning about new skincare and makeup techniques can be exciting, and some students even develop a passion for Korean beauty products and incorporate them into their daily routines.

Patcharasakul Manpetch, a Thai business student at Korea University, said she has learned to embrace certain Korean trends to her benefit without changing her identity.

"When it comes to hairstyles," said Manpetch, "I won't change it to fit the [Korean] standards if they don't suit my style. However, I appreciate how Koreans take care of their hair, and I would follow their hair treatment regimen like hair masks and scalp scaling."

On the other hand, some international students feel the negative effects of the Korean beauty standard. They feel the pressure to conform to the ideal of fair skin, large eyes and a slim figure, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

Some students say they feel the need to undergo cosmetic procedures to change their appearance and fit in with their Korean peers.

Kawinna Sanusan, a Thai MBA student at KAIST, said she felt "overwhelmed."

"I felt the need to have a smaller body size like Korean people, and I thought a procedure like fat removal could be a solution," Sanusan said. "But ultimately, I decided against it as the cost was too high for my student budget."

Aisa Imani, an Iranian MBA student at KAIST's business school, said keeping up with Korea's latest beauty trends could get stressful.

"Skin care routines, diet plans and makeup steps are too extreme, and sometimes I feel like I won't fit in society since I look very normal," Imani said. "In my home country, it is also trendy to be slim, and the younger generation is interested in certain types of surgery. However, the pressure to conform is not as extreme as it is in Korea."

The expectation to conform can have a considerable impact on one's financial well-being, too.

Investing in skincare products, beauty treatments and cosmetic surgeries can be financially challenging, with some procedures costing thousands of dollars. This financial burden can be especially difficult for international students, who may not have the financial means to pursue these beauty standards.

"In comparison to Bulgaria, I tend to invest more in skincare products here in Korea, as the available options are greater and the expectations are higher," Mihaela Donavan, a marketing student at Gyeongsang National University in Jinju, South Gyeongsang, said.

"But the pricing standards differ. If I were to spend $50 (66,000 won) per month on skincare in Bulgaria, it would be considered excessive. However, here in Korea, spending $70 to $80 per month on skincare is deemed acceptable as people spend a lot on beauty products."

BY STUDENT REPORTER ABDUL SAMEED ABDULWAHAB [[email protected]]