K-popped! Passionate about Korean pop culture

it’s so true…

Why turn so sensitive and ridiculously asking an apology from Oprah? That’s the fact,face it. Or maybe they got angry because they WERE ugly.

Sorry, it should have meen “play this game”.

Actually before i became “k-popped!” i didn’t know that plastic surgery was popular in South Korea. But when i started taking interest in Korean celebrities, my friend told me…hey almost all the celebs had “work done” (plastic surgery). I was so incredulous. “You mean they don’t look good naturally.” ah gee…I asked “How do you know this?” He answered…”Common, every one knows this!”

Then when learning up on Korean celebrities, i found this to be true! So i don’t see why Oprah should apologize either.

NOT ALL have gone under the knife. But a good number have…and i guess this is the stigma Korean women have to live with.

This was four years ago…

I’m a kor-am myself and I DON’T think Oprah shouldn’t apologize.
I recently went back to the ROK for the first time after 12 years and A LOT has changed. It’s really hard to find a 20-30 year old woman who actually resembles what a real korean woman would have looked like 10-20 years ago. At first I was really naive and thought that maybe perhaps they were genetically equipped/evolved that way..(ROFL )..but I learned and realized for myself that most/all of them have had at least 1 procedure done (most commonly the eyelid surgery) It’s getting to be really disturbing.

I KNOW koreans are very very self conscious in that they want to appear as conformist (being different isn’t what a avg korean strives to be) and constantly compete with their peers to have the better everything- kids, education, car, house, life. They pride on this. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it’s a huge power trip for them. Koreans can be very irrational and complex with how they handle certain situations. They can be gentle christians and dive into the WWJD type of mode and try to give everything they own to you…and other times, well, let’s just say I’ve seen some crazy shit.

Bottom line is…I’m proud of my heritage and my family’s story n all, but shit…Every Korean person really needs to reevaluate the message that they are trying to send out into the world. AS a community koreans need to change. And as stubborn as they are now…remember the OLD korea (pre-industrialization) back in the late 60′s early 70′s…as a people WE WERE DIRT POOR! we can still learn a thing from the elders NOW. go respect and appreciate this before you can think of having a boob job or a freakin nose job!

Fact: Koreans do plastic surgery.

However, I strongly believe the light in which PS was portrayed in Korea is remarkable inflammatory and insensitive for a woman who prides herself on bringing issues to light fairly.

Fact: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_pla_sur_pro_percap-plastic-surgery-procedures-per-capita

Korea is #27 – far FAR below countries that hardly suffer the “stigma” of being a “plasticized” country. For chrissake, SWEDEN is #1 in ps/per capita and the Swedish are hardly associated with plastic surgery.

This about accurately portraying a country in global perspective and Oprah did NOT do that. THAT is what Oprah should’ve apologized for; not for necessarily saying Korea does plastic surgery but for implying Korea is the “obsessed” with it when facts show Korea is rather far from.

I would say it’s rather amusing to see people wax poetic about how Korea is the epicenter of PS because of the fact Koreans are more open about having undergone surgery. While there are far less Koreans that actually undergo PS, as compared to Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong, far more Koreans are willing to talk about it on game shows etc. I would assume this is because Korea’s society is, to gently put it, very tight knit and demands honesty and a certain open-ness from Korean celebrities that Westerners peculiar. In America, nobody openly and willingly “admits” they did Botox, a boob job, or a nose job unless questioned directly (and not even then sometimes). Furthermore, Korea has a reputation for skilled (but cheap) plastic surgeons, ones that actually have medical degrees and know what they are doing. Consequently, many foreigners go to Korea to have procedures done and indeed many of those little surgeries you see in the street of Seoul cater to foreigners who have flown in to get their face done under the pretence of taking a vacation.

As for the question of “Westernizing” themselves through plastic surgery, perhaps Koreans are doing just that. But what was Halle Berry doing when she “pudgy” nose straightened into a pointy one? Most minorities, African and Asian alike are “Westernizing” their features because the Western look is the dominating idea of beauty. To single out Korea as trying escape their cultural identity through plastic surgery is a remarkably skewed (and hypocritical) way to view it.

Wording is everything and it’s clear to me Oprah and the uninformed commenters on this post do not care whether she portrayed a small, far-off country unfairly. But I suppose that’s the way of the world – it’s easy to criticize in the name “truth” dressed as opinion and the freedom of speech when it’s not your culture, heritage, and society under fire.

it would’ve been better if the topic of the show [in general] was on plastic surgery, rather than giving krns that kind of light, while others have fashion, the clubbing scene, & struggles for their topic.
i’m pretty sure if she talked about some other race like that, then the outcome 4rm that race would’ve been the same.

i find this kinda funny, since brazil & other countries have way more surgery done than krns. i guess you can say 4rm the asn culture, krns are known for it.
& don’t be hatin’- you know you want to look like them! lol…
besides, there’s a good amount of krn celebs that get it done, but there’s an equal amount of them that are naturally beautiful.

I think that she SHOULD apologize because on behalf of Korean-American women, I would like to say that what Oprah stated was a mere opinion regarding plastic surgery and Korean women. Not all of Korea’s community resort to plastic surgery so she can’t suggest that the Korean community as a WHOLE undergo plastic surgery but a proportion nonetheless. I’m not saying that she is completely wrong but because of the remark she made which in fact affected many koreans, this proclomation also had a toll on society’s view of Korea’s culture. Oprah is a well known figure respected throughout the world but the statement she made impacted many people’s outlook of Korea’s general people because she is very well respected therefore many viewers take in what she says. Oprah stated something that people disregard as a big issue but my opinion in this matter is that the korean community shouldn’t be exposed as a whole but as individuals who MAY/MAY NOT undergo plastic surgery but saying that korea’s society is the root of plastic surgery is a mere understatement and a stereotypical opinion.

uh… wait. 4years ago..?

@nicole

This is per/capita, roughly estimating percentage per 100,000 – basic statistics. Actual size of the population is irrelevant in terms of this comparison because the pool has been equalized.

Nonetheless, compare S.Korea’s population 49,044,790 (July 2007 est.)
with
Switzerland: 7,554,661 (July 2007 est.)
Cyprus: 788,457 (July 2007 Est.)
*
Asian countries (excluding HK since you wish it)
Taiwan: 22,858,872 (July 2007 est.)
Singapore: 4,553,009 (July 2007 est.)

These countries a SIGNIFICANTLY lower population yet countries such as Taiwan and Switzerland still top Korea in total #s of PS performed and per 100,000 people.

Thus the argument still stands – Korea DOES have people undergoing PS but is quite undeserving of the label of being a “plastic” country. If you can provide conflicting statistics from a reputable source, be my guest.

plastic surgery isn’t necessarily such a TABOO you know…and if that’s where ROK has advanced where other countries are still lacking… people in the US or other foreigners might consider going to Korea for surgery. think of it as like a trade! i know i wouldn’t go to brazil for any procedure! i’d pick korea before brazil!

it’s business. in this world it’s all about the money. good or bad, Oprah just gave free advertising for the ROK plastic surgeons…you have to admit after seeing some of the hallyu stars…they’re pretty good, no?

Whether she should apoligize or not, I just wonder why Korean women are so obsesive on comsmetic surgeries. I’m Korean myself but I never understand it.

I’ve also read a news article that Korean women are the least satisfied ones on their faces in east Asian countries. I don’t really think Korean women are uglier than others(I mean, before surgeries of course) so that I reckon what they need is learning how to be satisfied and proud of themselves, otherwise what they will need is surgeries after surgeries.

It’s incredible to see how many people cannot see the different between addressing an issue fairly and spinning an issue in a biased fashion.

I respect Oprah and what she does. I believe most of the time she does a good job but Oprah was out of her league when she tried to address this question. She dressed opinion and fact (whether she meant to or not) on national TV no less – and if that isn’t a reason to apologize what is? I’d like to see her reaction to someone who said African-Americans were trapped in the “rebellious slave” mentality as evidenced by the number of higher crimes committed by AA. It’s spinning fiction as fact through subtle wording. She “arguing” for her own opinion rather than stating facts and now Koreans are becoming the ones to bear the burden of having their personal choices (to have ps if the want it) criticized by hypocrites on a moral pedestal.

The question was never whether Koreans DID surgery – it was to what DEGREE. People who don’t recognize this difference are fools who can’t form opinions based on fact and follow strong personalities like sheep. There is a vast different between saying “Africans-Americans commit crimes” and “A-A have the most criminal tendencies.” Subtle wording, total different connotation. Oprah has placed the burden of having to face suspicion for simply being Korean and having a “pretty” face on entire nation of people. And this isn’t even a race question – it’s not as though she said ASIANS do – no this is a burden, only Korea will have to bear. The real “epidemic” here is how non-Koreans are forming the opinion that Koreans are changing their face b/c they are somehow unhappy with their cultural identity. The damage she and all the uninformed netizens have done is already clear in how every Korean face, pretty or not, is being criticized by third parties as MORAL deficiencies by fools who can only parrot what they’ve heard rather than cite statistics. Bear witness to the comments on any Asian forum discussing a non-Korean celebrity who is suspected to have “cut up her face.” Inevitable comment: “Well, Korean celebs do it more/at least she didn’t do as much K-stars/she’s almost as plastic as Korean stars.” And if this non-Korean is unattractive? “At least she hasn’t cut up her face like all the Korean stars.” She should’ve approached this issue with more of her renowned emotional sensitivity rather than exacerbating a stereotype that is becoming an epidemic among the uninformed masses.

In any case, she never apologized and after 4 yrs she clearly has no intention of doing so – that’s that.

I think plastic surgery in a country shows its progress… It isn’t fair to say all women in Korea do stuff to their face because the eyelid surgery thing is the most common procedure in Asia. Americans do more boob jobs, tummy tucks and god-knows-what else all the time. I’m not Korean but I absolutely love that country! (Though the celebrities are starting to look alike these days…) But I’m sure Oprah could have used a little more tact when addressing this issue.

Plastic surgery in M’sia as far as I know is still taboo but I know a lot of older ladies that do botox….

Yeah, it is true, but maybe the way she said sounded offensive, i mean, not only do Korean people have plastic surgery, lots of other people in many other countries, especially in Hollywood get plastic surgery.

I don’t think of plastic surgery as a terrible thing. You know, girls(particularly) put on make-ups, do different hairstyles, do just about every single thing to make themselves look pretty. Why? Because most of us care about how they look in front of others. If we didn’t, we would not wash our face, not try to eliminate pimples, not try to put skin whitening product and so on.

The only difference with plastic surgery is that you need huge money to be able to go through the procedure. Btw, if you did braces, put on some kind of skin products or some stuff to make yourself look pretty, yea you’re basically no different from them. Everyone is superficial to some extent.

If you were to ask me, MOST people’s looks are not natural because for it to be natural, you never had to have done anything to enhance your look EVER. I did braces, and I consider myself having done plastic surgery. What’s really so bad about it?

If you’re ugly, people are going to ridicule you for being ugly. If you’re pretty but went through plastic surgery, people would still point out that you went through knife job. I would not do extreme plastic surgery myself because I don’t intend to do it. But I don’t see what’s so bad about it, if you can afford it.

people are only saying that oprah shouldnt apologize just b/c they’r obessed with her and doesnt want to admitt that shes never wrong. ugh
it is true that most koreans go under the knife but not ALL. damn..>.>

oprah was right in saying that koreans have a lot of plastic surgeries, but what country doesn’t? on one hand, i really don’t think oprah should apologize for something that IS true of the korean culture, but she also doesn’t do justice do koreans by pointing fingers at other country’s flaws, while ignoring what’s more problematic at home — that is, the u.s.a is the roaring engine of the plastic surgery industry–oprah needs to state that also.

this is 4 years ago!!
I’m Black, White, Korean, and Indian. I can careless about Oprah. Oprah just makes money off of what she says. But what she is doing is stating the facts, she could’ve said it in a better way, but still it’s true. And I dont think she has to apologize of every little thing she says. This is her show, and she can say whatever she say. And if you don’t like it then just don’t watch it.. that’s just my opinion about it.

I am so sick of Oprah. I used to watch her show but stopped when I saw that incompetent Lisa Ling ridiculing a small group of Korean women for having plastic surgeries done. I could not believe my ears. Ling call it ‘trying to be like white people.’ What’s worse? Oprah agreeing with Ling. What a narrow-minded comment that is. I suppose Oprah is also trying to be like white folks because I noticed her hair had gotten so much lighter. When that uneducated and incompetent college drop-out Ling talked about how Korean women were trying to be like white folks, she was actually talking about her own insecurities and about her own ugly nose and appalling eyes. So if anybody is reading this, please do not take that kind of garbage. Speak up loud and clear. Do not ignore their abuses. Come out strong and stand up with your head held up high and let’s keep those idiots in line!!! Put them where they belong and keep them there!

lol i can't believe how hyped up this issue became. but i think it IS true and that is the general impression that not just america has on koreans & plastic surgery but the whole world has on.. if it's like that then there might be some truth to it.

even if you wanna deny the issue – rather than go ranting off insulting a lot of people, why don't you guys provide evidence and facts to prove otherwise

Why should she appologize for something that is true?
Koreans are completely obsessed with their looks and cosmetic surgery. Just go to Korea and watch how many times they look at themselves in the mirror. It’s sick.

To: Anonymous 26 Nov 2008 AM 06:34

Oh please…so, what you’re saying is that people, here, in America AREN’T superficial in their own right. You’re genralizing…typical.

And just so you know, my non-korean friends stare into any reflective surface (including display windows of stores), checking out their own reflection. At the very least, koreans have the decency to do it into an actual mirror.

A Korean student studying in the US said: “The Oprah Winfrey Show is a program with a lot of viewers worldwide, and for it to deal with Korea negatively like this is a big problem. Because of this, I worry if the nation’s image takes a big hit.”

I can’t stand how Koreans are so closed minded. They always think the world is putting them down. I’m sick and tired of it. Koreans need to chill out and quit being so uptight. Maybe we Koreans should start coming to grips with the deep, inherent problems within it’s society (world leading divorce rates, celebrity suicides, adultery, moral bankruptcy, endless corruption, etc…) before we cry foul.

Sure it creates a negative image for Korea, but putting lipstick on a pig doesn’t make it any prettier.

This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives in depth information. thanks for this nice article.

eyelid plastic surgery los angeles

Sounds like spring check out. But it is totally true.. I have seen couple of successful Korean’s causes.
Tummy tuck