South Korea's Obsession With Plastic Surgery | Obsessions | S1E04 | Beyond Documentary

Summary

In Seoul, the plastic surgery capital, Jason Godfrey delves into the city's obsession with cosmetic procedures. With one in two women undergoing surgery and a booming $3 billion industry, he uncovers how appearances influence job prospects and societal beauty standards. From the routine double eyelid surgeries to extreme cases like Han Mayok, the documentary explores the lengths Koreans go to for a better life, including palm line surgeries to change fortunes.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Seoul is considered the world's capital of plastic surgery, where people are willing to go to great lengths for a new look.
• 🔍 Jason Godfrey's mission is to uncover the reasons behind South Korea's plastic surgery obsession.
• 👥 South Koreans are the most plastic surgery-obsessed, with at least one in two women in major cities having had it.
• 🏢 The Gangnam district in Seoul is home to 70% of all plastic surgery clinics in the country.
• 💉 Plastic surgery is seen as a way to improve one's appearance and get better opportunities, including in job prospects.
• 🏥 BK Dong Yang is the largest plastic surgery center in the world, performing up to 100 cosmetic procedures daily.
• 👶 There's a cultural shift in Korea where even teenagers are getting plastic surgery, with some parents supporting it from as young as 14.
• 📺 There's a TV reality show, 'Challenge Cinderella', where participants can win free plastic surgery.
• 🎤 K-pop stars also undergo plastic surgery to enhance their looks and careers, with some having procedures done on TV.
• 🔮 Some Koreans believe that changing their physical appearance through plastic surgery can also change their destiny.
• 🤲 There's a unique practice of palm line surgery in Korea, where people alter their palm lines to change their fortunes.

Q & A

What is the narrator's mission in the video?

The narrator's mission is to strip off the facade and find out what's underneath the plastic surgery obsession in Seoul.

What is the statistic regarding plastic surgery among Korean women in major cities?

At least one out of two Korean women in major cities have had plastic surgery, according to polls.

What is the significance of Seoul's Gangnam district in the context of plastic surgery?

Seoul's Gangnam district is home to 70% of all plastic surgery clinics in Korea.

How does Dr. Kim describe the Korean attitude towards plastic surgery?

Dr. Kim describes Koreans as being very open to having surgeries and willing to change themselves to get better opportunities.

What role do appearances play in the Korean psyche according to the video?

Appearances play a deeper role in the Korean psyche, influencing job prospects and societal beauty standards.

What is the title of the largest plastic surgery center in the world mentioned in the script?

The title of the largest plastic surgery center in the world is BK Dong Yang.

What is the cultural background that Dr. Kim refers to when explaining the Korean willingness to undergo plastic surgery?

Dr. Kim refers to Korea's historical struggles to survive, including foreign invasions and civil war, as the cultural background for their progressive attitude towards improving their lives through plastic surgery.

What is the typical age range for when Korean patients can safely undergo plastic surgery according to the video?

Korean patients are typically considered safe to undergo plastic surgery when they are 17 or 18 years old, as their facial bones and body areas have finished growing.

What is the trend among young Koreans regarding plastic surgery?

Influenced by TV celebrities and K-pop stars, more young Koreans, including teenagers, are getting surgery, with some parents supporting plastic surgery for their children as young as 14.

What is the concept behind 'Challenge Cinderella' as mentioned in the script?

'Challenge Cinderella' is a TV reality show where people compete to get free plastic surgery, with the winners receiving all their surgeries paid for.

How does the video suggest that plastic surgery is viewed by older Koreans?

Older Koreans may not care much for plastic surgery to improve their lives, but they do trust in more ancient methods such as fortune telling.