Korean Beauty Standard
K-pop plays a significant role in Korea’s establishing national identity in the face of rapid
industrialization. K-pop idols are always expose to the major spotlights, the things revolving
around them are always the focal point of the public eyes. Public audience sometimes refer
idols as trend setter, fashion leaders or even role models. The significance of idol has shape
the standard of beauty relatively higher than many other countries. K-pop promotion is
marketed so heavily, images of flawless looking idols from news, movie, TV advertisement,
subway posters, social media, Korean youngsters and students are heavily expose to a
substantial amount of strict beauty standards. Mass media advertisement and broadcast
media in South Korea has been emphasising the importance of personal beauty appearance
wise, has built the Korean society to be an image-obsessed society. Here are some examples
of Korean beauty standard, slim figures, a small face, V-shaped jawline, double eyelids that
emphasise innocence, aegyo-sal (puffy eye-bag), small lips, big eyes, and flawless skin (Kim,
C. 2013). Korean beauty standards have varied influences, and K-pop is one of the biggest
impacts. K-pop has become globalized and exposed around the world; aside from the music,
the physical appearance of idols portrays have impacted the beauty standards in Korea
(Seoulbeats, 2015). The pressure of obtaining and maintaining the best appearance
resembling their favourite K-pop idols, three sections of the beauty industry had flourish.
Plastic surgery, cosmetic product and fashion trends.