Korean Beauty Standards Explained – Complete Guide 2024

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Over the last five years, Korean beauty standards (and fashion styles) have reached the highest popularity worldwide, taking over the Western ones.

Seen as soft and kind on the ‘outside,’ Korean beauty standards are some of the strictest in the world, at least when compared to the Western ones.

In this article, I’ll introduce you to a short history of Korean beauty and how the standards have evolved to the current times.

I’ll also detail what makes Korean beauty standards different from Western and Asian countries such as China and India.




Korean Female Beauty Standards

Korean beauty pushes for an innocent look: small face, big eyes, and slim body aiming to recreate a youthful look.

Compared to Western beauty standards, Koreans pursue cuter and more feminine looks regarding their faces.

Korean vs Western Beauty Standards

Koreans prefer slim, young, youthful faces with small facial features and pale skin.

Unlike the West, curvy shapes like Kim Kardashian or Rihanna are just too much by Korean beauty standards.

In this context, being girly, cute, thin, and even skinny is a beauty goal for Korean women rather than fit and healthy.

Below are the 4 main aspects Korean beauty standards are built on:

1. Small Face, Pointy Nose, Plump Lips, V-shaped Jaw, and Straight Eyebrows

Korean beauty standards for face

In South Korea, having a small face is at the core of one’s beauty.

According to Joyce Kong – a Korean beauty correspondent at Refinery29 – Asians (particularly Koreans) have smaller eyes, giving them the appearance of a more prominent face.

Moreover, a small face is considered pretty because it makes you look like a child and, thus, younger.

Then, because of the differences in the facial bone structure of Asians, who have a flatter facial bone structure than their Western counterparts, facial bone contouring surgeries are pretty popular.

V-line surgery (jaw and chin reduction) and cheekbone reduction (zygoma) surgeries are popular tools to change Korean facial contour.

A v-shaped face must have the forehead proportioned to the face, ideally not too small or angular.

V-shaped Jaw

The v-shaped face look is achieved by creating delicate, unpronounced jawlines and a pointy chin via makeup or surgery.

V-shape Jaw in Korean Beauty Standards

The desire to portray a more petite face is so high that Koreans either hide part of their jaw when taking pictures or use filters on social media to achieve a v-shape look.

V-shape Jaw in Korean Beauty Standards on InstagramBack to Korean makeup, contour plays a crucial role in portraying the illusion of a smaller face.

Contrary to Western societies, where the contour is aimed to accentuate cheekbones and the jawline, Korean makeup artists try to achieve the exact opposite.

For that, they shade the outer line of their faces to acquire a more slender and smaller face.

V-shape Jaw in Korean Beauty Standards Makeup

It is also interesting to note that, to reduce accentuated jawlines, South Koreans have invented all sorts of beauty utensils such as chin straps, jawline sheet masks, and massaging roles.

V-shape Jaw in Korean Beauty Standards face mask

Another way of achieving the Korean beauty standard is through permanent interventions, such as plastic surgery.

Many Korean women and men seek to achieve the same V-shaped face appeal to cosmetic surgery through a “V-line.”

V-shape Jaw in Korean Beauty Standards surgery

During the operation, the surgeon shaves the patient’s jawline to construct a slimmer and smaller face and a pointy nose with a high bridge.

Small, Pointy Nose

Another crucial facial feature, according to Korean beauty standards, is having a small but pointy nose.

People with small faces and pointy noses are seen as very elegant and sophisticated.

Small pointy nose Korean beauty standards

Interestingly, while having a small and pointy nose has become a critical beauty feature according to modern Korean beauty standards, big noses were a sign of beauty in the past centuries.

Small Mouth & Plump Lips

One must also have a small mouth to complete the ideal Korean beauty standards of a small face with v-shaped jawlines and a small pointy nose.

However, while the mouth must be small, the lips must be plump.

Also, the bottom lip should always be plumper than the top lip.

Small and plump lips Korean beauty standards

On top of that, the strictness of Korean beauty standards insists that the lip line should face upwards, like when you’re smiling.

Most Koreans achieve that ‘small mouth’ look with makeup and then complete it with an extra “lip effect” through fillers.




2. Flawless, White Pale Skin

Flawless and pale skin in Korean beauty standards

Contrary to the much-desired golden tan skin color loved in the Western world, pale skin is a must in Asian cultures, especially in Korean society.

The desire for the pale skin color of Korean people is deeply rooted in the culture of many Asian countries.

It all began in the daily lives of the royal era as a social class identification and reached contemporary times as a cultural beauty standard.

Korean Farmer vs Korean royal

In the past, people with darker skin color were associated with agriculture and other labor-intensive jobs.

On the other hand, people with paler skins were assumed to be part of the aristocracy and to have higher-paid jobs.

Korean Skin Beauty

Koreans utilize many UV protection creams and makeup and wear garments that protect them from sun rays to achieve a paler skin look.

Flawless and pale skin in Korean beauty standards

They also use dedicated Korean skincare products such as acne patches to hide any blemishes or spots and sheet or face masks designed to whiten skin.




3. Large Eyes, Double Eyelids and Aegyo-sal

Larger eyes in Korean beauty standards

As South Korea’s ideal beauty standard is built around creating a youthful look, having larger and more innocent eyes is very important.

Big, rounded, or almond-shaped eyes are considered pretty, as bigger eyes – paired with a small face – confer an overall youthful look.

Unfortunately, according to Allure, 50% of Korean girls have small eyes and monolids, considered unattractive.

Monolids vs. Double Eyelids

Monolids are single eyelids with the eye sitting flush with the browbone, connected by a skin stretch.

There’s no visible fold or crease, which usually separates the eyelid into two parts.

Therefore, the most efficient way to increase the size of the eyes is via plastic surgery – and estimates show that every third of Koreans had double eyelid surgery.

Monolids vs Double Eyelids

The most popular procedure is called “double eyelid surgery”, or “East Asian blepharoplasty”, used to create a second eye crease and confer an oversized eye look.

The procedure is also commonly used in cases of asymmetric eyelid problems.

Another less intrusive – and quite popular – procedure involves injecting fat or filler under the eyes.

The procedure is called aegyo-sal, a Korean term referring to the small fatty deposits underneath the eyes that give a person a youthful appearance.

The aim here is to emulate the natural pockets of fat that appear under the eyes when you smile and make you look younger.

And the least intrusive way to achieve bigger eyes is by using an invisible eyelid tape.

Invisible eyelid tape for double eyelids

The tape is glued to the lid area, creating a double eyelid fold when the eye opens.

Makeup-wise, contemporary Korean beauty standards of eye makeup have shifted from the traditional sexy cat eye to a larger, more innocent puppy-style eye.




4. Slim X or S-shaped Body, Straight Shoulder Lines, Long Legs

Korean Beauty Standards Explained - Complete Guide 2024

While South Korea has arguably the lowest obesity rate globally, over 60% of Korean women and 41% of men are on a diet.

The choice is attributed to the desire to have a slim body, which is highly praised and seen as a sign of beauty in Korean culture.

Korean Weight Loss Market

Regarding diets, South Koreans resort to dedicated weight loss clinics or try popular diets promoted by celebrities online.

Dieting pills – available in almost all drug stores – are also commonly used by those seeking to achieve perfect beauty ideals.

Another way to a slim figure is achieved via plastic surgery.

In the case of plastic surgery, liposuction treatments are the most popular choice to reduce weight.

In particular, fat-burning injections, made famous by Korean pop stars, are the most requested procedures to reduce body volume.

However, while having a skinny look is trendy in Korea, it is essential not to look too thin, as it is seen as unattractive.

Korean Beauty Standards for Men

While expectations of female beauty usually outweigh male expectations, South Korea is notorious for its male beauty standards.

Compared to the Western culture, in which makeup for men could be interpreted as an act of rebellion against society rather than a beauty standard, Korean male beauty standards are similar to female standards.

Korean male beauty standards

The current Korean beauty standard for men is a cute, pretty figure, feminine, androgynous look.

However, since 2022 and under Western media influence, more Korean men have started to emphasize fitness.

Nevertheless, even with a buffed-up body, it is still common for Korean men to wear moisturizing lotion, foundation, and makeup, even at the gym.

South Korea is recognized as one of the world’s beauty capitals on male beauty.

Male KPOP Beauty Standards

Korean Male Kpop beauty standards

Compared to the US, where the ideal man is a version of Thor, or in Europe, a metrosexual version of James Bond, Korean men’s attractiveness and ‘handsomeness’ are driven by K-pop band members.

Nowadays, men’s ideal Korean beauty standard reflects K-Pop stars (Korean Pop music).

1. Slim Facial Feature

Surgery is Korean men’s weapon of choice to achieve smaller and slender facial features and a higher nose

2. Double Eyelids

Korean men recourse to cosmetic surgery to shift from monolids to double eyelids.

3. Fair Skin

Korean men invest in cosmetics and makeup that confer and maintain clear, smooth, and fair skin.

4. Dyed Hair

Darker hair is a sign of youth; thus, over 95% of Korean men with white hair dye their hair regularly.

5. Androgynous body

Korean men try to achieve an androgynous body shape, avoiding looking too skinny, fat, or muscular.

6. Fashionable Outfits

Korean men wear androgynous clothing, Femboy outfits, or streetwear fashion brands that keep them stylish and trendy.




Korean Beauty Market for Men

Korean Makeup for men

Contrary to Western culture and the beauty industry with a focus (almost exclusive) on women, the Korean beauty market embraces men’s makeup.

Beauty products are not seen as gendered, and South Korean men purchase and wear several brands and products.

Over the past decade, South Korean men have become the world’s most prominent male spenders on skincare and beauty products.

Korean Male Beauty Stats

Between 2011 and 2017, the Korean beauty market for men only grew by 44%, part of a cosmetics industry (including the private label cosmetics market) that makes $10 billion every year.

Similarly, over 58% of South Korean men state they take advantage of beauty and grooming treatments at least once per week.

 

Idols That Fit (Create) Korean Beauty Standards

There’s a saying in Korea: “If you want to know what kind of face is beautiful, look at Korean idols.”

These rigid beauty standards mean that if you don’t look like a Korean idol, you are not considered pretty.

Without further ado, these are some of the most cherished female celebrities in Korea right now:

Tzuyu Korean Beauty Idol
Tzuyu (주자유)
Irene (배주현) Korean Beauty Idol
Irene (배주현)
Jisoo (김지수) Korean Beauty Idol
Jisoo (김지수)
Somi (전소미) Korean Beauty Idol
Somi (전소미)
Suzy (수지) Korean Beauty Idol
Suzy (수지)
Seolhyun (설현) Korean Beauty Idol
Seolhyun (설현)
IU (아이유) Korean Beauty Idol
IU (아이유)
Lee Min-Jung (이민정) Korean Beauty Idol
Lee Min-Jung (이민정)
Jun Ji-Hyun (전지현) Korean Beauty Idol
Jun Ji-Hyun (전지현)
Kim Tae-Hee (김태희) Korean Beauty Idol
Kim Tae-Hee (김태희)




Korean Beauty – Height Standards

The average height, according to Korean beauty ideals, can be divided into three core categories:

Short – 162cm

Korean Short and Cute Beauty

The average person’s average height in Korea is described as ‘short but cute.’

Taeyeon and IU are great examples of this category.

Average – 162/168cm

Korean Average Tall Beauty

This height is the ‘not so short, not too tall’ group.

Imagine someone slightly taller than Gain Han (actor).

Some other great representatives of this height category are Korean idols Hara Koo (Kara), Yeseul Han (Leslie Kim, actor), and Chewon Moon (actor).

Tall – 168cm

Korean Tall Beauty

The name says it all. According to Korean beauty standards, idols around 168cm have the ideal height.

Some representative Korean celebrities in this category are Hyo Ju Han (actor), Yeonhee Lee (actor), and Nayoung Lee (actor).




Korean vs. Chinese Beauty Standards

Korean and Chinese beauty trends are reasonably similar.

Both cultures think that a slim figure, a small face, big eyes, and pale skin are critical attributes to beauty.

Face, Skin, and Eyes

Compared to Korean’s v-shaped faces, the ideal face in China must be small and “shaped like an upside-down goose egg.”

But, similar to Korean beauty standards, big and cute eyes are famous in modern Chinese beauty standards.

Big eyes with eyelids, rather than mono eyelids, are considered super beautiful.

Korean vs Chinese beauty standards

Moreover, Chinese women use darker eyeliner makeup, such as black or dark brown, to further augment the size of their eyes.

On the other hand, Korean girls tend to pursue more natural eye makeup by using lighter color eyeliners.

Chinese beauty trends also recourse to the idea of puppy eyes, known in Chinese culture as the Wo Can, which translates into “lying silkworm.”

That’s because it refers to a 4 to 7-millimeter puff placed under the eyelashes – looking like a silkworm – meant to make girls look cuter and sweeter when they smile.

According to the Chinese traditional face reading, people born with Wo Chan have good and fortunate lives in relationships and businesses.

In China, skin must be “not just pale, but “as white as possible” to be considered attractive.

Body Shape

A slim figure is one of the most critical aspects of Korean and Chinese beauty standards.

However, the Chinese beauty standard on body shapes differs from the Korean one.

Chinese prefer tall bodies, long legs with tiny feet, and a Pippa Middleton bottom.

Korean vs Chinese body beauty standards

Another difference is seen in women’s body weight/shape compared to men.

In Korea, both women and men are careful not to get too skinny, as that’s a sign of health complications and is perceived as ugly.

But, according to Chinese beauty standards, women should be as skinny as possible, almost to the point of seeing their bones.

And, just like Koreans, the Chinese get inspired by their idols regarding ideal beauty looks.

One representative of the Chinese culture and body weight is Zheng Shuang, known for her fragile body.

At 168 centimeters tall, Zheng only weighs around 37 kilograms.

A notable Chinese beauty trend was the A4 waist challenge.

Also named the “anti-waist challenge,” Chinese women shared selfies on social media holding up sheets of paper.

To be considered a beautiful body, the paper had to obscure the woman’s waist entirely – the standard paper size was only 21 centimeters (8.3 in) across.




Indian Beauty Standards vs. Korean Beauty

In India, everyone aspires to be fair-skinned, thin, and body hair-free.

Somehow positioned (culturally) between the Far East and the Middle East, Indian culture has imported the Middle East’s expectations of a hairless body and Korea’s norm for pale skin.

Unlike Korean beauty standards, which do not impose waxed arms, Indian women go the extra length, seeking perfectly threaded arch eyebrows, arms, and legs.

Face, Skin, and Eyes

Just like Koreans, having fair or paler skin is a critical element in the Indian ideals of beauty.

Indians are discriminatory towards each other based on skin tone, with a maximum acceptable level of brown one can be before it is considered ugly.

In the social context, a person with light skin is seen as someone of wealth and power, as there’s no need to work in the sun.

Korean vs Indian beauty standards

This preconception is speculated and accentuated by the beauty industry’s constant bombardment of fairness cream ads.

Unfortunately, in India, children with dark skin tones are often bullied in schools and face difficulties finding a job.

It is a situation that, once again, shows how much more educational work is needed to end stereotypes that impact our world.

Regarding eye shapes and sizes, the same Korean beauty standards are seen in the Indian beauty market.

Body Shape

In general, slim bodies are regarded as beautiful according to Indian beauty standards, similar to what we’ve found in Korea.

Korean vs Indian body beauty standards

However, unlike Koreans, an hourglass figure or even a curvy body shape is rewarded and demanded by Indian men and seen as an equally important beauty standard.

Nevertheless, similar to most Asian countries, boys & girls with an inverted triangle figure are considered unaesthetic and undesired.




Why Are Beauty Standards So Strict in Korea?

A study from 2009 found that Korean women are very critical of their overall looks and, thus, prone to lower self-esteem and self-satisfaction compared to women from the United States.

A 2015 survey conducted by Gallup Korea determined that approximately one-third of South Korean women between 19 and 29 had plastic surgery.

Strict Korean Beauty Standards

A more recent study from 2020 determined that 20% of young Korean girls have undergone cosmetic surgery, a percentage significantly higher than the average of most countries.

The pressure to uphold a Korean standard of beauty is so high that it’s felt within all social strata, including the job market.

Compared to the West, South Korean employers require a photo, height, and even the family background of the applicants as a part of the hiring process.

Competitive Socio-Economic Ladder

Beauty is often seen as a means for socio-economic success in the rapidly modernized post-war economy of South Korea, which is going through a slow job growth rate after its economic boom.

As such, Korea’s highly skilled and educated workforce competes in a market with a short supply of job opportunities to climb the social ladder.

Korean beauty in workplace

South Korea has seen more than a twenty-fold increase in income per capita, with the country ranked in the top twenty economies in the world right now.

Women’s rights have also gained additional visibility within the country, “visibility accompanied by a rise in body dissatisfaction and eating disorders.”

Some Koreans view investments in beauty, such as cosmetic products and even surgeries, as investments.

Plastic surgery, dermatology, and cosmetic dentistry are means of cultural capital to get an edge over peers for social and economic advancement.

Media Influence

The ideal Korean beauty standard is often constructed and influenced by actors, TV personalities, and K-pop stars.

Korean idols try various diets and share their journeys on social media, influencing many young Koreans to try and replicate them.

Korean Beauty on social media

For example, the physical appearance of the famous Korean singer IU – well known for her diet of one apple for breakfast, one sweet potato for lunch, and a cup of protein for dinner – inspires the look of younger generations in Korea.

While already slim and tiny (162 centimeters tall and weighing around 45 kilograms), IU’s lifestyle choices – while questionable from a health perspective – are followed by most Koreans who want to look like her.

For example, the celebrity drinks 3 liters of water for five days straight to make her face and body look slimmer and thinner at the end of the week.

“On the seventh day, you’ll look like a skeleton,” she jokes, adding: “this way, you can go from thin to skeleton-skinny.”




Consequences of Korean Beauty Standards

Unfortunately, the strictness of Korean beauty standards has some expected negative results.

Below, I’ll enumerate the main 4 ones:

1. Excessive Beauty Products Usage

Korean Beauty Market

Compared to around $1.91 billion in 2014, South Koreans purchased and exported over $2.64 billion of cosmetic goods in 2015.

The most popular products in Korean beauty are blemish balm (BB) creams, color correction (CC) creams, serums, essences, ampoules, seaweed face masks, and scrubs.

Korean beauty products contain ingredients not commonly found in Western products, such as snail extract.

However, the high demand for Korean-style cosmetics and beauty products has attracted a lot of criticism worldwide for two reasons:

On the one hand, lots of environmental hazards, waste, and pollution.

On the other hand, a parallel market of fake Korean beauty products with serious health consequences.

2. Growing Plastic Surgery Rates

Plastic surgery in Korea

A global survey by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons found that in 2015, South Korea had the second-highest rate of cosmetic surgeries in East Asia.

Plastic surgery in South Korea is socially accepted and encouraged by media and celebrities.

However, there’s a less-discussed part of the beauty surgeries, such as the rise in the number of men who take their wives to court because the children do not look like their wives.

3. Unhealthy Body Image

Body shame and negative body image in Korea

Korean beauty advertising feels like bullying compared to Western beauty standards, pushing for acceptance and inclusivity.

The idea that “fat” is ugly is promoted in media to become successful and popular, even by female celebrities and hosts.

However, what the media fails to show is the darker side of being under constant pressure to be fit: unhealthy eating habits, disorders, and some extreme cases of death.

4. Idealist Kpop Image

Korean Kpop

K-pop is a considerable market in Korea (search “South Korea Music Awards,” and a list will come up).

Yet, all K-pop idols must meet the public expectations of Korean beauty standards in what has become a vicious cycle of starving or being starved.

Having to starve and keep disciplined (no food) or undergo painful procedures to meet beauty standards is not the correct way to live according to the Western lifestyle.

Yet, looking at the rate of obesity in the US and Europe and its strain on the welfare system, it becomes a highly debatable subject of whose approach is wrong or right.




Escape The Corset Movement

Following the #MeToo movement – women shared sexual assault and harassment stories on social media – Korean women launched the ‘Free The Corset’ campaign.

A feminist movement at the core, the protest was driven by the idea that societal oppression of women is like being bound in a corset.

Escape the corset movement

The movement aimed to deconstruct the culturally created definition of beauty, Korean men’s ideal of beauty, the aesthetic standard, and other common practices endorsed by media and the Korean Government.

As such, many Korean women have taken to social media in a backlash against unrealistic beauty standards that require them to spend hours applying makeup and performing extensive skincare regimes, which often involve ten steps or more.

Some Korean women have destroyed makeup, cut their hair, and rejected the pressures of getting surgery.

The purpose of the movement is to create space for Korean women to feel comfortable with themselves, away from social pressures that limit their identity.




Conclusion

The demand for K-beauty products (face masks, cleansers, moisturizers, makeup) is so high that the Korean beauty industry is now a top performer, forecasted to reach $14 billion by 2027.

Snail slime, bee venom, starfish extract, pig collagen, and morphing masks are unique ingredients for K-beauty products.

The growing demand for these products is generated by the overall idea of a Korean beauty standard and how these products can help buyers achieve that look.

The uniqueness of Korean society and culture, so much different from what people are used to in the Western world, is at the core of Korean beauty standards.

Undoubtedly, Korean’s ideas of fashion and beauty standards are much more restricted than those of the Western world.

Korean beauty expectations are either “ridiculous” or “unattainable” through an American or European lens of beauty standard.”

However, let’s not forget that Western beauty standards are just as strict, if not even stricter:

Tanned skin, symmetrical face, small upturned nose, big feline eyes, full lips, high and defined cheekbones, sharp jawline, slim or curvy body…and so on.

Beyond the universal, biological beauty standard, every culture has its beauty standard.

Such standards are deeply rooted in history and culture, so while alien to you, try not to judge but enjoy Korean beauty standards.

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Keep up with the latest in fashion, beauty and style!

Wendy Wang is a licensed cosmetologist, certified lash extension, and lash lift artist specializing in brow shaping, lamination, lash lifts and lash extensions. Operating from Manhattan, NYC, Wendy frequently shares over 19 years of multiple-country experience in the beauty industry with the audiences of several media outlets and publications.

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34 COMMENTS

  1. I can’t believe this author said that it is debatable which culture of beauty is “right or wrong”- the US and Europe rate of obesity with S. Korea, India, and Chinese countries promoting anorexia and eating disorders!? What?! I would think if anyone had common sense and critical thinking skills would SEE that neither one is GOOD at all. Where is the balance? Where are the realistic standards, in fact why are there standards of beauty period!? Everyone is a unique individual, with a unique sense of beauty. This is ill! This is sabatoge. This is unhealthy, and it continuously perpetuates so many mental health issues among men and women.
    At the end of the day, people need to STOP focusing on celebrities and what they do within a toxic industry that in the end destroys them. They are being paid to push this way of life and viewing one’s body unto the masses and unless I missed something, it doesn’t seem to be a positive thing.
    I am a Westerner and do not appreciate our culture trying to set a “standard” of beauty either, it’s toxic, and ugly. Walking around looking like a Kim Kardashian blow up doll is not my idea of “beautiful.” I want to look like I was born to look. With a healthy eating regime, exercise, and minimal beauty care/make-up application. That to ME is beautiful. Living authentically takes courage! I prefer to be courageous. And if anyone doesn’t like it, they can leave me alone, I don’t care for small minded individuals in life.

    If I were a woman living in any one of these countries I’d leave. Who wants to be pressed by family, friends, teachers, lovers, etc to look a certain way when your genes dictate that you more than likely won’t, without some serious pain (surgeries, etc.)
    We need to STOP killing our children with these toxic mind sets! We are destroying cultures! We are destroying people. Stop!
    Love yourself enough to not fall in line with someone else’s idea of what they think YOU should look like in order to be loved and accepted. You are loveable just as you ARE. Right now! IN this moment.

    • Thank you. I was disgusted as I went through this article, especially the part about India. As an Indian, I felt like the article had a more negative tone on women’s beauty standards, when it seems all the same for the rest of Asia (what is up with the obsession of light pale skin!?). Also, I’m sure my doctor would admit me to a hospital if I ever did weigh as much as kpop “idol.” It’s sad because I was really getting into their music, dramas, food and now I’m just sad.

      Rant over

        • Precisely my thought…

          The user I SAID IT has an issue with “killing children with toxic mindsets” whatever that means to her/him, while the user FOR REAL “felt” the article had a negative tone towards women with dark skin while biased towards skinny beauty standards? You people are looking for things to feel offended about….

          If you take the time to read the article, you’ll notice it does not take any stance on what’s “right or wrong”, or which country’s beauty standards are better or worse. It is just reporting on current Korean standards and compares them with other beauty trends in Asia. If you don’t like the beauty trends of a particular culture, send a complaint to the ministry of health of that country, be that India, Korea, or whichever country you feel is impacting your idea of beauty.

    • Thank you! While I was reading this article it also makes me feel uncomfortable.Indeed, in China we prefer the aesthetics of slim body, but extreme body like Zheng Shuang is also very controversial in China, but most people do not like this extremely thin body because it is not good for health. Most people in China think her figure is a little sick. She is not a representative of Chinese aesthetics at all. Moreover, more and more women in China are willing to improve their bodies through fitness and reasonable diet, but not to please others. On the contrary, this is just to make yourself have a better body. There are many words and opinions in this article that make me feel very biased and uncomfortable. His views are too one-sided. In fact, no matter what kind of aesthetics, health and suitability are the best.

    • Hold on a second….You’re ranting at the author for helping you learn about another culture and how they perceive beauty?!!! I mean..you really are a confused individual. For example, you say two different things all the time:
      “Where are the realistic standards, in fact why are there standards of beauty period!? Everyone is a unique individual, with a unique sense of beauty.”
      So… to you everyone is a “unique individual, with a unique sense of beauty (whatever that might be) but you insist on some sort of “realistic standards”?!! Realistic according to which culture? Norwegian? Nigerian? Korean? American?….

  2. Im amazed at reading this article, being a Western European national, having a tanned Latino body in the summer and pale skin in the winter.
    I do not understand the logic of Korean obsessiveness with fake pretty skinny looking barby doll lookalikes.
    Beauty is surely in the eye of the beholder and not in the fake wearing of makeup.

    In the western world many fashion models were anorexic, many died for the so called perfect look, what is perfection?
    Are Koreans so shallow and obsessed?
    It’s sad to see how the many who aren’t born with that Adonis body or looks are ridiculed, bullied, and marginalised.
    We know Koreans to be an amazing people although have found them to be insular and racist.
    Time for Koreans to join the real world with real diverse people of many colours, and sizes.

    I adore watching Korean serials, I admire the culture, as it’s much like the Italian way of life.

    • My thought as well and despite all of that I still love Japanese and Korean beauty and culture. It is subjective, according to each country so do not be so quick to judge, through your western lens!

  3. The first top woman is shown to be an example of ideal Chinese beauty. I searched who it was, and it turns out to be a model born in Vietnam. If you are going to show an example of ideal Chinese beauty, at least use a Chinese person.

    • The first pic is a comparison pic between a representative asian lady vs a representative western lady. It’s about face features, not about country of birth.

      • I was not talking about that comparison pic, but it is cool. I did not think it was fair at the time, but that is the beauty standard for Chinese women even though that woman is actually Vietnamese.

  4. If I just eat an apple for breakfast, a sweet potato for lunch and a cup of protein for dinner and five days with 3ls of water I won’t be skeleton-skinny but will be just a skeleton!

    • > 3 liters of water for five days straight

      Wouldn’t that cause *massive* problems with the body’s electrolyte balance?

  5. I’m actually Indian, but I was born elsewhere. I’m rather skinny for my age, but I was just totally and completely DISGUSTED about the criticism between the Indian and Western compared to the Korean standards to be pretty. Tell me, why the criticism between them? You can’t just bully people for what they look like and where they come from. THIS IS WHY RACISM IS ALIVE RIGHT NOW! Every country has it’s own beauty standards, and I say the lower the better. Every day, every minute, girls are looking at magazines of ‘beautiful’ people and wondering if they are good enough! We are all unique and you are just pushing people to get plastic surgery to feel better about themselves! DO NOT HURT AND CHANGE YOURSELF JUST TO MAKE OTHER’S HAPPY!! I can’t believe this criticism youre making!

    • I actually like the article a lot, and I am not sure what criticism you’re talking about. Maybe you meant comparison? If that’s the case, did you find the comparison racist? How?? Actually, just to make sure we’re talking about the same thing, did you read the article or just felt like venting off some frustration and didn’t know where?

    • I was reading through this and enjoyed this article quite a lot, but I didn’t find any racism there, so I’m wondering what you found racist??

  6. I guess all the offencive ones here had had the same standards at least once. They don’t like themselves anymore, dreaming of who they used to be, so when the author ponted it out, it seems they get just too hostile and say insulting words. Hey ladies, not every person cares how or what you think, just be yourself and understand that cultures are different and people have different views. As a Korean male, I can tell this article 100% explains the truth. The author is talking about my culture, not YOUR DAM INDIVIDUAL OPINION. You don’t like what reality is, then live your own!

  7. Wow, lots of Kpop style hostility here. NASTY comments. I will say this, intermittent fasting IS the way to heal autoimmune disorders, so is keto or low carb. I’d be much more on board with IU’s minimalist diet if it looked like she knew what she was doing. If she wants to IF, she needs to NOT have an apple or sweet potato. LOL. I have asthma, Crohn’s, my kid has type 1 (juvenile) diabetes and asthma, we have seen amazing results beauty wise and health wise (that’sthe big one for us) with IF and low carb. However, these kids exercise a lot, so I dunno how realistic it is. The other thing, for beauty, I found out by having COVID that most of us are SEVERELY vitamin D deficient. We started supplementing and old scars started healing, urticaria disappeared, I was floored. D3 is necessary for cellular regeneration and healing, so I guess it works on skin as well, which is the biggest organ in your body. Something to consider. What’s with all the nastiness here? This is a beauty site, guys, chill. Remember, other women are your potential friends, not competition.

  8. I am Asian, well, Indian but we, Indians, prefer the term Asian as it sounds cooler, more cosmopolitan as it is indirectly associated with Korean or Japanese beauty, while the use of Indian beauty makes people associate Indian looks with Bangladeshi and Pakistani.

    Anyway, back to the Asian beauty looks and trends, I feel that the overall Asian beauty (as a market of cosmetics) has been earning its place in the world, competing with the American beauty standard, at least in the movies, and so on.

  9. One of the best articles in Korean fashion right now. Some say that snail creams are no longer a thing but they have no idea what they’re talking about. Others, don’t really understand why paleness is such a beauty virtue. Some also talk about freckles without understanding that this is an article about Korean fashion standards, and freckles have nothing to do with Koreans.

    Personally, because I’m pale to the point of being pasty-looking, thanks to living in a northern climate, I prefer healthy tanned skin and I get outside to take in some air and vitamin D!

    As advice to Korean beauty girls, instead of snail creams, use sunblock to prevent cancer!

    I don’t even fit on this height standard list but then again, I am not Korean so my opinion doesn’t really matter.

  10. It’s sad to read about people unhappy with their natural looks because of society’s standards. But the author is just reporting the facts and it’s not like Korean culture is the only one where that situation exists.

    I was surprised that K-Pop stars usually reflect the beauty standards mentioned, since the two don’t seem a perfect match. For example, I’ve seen and read about male and female K-Pop stars who have displayed “happy trails” (abdominal hair) on stage or in other public settings. Abdominal hair is often associated with maturity or adulthood, and seems opposed to the youthful qualities idealized. It could just be a difference between what is beautiful and what is sexy, so there’s no contradiction in displaying both youthful looks and abdominal hair. I’ve also seen content of Korean women with unshaved armpits, and the impression was that it had sex appeal. Again, not exactly the youthful innocent image but more of a mature emphasis. Maybe these examples are exceptions to the rule, but the response to them seemed favorable anyway.

    • This was brought to my attention…No, I didn’t mean to suggest that Korean beauty standards should depend on what other cultures are doing. IMHO, even if clear-cut beauty standards were unique to Korean culture, Korean society alone should decide what standards and practices are best for itself.

  11. Great article overall, I think I learnt a lot from it. For those bashing the author in the comments, take it easy. You don’t have to agree with her, but I think she did a good job of presenting the facts, regardless of whether they’re sound, ethical or distasteful.

  12. Great article! Thank you! I am an American of Italian descent so pale skin I don’t have…lol… But I do use and love, love, love several Korean skin care products available at Marshals. Can’t say I’ve seen “Peeling Gel” available from US cosmetics companies. Am also quite fond of the collagen based skin care from Korea. ❤️

  13. Right now I am certain that almost the whole world will try to fit in the Korean beauty standard. Those with darker skin try to beech their skin. Everyone now is on diet or workout routine to slim down. Slim and lighter is now the standard. I have seen people get surgeries to have Asian (Korean) eyes. South Korea is actually setting the standard for the whole world. Even if its a small country. Everyone seems to be interested, I believe in the next 5 years Everyone would want to visit korea, eat what koreans eat, use whatever product they are using, wear what they wear. I’m not saying it’s bad. But this will bring pressure on a lot of people, cultures etc.

  14. I think in every culture their beauty standards :in Africa it is big butts(they do inject butt).long nails and blond hair wig(they put on glue on skin).In causacian: Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia small nose (every second girl do operate nose if she wants to get married‍♀️). Indian girls bleaching their skin by curcuma for 200 years now it is a british colonial ‘influence which being involved in their conscious mind from long time ago same as african american) Korean beauty standards it is same as other country standards but need more discipline which not every peoples ready to hold cz it is not just you made 1 time injection and you beautiful for a year.It should be daily keeping system.By the way koreans had “china” skin from their ancestors.As we see pictures there are always was segregation in korean society same as in India(even today) “cast system” in Africa- so every person can make their own choice: K standards or African standards, or even body positive standards .I myself trying every of each from time to time and very carefully going to doctors for under specialist control “try” what is more suitable for my health and life style.So do not blame and criticise -just choose which one is your.‍♀️

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