Posted on 05/14/2006 7:31:24 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
For love and money, Koreans turn to facial tucks By Su Hyun Lee The New York Times
SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2006
SEOUL Fat is something that most people would want to remove from their cheeks. Kim Eun Young, however, had her cheekbones plumped up by a cosmetic surgeon in the hope that her husband's business would blossom.
"People say that the fortunes of a husband and a wife go hand in hand," said Kim, 36, a housewife. "But I've never had plump cheeks and two fortune-tellers told me that this meant that money would slip away."
In South Korea, where cosmetic surgery and fortune-telling are national obsessions, it was perhaps inevitable that the two would eventually combine.
Men and women of all ages are increasingly undergoing plastic surgery so that a new nose with a straight bridge and distinct nodules, a slightly wide and protruding forehead, or sufficient cheekbones will bring wealth and the drive to take charge of their lives.
"One in 10 of my patients asks me to operate on them based on what they believe would bring good fortune in the future," said Lee Won Suk, a plastic surgeon.
Bigger eyes and cherry lips - with the size of the upper and lower lips balanced - are particularly popular with women going under the knife because they suggest happiness and love to come.
And for those wanting to ward off bad luck, the removal of dark spots - especially those under eyes, which are called "teardrops" and predict loneliness - is a must.
Physiognomy, or the art of face reading, has been practiced for centuries in Korea - as well as in other Asian countries - as a way of divining a person's future.
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
Someone will make a lot of money for sure. However, they won't get mine.:)
Ping!
You know the rules
My cheekbones are quite plump enough, thankyouverymuch.
< |:)~
Korean ladies do not need this. IMHO.
South Korean actress Song Hye-Kyo enjoys huge popularity among in Seoul and in Asia. As economic standards improve an increasing number of young ladies opt for plastic surgery in South Korea.
South Korean TV actress Han Ye-Seul. The popular actress recently went throught a plastic surgery as many other actresses do.
Here, they will call it feng shui surgery
Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm looking over Korean women's faces. There seems to be certain distinct ethnic features and the culture has always gravitated toward the "Japanese look" while the poorer look more Mongolian, etc. Am I right?
Also, pictures of females from the 1800s show a more masculine look, prematurely aged--and that's the wealthy people. Seems like they grew more softer and graceful over time and as wealth and health grow. Am I correct in that assumption?
Finally, as the trend for Korean women is to become more Japanese-looking, the trend with Japanese women is to look like European women, particularly American starlets. Am I correct?
There are different facial preference for S. Korea, China, and Japan. For example, the following is the one preferred by S. Koreans.
On the other hand, Japanese prefer the following faces.
These days Japanese are no longer the trend setter in S. Korea. It is true that people in S. Korea gravitate toward Western look, in both body and face. It is not uncommon to see 5'8'' girls these days. They are adored not frowned upon as they were used to.
In the legends and folklore of ancient Korea, there are many references to really tall men and women. I did not believe it much. However, watching so many young guys and girl towering over their parents(guys 6'4' and up, girls 5'8'' and up,) now I believe them.
Forget about her. She is just an obnoxious pig.
My Korean Kewpie Doll......She turns 67 today......!
Happy Birthday! Wish long life for both of you.
Good for her, she's beautiful.
Tell her we wish her a happy birthday!
At least these fortune tellers aren't telling these ladies to run off with the guy who sells flip flops at the flea market like they told my ex-korean-wife.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.