The Caucasianization of Koreans

My all-time favorite Korean commenter, Cho Se-hyon, examines the issue─Plastic Surgery Craze. He's as perplexed as I am:

What is more intriguing—at least for me—is the fact that this craze for a “foreign” look is going on in this highly xenophobic society at a time when young people are increasingly nationalistic and we are constantly being urged to uphold traditional values and be proud of being Korean.

In any event, I have nothing against plastic surgery and the “Caucasian look.” Nonetheless, though, I believe we should try and accept the way God made us or, if you like, how nature formed us. For, as they say, what’s homegrown is the best and most beautiful in the world.

Koreans are still proud to say that their ancestors respected their parents to such a degree that they would not cut their hair, as hair was inherited from their parents. But now, the majority of young people think nothing of cutting their faces. Confucius would be appalled.

Several years ago in the city formerly spelled Pusan, I was a bit dismayed to see an advertisement for a place billing itself as "The Catholic Cosmetic Surgery Clinic." Here in Pohang, a new shop just openned up named, I kid you not, "The Natural Beauty Cosmetic Surgery Clinic."