Lecture Notes on South Korean Beauty Culture and Alternative Beauty Perspectives

Introduction

• Speaker: Grace Neutral, tattoo artist and activist.
• Focus: Ideas of alternative beauty, body image, and societal beauty standards.

South Korea's Beauty Industry

• Illegal Tattooing: Tattooing is illegal in South Korea despite a growing interest in body art.
• Market Size: South Korea has a $6 billion domestic beauty industry.
• K-Pop Influence: K-Pop’s influence is significant on beauty ideals, shaping trends throughout the region.

Beauty Shopping in Myeongdong

• Myeongdong Area: Epicenter of beauty in Seoul, filled with shops dedicated to beauty products.
• Consumer Behavior: South Korean women spend more than twice their income on beauty compared to American women; men now also contribute significantly.
• Skincare Routines: Koreans often employ extensive skincare routines (10-18 products daily).

Beauty Standards and Practices

• Perfect Skin: High societal emphasis on flawless skin; K-beauty products are highly sought after globally.
• Makeup Application: Average makeup application time: 2 hours daily.

Interaction with Local Beauty Enthusiast

• Meeting Olana: A young woman embodying mainstream beauty in South Korea. Discusses her beauty routine and experiences.
• Cosmetic Surgery: High prevalence of cosmetic surgery among young women (60% in their 20s) and societal pressures to conform.

The Spa Experience

• Personal Experience: Grace discusses feeling out of place in a spa due to tattoos and a Burberry coat.
• Cultural Attitudes: Encounter with a staff member requesting that Grace change in private due to her tattoos highlights societal perceptions.

Plastic Surgery Outlook

• Olana's Perspective: Discusses the normalization of cosmetic procedures for young people and the pressure to conform to K-Pop ideals.
• Concerns: Grace expresses discomfort with the pressure on young girls to undergo procedures like Botox at an early age.

Cultural Differences

• 24-Hour Spa Culture: Description of the unique environment of a 24-hour spa where people can sleep overnight and socialize.
• Beauty Regimes: Olana shares the significance of beauty routines in her life; highlights societal expectations.

Conclusion

• Impact of K-Pop: The influence of K-pop idol standards on beauty ideals is profound, leading to extreme measures in beauty practices.
• Tattooing vs. Cosmetic Surgery: Contrasting the acceptance of cosmetic surgery with the illegality of tattooing in South Korea.
• Exploration of Alternative Beauty: Grace’s intent to explore the alternative beauty industry and young Koreans challenging traditional beauty standards.