Korean Wave

It’s clear that Koreans do not want to mirror the same image as the Korean idols because they do not want to have the same identity as the idol groups. Two different views by Koreans of viewing the music industry but Kpop is not influencing their fellow listeners to do plastic surgery. The drive that had caused Koreans to go under the knife is still a bit unclear but we are able to comprehend their view within their own nation in the way it is used in their society. Kpop music is not just contained in South Korea it has drifted out of the country and reached to other foreign nations as well as plastic surgery.

The Korean Wave(한류, Hanryu, Hanryu star )has outbursted worldwide through the Internet using YouTube an accessible website to view Kpop music videos. The Internet has accelerated cultural diffusion by making new knowledge and insights easily accessible[1]. Kpop has made a huge phenomenon out of the Korean borders Kpop groups have dominated music charts. Fans that have an affinity for Kpop meaning always up-to-date with Kpop music trends lead to a Kpop co-culture in foreign nations. With the glorious images of Kpop idols representing in their videos something has also caused a change in foreign nations such as China and Japan. Kpop music has spread to its neighboring countries and thousands of fans of Korean culture become themselves Korean. Plastic surgery has also swept in these nations but in a different view compare to the Koreans. In 2010 a total of 200,000 foreign visitors did medical tourism to have a touch up and/or go through surgery to mirror their favorite Kpop idols[2]. In Japan, Korea holds a great reputation of presenting the top cosmetic beauty and affordable plastic surgery. Making South Korea the best results in plastic surgery[3]. These are the patients that walk into the doctor’s room and asked them to make them look as the idol they admire. An extensive amounts of money is spend on a single trip that sometimes plastic surgery clinics provide pick up services at the airport, hotel rooms, entertainment, and even interpreters for those that cannot speak Korean. Foreign visitors in Korea wanting to become more Korean have left Koreans neutral about the situation but a bit disturb of their image to mimic Korean image. Koreans interviews have explained “ We do not care if they (foreigners) are coming to Korea to get plastic surgery is their own personal choice it has no affect to us. But as a Korean we thank that our music is appreciated global wide. They should not have Kpop represent Korea and a Korean person there is more than just Kpop in Korea[4].”