South Korean Teens Are Getting Eyelid Surgery as High School Graduation Present
In South Korea, a country known as the plastic surgery capitol of the world, parents are paying for their teenagers to get double eyelid surgery before they head to college.
A video released by Tech Insider discusses this growing trend and the reasons parents have been financing the surgical procedure for their teens.
Instead of a typical gift like a car, teenagers get double eyelid surgery, which can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000. So why is this drastic gift so commonplace? According to a plastic surgeon from Seoul's Gangnam District, the trend has to do with first impressions and success after college.
"Most Koreans do not have double eyelids. ... Their appearance will look angry when they do not smile," he said in the video. "Many Asian people believe that the first impression is very important, and the most important part of the face is the eyes. ... Their eyes become bigger, so they believe their appearance will be much prettier than before."
He goes on to explain that Korea is a competitive society, and when it comes to succeeding in the job market, a pretty face is valuable. Meeting beauty standards gives possible employees an edge and offers them more opportunity.
While the surgeon explains that this expectation is not "completely true," parents still believe it and offer the surgery as a way to ensure their teens will have more opportunity.
Check out the video below for before and after photos and more on the growing trend.
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