As you walk through Korea’s Gangnam district, bright advertisements for high-end fashion illuminate your path. You notice common traits between the various models: fair skin, big eyes, and a high nose. Contrasting the night sky, fluorescent lights and big billboards proudly exhibit the epitome of East Asian beauty standards. These idealized traits have carried from ancient times to modern-day Asia, and are still promoted to younger generations. 

The media is arguably the most influential advocate of beauty norms. In Korean dramas and mainstream movies, actors and idols are portrayed with sought-after traits like those aforementioned. Yet, most of the time, these features are inauthentic and deceiving. On social media, users can edit desirable aspects into their photos before posting them. A Harris Interactive survey found that 50% of respondents aged 18 and above admitted to editing their photos before posting. Undeniably, similar practices of twisting reality are not limited to the occasional Instagram user: the K-Pop industry has been known to make an idol’s skin paler in photos by applying makeup or using editing software. 

From pale skin color to a small jaw, Asian beauty standards are unrealistic for many to achieve. Everyone comes from different genetic backgrounds that give them certain physical traits, so features such as big eyes and light skin are impossible for all people to have. Nonetheless, people are still pressured to meet these societal beauty standards. 

Some hope to achieve the ideal appearance through makeup: Whitening creams, circle lens contacts, and contours are just a few products people use to touch up their appearance. Using makeup is not inherently bad, but those who are still unsatisfied could take extreme measures like plastic surgery to achieve the ideal appearance. Gallup Korea found about “one in three South Korean women between the ages of 19 and 29 said they have had [plastic surgery] work done.” From double eyelid surgery to getting a nose job, many alter their natural traits to conform with society. These procedures are not always reversible, and if they are, they can be painful and expensive. 

As teenagers are exposed to the media’s advertisement for beauty ideals, they become consumed by self-deprecating thoughts as well: a study researching the relation between weight, gender, and depressive symptoms in South Koreans found that “the stress of adhering to social norms and avoiding stigma related to body weight seems to explain the relationship between higher body weight and more depressive symptoms.” Hope is not all lost, however, as new initiatives are being taken to address these concerning trends.

In recent years, there has been a rise in the self-love movement, which calls for individuals to prioritize their own needs rather than sacrificing their well-being and happiness to please others. For instance, the popular K-pop group BTS launched their Love Myself campaign with UNICEF, developing the self-esteem of young people and inspiring many around the world to love themselves for who they are. Undeniably, this movement has encouraged countless people to open up about their struggles against toxic beauty standards and has prevented many others from falling into the cycle of self-depreciation.   

On the other hand, self-love can be distorted to be accepting of yourself even if one’s lifestyle is unsafe. Therefore, it’s important to draw the line between unhealthy and healthy self-love and be aware of one’s bodily wellbeing. 

As societal pressures to meet beauty standards are still prominent in East Asia, it’s crucial to continue the self-love trend to combat the negative effects on the younger generation’s well-being. By finding beauty in one’s natural traits, one can mold oneself and escape from society’s cage.