Have you ever wondered how Koreans achieve such radiant and vibrant looks? This article will explore the dermatological advancements in beauty, highlighting the importance of elegance in Korean society and its rather particular ties to renowned K-Idols .

What is the History of Skincare within Korea?

Skincare has been an integral part of our lives ever since ancient times. A prime example of this is seen with Cleopatra, Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, who bathed in milk and honey to keep her skin soft. As an intrinsic property of human beings, we constantly seek to elevate ourselves to an ideal of beauty that is considered worthy of excellence. During the Joseon Dynasty (조선), beauty wasn't just about appearance; it was tied to the social values. For example, being slim and having pale, perfect skin was important for women as it signified “purity” and a high social status, reflecting in the societal importance of elegance and high beauty standards even to this day in Korea.

Evolution of Skin Care Therapies

Korea’s beauty secrets date back centuries, with ingredients like ginseng, rice extracts, and green tea. People relied on simple home remedies to keep their skin clear. Over time, advancements in science propelled Korea to the skincare innovation, becoming famous for its advanced technology on addressing skin issues more effectively. Today, Korean skincare is known around the world for its high-quality and efficient products and treatments. For illustration, Korea is renowned for their “K-beauty clinics”, which offer laser therapy, skin regeneration, and non-invasive procedures for a rejuvenated look and moist skin. Many of these treatments focus on quick results with little downtime, with an overall mindset within these Korean clinics being creative ingenuity for new technologies, setting trends that the world follows. These ubiquitous practices mirroring the technology in Korea,  such as in Turkey.

Impact on K-Stars

K-pop idols and Korean actors with perfect skin are more than just celebrities—they’re icons of beauty. Their flawless looks are key to shaping what society sees as beautiful. In the culture of Korea, where masterpiece dramas and delicious cuisines are born, there also exists an expectation of glamour. These stars that we perceive as perfect, undergo strenuous routines to maintain their looks and perhaps their career. This is evidenced in the documentary “Bodymentary”, which highlighted these issues. Not only do they complete a curated set of skincare routines they also struggle with their body weight appearance. Hwasa, from Mamamoo, is known for breaking beauty stereotypes in K-pop. She also opened up about the hate she received early on, saying that some fans actually tried to get her removed from the group with a petition because of her appearance. She quoted, “Back then, the beauty standards were incredibly rigid. It felt like an inescapable part of being an idol,” she said. “I once secretly ate a black sesame rice cake and felt such guilt that I vomited. This led to anorexia and depression.” 

Conclusion

Abstaining from a normal diet for the sole purpose of looking slim and ‘acceptable’ is a major concern seen in many K-pop stars and celebritiesIn the near future, it is a significant area of awareness that hopefully these practices are reduced,swaying away from the harsh beauty standards in this industry. Concluding the secret–it’s no surprise that Korean celebrities are almost perfect in every way, but at an unrecognised cost that deteriorates their mental health. Which begs the question; is the secret better off a secret?

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