Wang, Yuqing2016-01-122016-01-122015http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/17372This thesis focuses on South Korea's cosmetic surgery industry. Its discussion covers three aspects: cause of the fast booming cosmetic surgery practices in South Korea; Korean Pop culture as a live advertisement promoting surgery clinics and pressuring more people to undergo cosmetic surgery; and the impact of cosmetic surgery on South Korean society and economics. The thesis challenges some interpretations on Korean cosmetic surgery that western media reports put forward. Many of these reports outline how influenced Koreans are by the "western standards" of beauty and, therefore, are trying to "look more western" through surgery (Kyung Lah, CNN.com ). This thesis argues that the reasons that account for the Korean surgery boom can be traced to a set of more complicated factors, both historical and cultural. These factors gave birth to aesthetic surgery practice, while Korean Pop culture and stars largely encouraged the continued expansion and growth of the Korean cosmetic surgery industry. Jointly, these two forces together have made South Korea the most surgically-enhanced nation on the planet. In conclusion, the thesis examines the impact of such pervasive beauty surgery practices in South Korea.Surgery, Plastic -- Korea (South)Surgery, Plastic -- Economic aspects -- Korea (South)Surgery, Plastic -- Social aspects -- Korea (South)Popular culture -- Korea (South)Medical care -- Korea (South)Thesis934514703