HETI Sophomore Speaking Practice Spring 2013
Week 2 Medical Services
Korea: Cosmetic surgery capital of the world (summarized article)
Korea Herald 2013-03-05 By Andre Dunne
Where is most cosmetic surgery performed? If you answered the USA, you are correct. More
cosmetic surgery procedures are carried out in America than anywhere else, with over 3 million
performed in 2011. However, according to new figures, when population is accounted for,
Korea leads the world. The figures, from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery,
show that Korea has the highest proportion of its population undergoing cosmetic surgery, with
one in every 77 Koreans turning to the knife or the needle.
Interestingly, some scholars such as professor Ruth Holliday, of the University of Leeds in
England, and professor Joanne Elfving-Hwang, of the University of Frankfurt, suggest that the
number of Koreans who undergo cosmetic surgery is likely considerably higher. The reason
being, they say, is that surgical procedures often take place at private clinics and therefore only
a fraction of surgeries are recorded. NationMaster, a statistical website, puts the percentage of
Koreans getting cosmetic surgery in at around 20 percent.
And, cosmetic surgery is certainly not limited to the female gender. The Korean Association for
Plastic Surgeons estimated that the number of Korean men who had cosmetic surgery in 2010
stood at around 15 percent.
This, of course, still begs the question, why are Koreans having cosmetic surgery in increasing
numbers?
One explanation is that an attractive appearance is associated with positive social benefits. And
therefore, undergoing surgery is regarded as a worthwhile investment. Matchmaking agencies in
Korea often rate facial attractiveness as the most important factor ahead of other qualities.
Moreover, numerous studies have found that at the workplace and in their careers, overweight
and unattractive people frequently meet prejudices in hiring, advancement and salary. For
instance, in a recent survey of over 200 job recruiters in Korea, almost 70 percent admitted that
the appearance of applicants affects their decision.
Celebrity influence is believed to be another factor behind the cosmetic surgery boom in Korea.
The successful transformations of Miss Korea 2012 Kim Yu-mi and Kim Hyun-joong, formerly a
member of the boy band SS501, provide motivation to those contemplating surgery.
Another explanation for the high rates of cosmetic surgery in Korea is the desire to achieve a
more “Westernized” look. This is reflected in the popularity of certain procedures. One of the
most popular being “ssankapul” surgery, commonly known as double eyelid surgery, which
reduces excess skin in the upper eyelid to make the eyes look bigger. Another common
procedure is jaw reconfiguration.
Of course, altering one’s appearance to achieve a particular look is not a new phenomenon.
For instance, in pre-industrial China, women bound their feet. The Mayans practiced body
piercing. In Egypt, tattooing was prevalent. Until recently, though, deliberately altering the body’
s appearance was not a common practice in Korea.
This owes much to Confucianism, which formerly played a major role in the life of Korean
society. Confucianism strongly urges against altering the body as it is considered a gift from
one’s mother and father. Is Confucianism still valued in Korea? Yes. This is evidenced by,
among other things, a deference for the elderly. But, attitudes to Confucianism, at least in
terms of the body, are certainly “undergoing surgery,” pun intended.
Vocabulary and phrases
1.
have/undergo surgery
2.
when population is accounted for
3.
the reason being,…
4.
surgical procedure
5.
puts…at around 20 percent
6.
certainly not limited to the female gender
7.
the association estimated that…stood at around 15 percent
8.
this begs the question
9.
…is associated with…
10. matchmaking agencies rate…as the most important factor
11. …is believed to be another factor
12. this is reflected in…
13. …owes much to…
14. this is evidenced by…
Create a brief news story using at least three of the above phrases.
For example:
The number of people undergoing heart surgery has risen by 20 percent, according the
Association of Heart Surgeons. The association puts the number of the people having heart
surgery between the ages of 60 and 80 at 15 percent. Heart disease is associated with
unhealthy diets and lack of exercise. The higher rate of surgery owes much to the changing
Korean diet.
MATCH THE SYNONYMS (use the article to help)
is accounted for
only includes
puts (something) in at
is considered
is limited to
makes people think about
begs the question
reports
is associated with
an example is
rate
an example is
This is reflected in
is related to
This owes much to
choose
This is evidenced by
because of
MATCH THE SYNONYMS (use the article to help)
is accounted for
only includes
puts (something) in at
is considered
is limited to
makes people think about
begs the question
reports
is associated with
an example is
rate
an example is
This is reflected in
is related to
This owes much to
choose
This is evidenced by
because of