After a long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long period of being very very very very very busy, Eugene has actually finally found time to edit this episode. Rydia is back and our subject today is plastic surgery.
This picture has been circulating the net for quite a while. It shows the contestants for Miss Korea 2013. Some people say they all have the same face. What do you think?
But rather than criticize all the people in Korea getting it, we are discussing why Rydia made the decision to get it in the first place.
During the initial banter of this episode we got some letters from Dave and from Kathleen. Dave’s letter sparked a discussion on Western remakes of Asian films. Kathleen’s letter caused us to discuss foreigner privilege in Korean settings.
News of the Weird:
- (Korea Herald) Rural village in Korea exposed to nudist resort
- (Huffington Post) – Blogger Praises K-Beauty While Calling Asians ‘Ching Chongs’ In ‘Funny Clothes’
- (BBC) – TV host’s race jokes spark Brazil-Korea online war
Rydia Kim was once a co-host on Café Seoul, and she’s returned to discuss plastic surgery in Korea. As someone who recently got a procedure or two herself, she’s here to elaborate on her decision to get plastic surgery, and how her initial aversion to the practice was overcome. She also goes in detail about how the procedures have helped her to be confident and how it is important to have a positive body image. Later Rob and Rydia discuss why plastic surgery is such a trend in Korea, and how body alterations work in the context of Korea’s modern culture.
Rydia can be found @Rydia0722 on Instagram
If you’re an expat in Korea, chances are that you are her friend on facebook already, or are at least friends with someone who is her friend. She’s very popular afterall.
Café Seoul 
Much of that has to do with the job market and having your picture attached to your resume/CV in Korea. You picture is attached to everything that you apply for in Korea from schools to where you will work. I read President Moon wants/wanted to change that, and I think he might have in the public sector. However, that reform is going nowhere in the private sector. In many other countries that practice is illegal.