Abstract
This study investigates the complexities of the modern South Korean beauty culture, including Korean aesthetics and Korean female beauty ideals. A challenge in investigating Korean beauty is the limited amount of English literature on this subject. The majority of this literature consists of large-scale survey studies. The in-depth literature on Korean beauty is mainly focused on cosmetic surgery. In addition, many authors describe Korean beauty as primarily “Westernized,” “globalized,” or “homogenized.” Through a historical and sociological survey of the Korean beauty culture, through the exploration of Korean aesthetic concepts like meot, and through in-depth interviews with South Korean women about their experiences with their own Korean beauty culture, it is revealed that Korean beauty is uniquely and specifically Korean. Along with contributing to the knowledge base of East Asian Studies, this project helps to differentiate Korean beauty from the beauty of East Asian neighbors like China and Japan.
Advisor
Graham, Mark
Department
East Asian Studies
Recommended Citation
Williams, Kelsey M., "A Specifically Korean Beauty: Understanding the Interplay of Modern Korean Cultural Identity and Korean Beauty Ideals" (2014). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 6004.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/6004
Disciplines
Asian Studies
Keywords
modern, Korean, beauty, ideals, aesthetics, female
Publication Date
2014
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2014 Kelsey M. Williams