I’ve heard the argument that most Koreans (and Japanese and Chinese) who have plastic surgery are trying to look European and IMO think it’s a fallacy. Yes, Kpop idols and celebrities have a certain look, but it’s distinctly Korean if you’re familiar with other Asians such as Japanese, Chinese, Thai, etc.
None of the traits they typically go for, double eyelids, smaller, taller nose, more angled chin are distinctly European. There are native Koreans with some or all of those traits. Blonde and red hair may be influenced by Europeans, but again, in no way does having colored hair make a Korean look more European.
“I used to be vehemently opposed to elective plastic surgery, believing people should be happy with the body and face they where born with. Especially if you’re having children and are unaware of your partner’s true genetic makeup. I’ve often said that with my luck, I could marry Miss America and my daughters would take 100% after me!”
If I married someone who had extensive plastic surgery and didn’t tell me, I’d feel cheated because I believe in 100% honesty with someone I’m in a relationship with as that would leave doubts about what else I’ve been lied to about.
So you’re worried about someone not disclosing plastic surgery, or you’re under the impression that someone having plastic surgery - disclosed or not - is probably a habitual liar?
And like…if someone has a boob job, and your hypothetical future daughter might not have the same bazongas you married mom for, that is a problem for you?
BTW, Wendy is half Canadian and Irene is the one who changed my mind about being completely opposed to plastic surgery since her operations have cleanly defined what Korean beauty had.
Not worried, but disappointed if she (or it may be he) didn’t feel comfortable enough to be completely truthful. As I stated, for me a heartfelt, loving relationship requires 100% disclosure from both parties.
The same thought process applies to elective breast augmentation. Don’t feel comfortable enough to tell me about it. Okay, what else aren’t you telling me?
Call me cynical, but I’ve been lied to by women too many times (though it never involved plastic surgery), and while it didn’t end our relationship/friendship immediately, it was a factor in the breakup.
I don’t think elective plastic surgery is necessarily “cheating,” but it can be indicative of an unhealthy attitude in the individual or society.
But if it has to do with some contest or activity which is specifically about outward beauty - say a beauty pageant, competition or some modeling job, then I think elective plastic surgery is most definitely cheating, just like how taking steroids/PEDs is cheating for sports athletes.
If you can afford to do it, and want to, go for it. There are many “artificial” things you can do to look more attractive, plastic surgery is just on the extreme end.
Do I think Tom Cruise is getting jobs a typical 57 year old wouldn’t get? Absolutely. But he paid for it. I don’t think that’s unfair.
During my brief dive into KPOP i found that asking about natural beauty is their code for if a performer has had plastic surgery.
Plastic surgery in Korea is very popular and almost de rigeur for pop idols.
I have no opinion on whether it is cheating but think that some people need to be more careful about it since it has turned beautiful women like Dolly Parton, Meg Ryan, and Lisa Rinna into hard to look at.
Not plastic surgery related, but makeup “cheating” and one of my favorites TV moments ever!
Back when country singer Tanya Tucker first moved to glamming it up, way too much makeup and spandex pants, she appeared on an awards show and played up big time to the cameras. After she was done, the announcers brought on natural faced beauty Emmylou Harris with “Country’s Miss America, Emmylou Harris!”. The camera cut [or panned] to Tucker and the look on her face was priceless! There’s no doubt in my mind that both the announcers and camera director were fed up with Tucker!
Yes, “Were you always a natural beauty?” is definitely the code for “Did you have plastic surgery?”. One singer who obviously recently did something to her nose replied, “I take care [of my visuals] little by little.” I accept and respect that. Not cheating in my book!
Edit: BTW, I thought she completely ruined her unique beauty [actually her younger sister could be her twin] with the nose job, which was really obvious when she first had it, but I’ve gotten used to it. Still like her original look though. [If anyone is curious, I’m talking about Son Na Eun of APink.]
If the reason you’re concerned about womens’ appearances is that you’re trying to do genetic engineering on your kids, that’s pretty messed up, in my humble opinion.
I mean, I get worrying about partner genetics to avoid horrible genetic diseases, but blowing off a charming lady because “I’m sorry, you seem to have large nose genes and that cannot stand” seems like the wrong approach to me.
Wait, ZipperJJ’s question was about “plastic surgery - disclosed or not”. You ignored that and only answered the case where it was undisclosed. I’m actually totally confused now about what you’re asking. Your OP didn’t mention disclosing plastic surgery, only about whether having it done at all is “cheating”. If someone has plastic surgery and tells everyone about it, is that more acceptable to you than if they keep it a secret? Is it the surgery you object to, or the lying about it, or both?
I once dated a woman who had breast implants. She told me about it on our third date, before we’d even made out. Was it totally ok then because she told me about it?
I’ve got to say, the repeated references to “genetic makeup” are pretty creepy. What are you getting at? Do you pick partners based on some kind of eugenics theory about what kind of children you will have with them?
Plastic surgery is not cheating. But I don’t even think steroids are cheating. Anymore than makeup and high heels, or helmets and baseball gloves. Whatever you can do to get ahead in life is fair game, so long as you aren’t hurting anyone else.
Steroids are certainly cheating if they’re against the rules. That’s what cheating is - it’s covertly breaking the rules in an attempt to gain an advantage. (It’s not really about who’s being hurt - you have to be pretty dramatic to injure somebody while playing Candyland, but cheating is much easier.)
It’s probably worth noting that there’s no rule against plastic surgery. Well, unless you’re engaged in some sort of competition where there is a rule against it, like some sort of particularly picky beauty contest maybe.
I suppose the OP could be interpreted as the OP declaring a rule against plastic surgery, in the little dating game he’s playing in his head. In which case the rest of the thread is everyone else telling him they’re not playing his game.