The place where Broadway and musicals are located.
The place where I will begin the next chapter of my nomadic life.
The place where I turn into an eccentric academic out of sync with normality.
NEW YORK.
Welcome.
The place where Broadway and musicals are located.
The place where I will begin the next chapter of my nomadic life.
The place where I turn into an eccentric academic out of sync with normality.
New York.
An aspiring hikikomori/ gomiyashiki owner who will get 3 dogs, 1 cat and a herb
garden when she is in her 40s.
Currently a second year Phd student in East Asian Studies, NYU; a self-proclaimed OTAKU; a
clumsy but avid snowboarder; and absent oneechama of Variel.
8 Sept 2010: West Side Story, WICKED
19 Sept 2010: Chicago
8 Oct 2010: Promises Promises
29 Oct 2010: Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake
14 Nov 2010: American Idiot
18 Jan 2011: Billy Elliot
8 Feb 2011: La Cage Aux Folles
6 Mar 2011: Paul Taylor Dance Group
5 Apr 2011: Catch Me If You Can (Broadway preview)
2 Dec 2011: La Boheme
9 Jan 2012: Rent
22 Mar 2012: Phantom of the Opera
23 May 2012: Avenue Q
26 Sep 2012: Newsies
2 Oct 2012: Turandot
4 Oct 2012: Once
15 Oct 2012: Sleep No More
28 Nov 2012: Lion King
7 Feb 2013: Book of Mormons
14 Mar 2013: Jersey Boys
25 Mar 2013: Sleep No More
21 May 2013: Kinky Boots
26 Sep 2013: Big Fish
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
2:40 PM
To feel sad or to judge...
Had a farewell lunch with Suyeon today at Picante. MX and Ingyo were there too. We started talking about plastic surgery in Korea.
In Korea, it has gotten to the stage where it becomes one's personal responsibility to look 'supermodel' level good. The basic amount of effort and work that one must invest into their looks includes plastic surgery, including nose lifts and double eyelids. The standard applies to both males and females, though females feel a higher level of stress. There are discount packages if you bring your friend to the clinic. There are also discount packages for mother-daughter customers. You can't land a good job if you don't look good enough.
Yes, I was shocked. But I hesitate to judge.
Humans have the amazing ability to endure pain and discomfort in order to twist themselves into a shape that is in line with the norms of their society. What about the girls with the bounded feet in China? And the various tribes in south america or africa where rings were attached to elongate the neck, plates inserted to enlarge the lower lip.
No matter how we like to say we are unique, as human beings, the need to conform to the standards of society is really quite inbred into us. I can confess that I am slowly but most inevitably buying into the cosmetics and facial products market. FYI, I just spent 4700 yen (SGD80++) on a Shiseido moisturizer. I will probably spend more next month, when I go and pick up the newest makeup base and facial cleanser that I reserved. (However, I am still grateful that I am not born in Korea. Spending thousands on plastic surgery is so wasteful to me. I'd rather spend the money on getting a Burton lao gong.)
Everybody desires to look their best, according to the particular standards of the society they are living in. And honestly, to those who do not try hard enough to conform, we will criticize. I mean, would you want an unkempt, unshaven, man with chibi mariko's hairstyle to be your boyfriend?
Just like clubbing, I can clearly see myself doing the dance, even though I find it crazy and weird. But at least I prefer this social norm rather than clubbing. LOL!
2 comments
