I mentioned in an earlier posting written while visiting Taiwan in 2005 that, in addition to media products such as Korean movies and dramas, there is another “Korean wave” out there.
As I mentioned in that posting, “Korean-style plastic surgery” (韓風整形) can be found advertised on the streets of Taipei. In this advertising we see a “before” and “after” shot indicating how a customer might be transformed into Bae Yong-jun:
On my recent trip to Shandong, I discovered that this was not limited to Taiwan but can also been seen in mainland China. In fact, the main shopping street of Jinan (which includes a Walmart and various famous brand clothing stores) was lined on both sides for several hundred meters with an illuminated advertisement for “Korean-style plastic surgery” (韓氏整形). This time, instead of Bae Yong-jun, they chose the image of a woman in a hanbok to give it an authentic look.
March 25th, 2008 at 21:56
isn’t it the main character of 大長今, a very popular Korean drama a while ago?
March 25th, 2008 at 23:29
The photo you took in Taiwan is really funny. To me, the Taiwanese guy on ‘before’ does not appear bad at all. Bae Yongjun’s feminine look combined with a muscular body rather looks bizarre.
Hi, Sayaka, if either you or Mitchy doesn’t mind, can I answer to your question? I don’t think he could give you a proper answer given he’s not much interested in TV dramas and actors.^-^ It’s Lee Youngae (이영애) who was starred as 長今이-an informal name for the character, since the drama’s huge success, this name has become a general nickname for every girl who is a good cook-, and the woman on the advertising board is not her. I even wonder if she is really Korean because her appearance is not like what we would mostly expect from ‘after-surgery.’
March 28th, 2008 at 4:13
Nice meet to you!
I’m KOREAN.
Your blog is very funny!!
Very nice!