East Vs. West: Korea's Top Plastic Surgeon Dishes On Polar Opposite Surgical Requests

Asian Boss had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Hyun Wook Jung, a renowned plastic surgeon based in Gangnam, a district so famous for the surgical specialty that it’s also referred to as the “Mecca of Plastic Surgery.”

Dr. Jung provided viewers with a glimpse into his daily routine. Aside from surgeries, his day consisted of consultations with patients who came from far and wide.

Dr. Hyun Wook Jung | *@dr_hyunwook_jung/Instagram*

At one point, he shared how different Asians and Westerners are when it comes to surgical requests.

Southeast Asians

On one hand, he explained that Southeast Asians typically get nose jobs. Since they are often born with a flatter face, they ask him to raise the bridge of their nose.

Southeast Asians tend to have big eyes but flat noses. Yes, they tend to raise the nose.

— Dr. Hyun Wook Jung, Head Plastic Surgeon

Europeans

Europeans, however, commonly have a bump on their nose and want to get plastic surgery to lower it.

On the other hand, European ethnicities tend to want to lower their nose and get rid of the hump shape. It differs by ethnicities.

— Dr. Hyun Wook Jung

A look at Dr. Jung’s Instagram account also shows Western women availing of skin-smoothening procedures. Botox and thread lifting help them achieve a more youthful appearance.

But what doesn’t change is the fact that people from both the East and West frequently avail of procedures like nose and eye surgeries, fat relocation, liposuction, and breast augmentation. Their cultures may be completely different, but their pursuit of beauty remains the same.

Nose and eye surgeries, fat relocation surgeries, and liposuctions are consistently popular. Simple surgeries like breast augmentation is popular regardless of nationality.

— Dr. Hyun Wook Jung