Koreas culture of personal improvement would make a Kardashian blush, as plastic surgery is far more pervasive than in the US. This obsession with appearance is known there as lookism, Ahrens writes.
Korea has the highest number of plastic surgeons per capita and the worlds highest rate of cosmetic surgery.
The motives for this go beyond narcissism, speaking instead to the intense competitiveness of Korean culture, where resumes include headshots, Ahrens writes.
Job applicants know that in Korea, as everywhere in the world, the better-looking of two equally qualified job seekers will likely get the position, he writes.
As obsessed as Koreans are with appearance, they are equally driven, somewhat ironically, by alcohol.
Soju is considered more than just a drink in Korea; its a corporate bonding agent believed to lead to closer teamwork, better productivity and the creation of real affection between colleagues.
Ahrens held a party at his house with people from work and others. But his employees viewed it as an obligation. They spoke to no one there but their fellow co-workers, and spent the night serving drinks to their superiors.
Ahrens got a taste of this extreme hierarchy while representing the company at a car show.
There was the chairman making his way through a parting motor-show crowd, at least 20 dark-suited men following, some taking notes. The effect was that of a long, black eel snaking its way through a crowd of startled media.
FRANK Ahrens was director of global PR for Hyundai, based out of their Seoul, South Korea, headquarters.
Source: news.com.au
