Vanity Pre-Veils

Korea has been an expanding economy since the early 1960s, when the dictator Park Chung-Hee rose to power. Although his rule was autocratic and unpopular, it led to mass industrialisation of the country and the large-scale movement from the country to the towns. This led to a boom in the economy which gave Korea a platform to build on and became the high-tech industry powerhouse with which it’s associated today. Seoul itself is a prosperous, ultra-modern metropolis with a modern infrastructure and in particular, a fantastic Metro system, with the rest of the country being dragged along into the so-called ‘first-world country’ bracket. All this relative new wealth and the population movement from rural to urban life is obviously fundamental in the stability and indeed the progression of the Korean people (well South Korea anyway, it goes without saying the North is an entirely different kettle of fish). This however, comes at a cost. Over-population, environmental concerns and unemployment are issues facing any major city in the world and these are certainly prevalent issues in Seoul too. However, the issue which I would like to discuss is far more important, than any of these. It is the pervasive, sinister threat of VANITY.

Every modern city in the world will have the trappings of wealth. Wanting to look one’s best is not necessarily a bad thing. And far be it that a young(ish) male like myself would criticise the particular Korean attachment to high heels and tiny, tiny shorts. This love for somewhat impractical fashion is nothing new, especially in a burgeoning metropolis now so influenced by Western (and particularly American) culture. And of course, every major city has its fashion-conscious element which rigidly follows the current trend and in no way am I singling out Seoul for special treatment. However, this fondness of such fashion is so unerring that it’s not uncommon to see a girl getting her high heels stuck in the sand on a beach. Or even more hilariously, when Koreans love of hiking clashes with the inflexibility of their fashion whims and someone comes tottering past you on stilettos up a bloody mountain! It is when this preoccupation for impractical clothing almost sends you to your death that you really should start asking yourself questions.

And of course, if one is to go to such efforts for a stroll up a nearby mountain, then one must check one’s appearance at every given opportunity. The constant mirror gazing is not reserved to private moments but is blatantly adhered to anywhere and everywhere, including once again, the beach. A recent visit to Jungman beach on Jeju Island was very amusing due to the behaviour of two young women there. They seemed to spend most of their time posturing and pouting to no-one in particular in between checking their appearance at least every 5 minutes. Honestly, what could have changed since the last time they checked? It’s unlikely some terrible affliction could have occurred in that time. Although, maybe a stray hair out of place is just as dramatic to these simple beings. What was also comical was the way these girls would edge up to the water, dip their toe in and then frantically scurry back to the safety of their mirrors. They didn’t even go in the ocean for God’s sake! However, what really took the biscuit was a trip to the local swimming pool. Again, there were two girls slinking around the pool edge taking photos of each other on their bikinis from every conceivable angle. And don’t forget this isn’t some glamorous shoot in the Maldives, this is at a jam-packed family swimming pool in the centre of Seoul.

This penchant for self-admiration is not reserved for the female population of Seoul, either. Far from it in fact. The average Korean male is rather stylish (or certainly more so than an English scruffbag like myself) and he also spends a large proportion of his free time gawking at his own reflection. Males also like to look their best on the beach and many young bucks like to parade around in what appear to be far too small briefs with massive padding in the front. Perhaps, the most blatant observation occurred last week though. I had to laugh out loud at one young chap in the public bathroom taking photos of the top of his head, just so he could check the hair that was out of eyesight! That surely is taking it too far and this guy should take a long, hard look at himself. Or maybe that’s the problem. . . . . .