South Koreans scramble for cosmetic surgery as end to pandemic mask-wearing nears
- Surgeons say patients have been spending government stimulus payments on altering their faces – and not just the parts that can be easily hidden
- Some US$1.37 billion in cash handouts has been used in the country’s hospitals and pharmacies, government data shows
When Ryu Han-na, a 20-year-old university student, got cosmetic surgery on her nose in mid-December, she had a simple reason: it might be the last chance to do so covertly before people start taking off masks this year as vaccines are distributed.
Ryu, who has been attending her courses online throughout 2020, said the ability to recuperate at home and wear a mask in public without drawing attention were deciding factors.
“I always wanted to get a nose job … I thought it would be the best to get it now before people start taking off masks when vaccines become available in 2021,” she said as she prepared for the 4.4 million won (US$4,067) procedure.
“There will be bruises and swelling from the surgery but since we’ll all be wearing masks I think that should help,” she added.
