The Politics of Lingerie Modelling in South Korea
( Image by Camera Freak )
KoreaBeat has translated an interesting Korean article about the numbers of foreign models in the Korean lingerie industry, and although I’m not going to discuss it here, after all I’ve written on the advertising industry and women’s body images then I’d be remiss in not directing it to your attention! Reading about the numbers of Brazilian models entering the industry was especially interesting after what I’ve written about Caucasian body ideals, and I’d give it much more attention myself were I not currently half-way through a major post as I type this. Sorry.
I actually originally found it at FeetManSeoul (it’s a crosspost), but then if I was hurriedly scrolling down the page after I saw the accompanying photo then presumably you would be too. Click on the link at KoreaBeat if you’re at work.
Meanwhile, for those of you genuinely interested in the sociology of Korean women’s body images and not just pictures (or rather the lack of them) in their underwear, Brian in Jeollanam-do has some links to interesting articles about Koreans’ opinions on ideal face shapes.
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That’s a lovely bra. :D
Why thank you, but to wear or to look at? Or both?
Coincidentally -
I was talking (flirting) with a Korean co-worker (late 20’s, attractive woman) yesterday about a competing adult hagwon’s ad near our building. It is a giant picture of a sexy/chic white woman dolled up to look Korean. She thought all the models were American – I explained – she was shocked (not sure why – probably because Russians are poor).
Come to think of it, even the mannequins in the Lingerie stores I walk past on my way to work are blond and blue eyed. Padded (butt enhancing) panties, anyone?
Ahh, as usual, it’s all about the money. The Koreabeat article points out that underwear models are the lowest paid in Korea – so give it to the cheap foreign labor. In America, their is huge money to be made in Lingerie – Victoria’s Secret…. look at Tyra Banks’ career for example. Who is the most famous model in Korea? Lee Hyori? what does she sell – cell phones and soju. You’d never see a supermodel in the U.S. selling booze or electronics.
James, if people with dark skin dominated the global economy, everyone in Korea would be out tanning.
Brazilian models huh? most Brazilian models/stars are very white (German, Italian). Bundchen, the highest paid model last year (Forbes, $5 million from Victoria’s Secret alone) is Brazilian.
However, I would imagine that some of the darker skinned models are popping up do to the personal preferences of more open-minded (young) ad execs – or maybe its just a better way of grabbing peoples attention when all the other ads have white people.
My question is – What kind of logic permits it to be acceptable for women in mini skirts and halter tops to dance in the back of a truck to sell stuff while I can’t take my shirt off when hiking?