Cosmetic Surgery to Get "the Korean look"

Apparently, people swept up in the "Korean wave" don't just stop at watching Korean soap operas and movies, or savoring Korean cuisine.

They also go for cosmetic surgeries, it seems.

According to a Taiwanese magazine, the wave had resulted "in an increase in facial reconstruction (in Taiwan) that makes the face smaller and thinner and slightly more Korean looking." (Taiwan Review, March 2006)

And if you're worried about the standards in Taiwan, fear not. According to the article, the island's surgical standards are as competitive as those of South Korea, the United States and Europe. What more, "the density of hospitals and clinics in Taiwan offers greater accessibility and convenience."

As for price, cosmetic surgeries in Taiwan are said to be 20 per cent cheaper than in Korea, and 60 to 70 per cent cheaper than in Japan and the United States.

But what if the craze is over and you want to deconstruct the look?