[One Sip of a Book] Appearance Viewed through Anthropology, Medicine, Science and Technology Studies, Disability Studies, Aesthetics, and Literature

Some sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book, while others instantly reach the reader's heart, creating a connection with the book. We present meaningful sentences excerpted from books. - Editor's note

The humanities magazine ‘Hanpyeon’ begins with the reality that everyone criticizes appearance-based discrimination but no one can easily escape it. Is appearance merely a shackle? Would a world where appearance is not mentioned and differences in appearance are unrecognizable be a better place to live? Following the dictionary definition of “the outward visible form,” Hanpyeon tried placing various things in the position of appearance. Crossing the dichotomies of visible and invisible, exterior and interior, superficiality and depth, it features ten essays on appearance spanning sociology, anthropology, medicine, science and technology studies, disability studies, aesthetics, and cultural criticism.

My current outward appearance is layered with the long time I have lived. Therefore, my appearance might be closer to the entity called ‘me’ that exists prior to any unclear inner value or ‘soul.’ We can properly gaze upon my appearance, which integrates the various events and experiences I have encountered throughout my life and reflects my entire existence, if only we summon the courage.

─ Kim Won-young, "On the Entity Called Appearance"

On the metaverse platform Zepeto, there is no need for a space to reveal my traditional self or daily life. This is because communication occurs through an avatar that is basically my proxy but can be completely different from me. It is precisely at this point that I face the situation of having to newly decide what kind of person I will be on Zepeto.

─ Kim Ae-ra, "The State of Metaverse Avatars"

Exploring which clothes fit my lifestyle or value standards inevitably involves searching for information and going through trial and error. Nothing happens automatically, and there is no guarantee that clothes others say are good or stylish will suit me. Ultimately, I think it is only natural to keep searching for appropriate clothes throughout the life given to me.

─ Park Se-jin, "How to Deal with Fashion Backlash"

What does the quantified ‘attractive female face’ tell us about ‘beauty’? The face of a globalized beauty where racial hierarchies have disappeared only tells us which faces are beautiful, not why those faces are beautiful. Why are ‘almond-shaped eyes, a blunt nose, or a protruding jaw’ not considered beautiful?

─ Lim So-yeon, "The Science of K-Plastic Surgery"

Korean viewers’ fondness for white people who love Korea is nothing new. However, upon closer look, the image of foreigners portrayed in nationalist content subtly differs from the stereotypical image of white people derived from research seven years ago. Foreigners who intensely empathize with Korean culture sometimes appear naive and at other times exaggeratedly ridiculous. This is how white people are othered on television.

─ Ahn Jin, "Why Are Only White People on TV?"

Appearance | Written by Kim Won-young, Kim Ae-ra, Park Se-jin, Lim So-yeon, Ahn Jin, Lee Min, Jung Hee-won, Park Jeong-ho, Kim Hyun-joo, Ilum | Minumsa | 212 pages | 10,000 KRW

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.