Should South Korean society be more accepting of obesity? That is what some advocates are saying:
Alina Shamsutdinova, a 22-year-old Kazakhstani student in Seoul, says she doesn’t want others to pity her because of the body shaming she went through during her years in South Korea. “I want to show people ‘I am who I am, and I think I’m beautiful,’” she says. (Photo credit: Alina Shamsutdinova)
Alina Shamsutdinova thinks she can’t dress up to her potential in South Korea. The 23-year-old Kazakhstani arrived in Seoul in 2011, as an international student, in hopes to learn about the country of her ethnic origin. Born to third-generation ethnic Koreans in Kazakhstan, she grew up thinking she was beautiful, feeling confident and comfortable in her skin.
Yet things started to change when she realized some people in Korea didn’t see her the way she saw herself. “Among the things I heard was ‘It’s okay to be ugly, but being fat is unforgivable,’” she said in an interview with The Korea Herald.
“Another was ‘You’re really lucky that you have a pretty face. Otherwise you would never be able to have a boyfriend.’”
While she has always considered herself a confident person, Shamsutdinova said a part of her struggled with her self-image during her stay in Korea. She was often told by Koreans that she should lose weight. Most local clothing stores didn’t have any items available in her size. [Korea Herald]
Frankly, she sounds like one of the people tbone quotes. Part of being an adult is not whining when someone disrespects you.
Smokes
8 years ago
While I agree with that from the social aspect I don’t however on the consumer one. Consumers have every right to demand change from retailers when the products don’t suit them. The circular relationship of the consumer-retailer-supplier-manufacturer is a fundamental part of the circle of industry. Unfortunately now days too many want to pass on their power to the government and cry to it every time something they don’t like occurs in the circle.
Frankly, she sounds like one of the people tbone quotes. Part of being an adult is not whining when someone disrespects you.
While I agree with that from the social aspect I don’t however on the consumer one. Consumers have every right to demand change from retailers when the products don’t suit them. The circular relationship of the consumer-retailer-supplier-manufacturer is a fundamental part of the circle of industry. Unfortunately now days too many want to pass on their power to the government and cry to it every time something they don’t like occurs in the circle.