Humans have always been captivated by beauty, and for almost as long, we’ve been marketed products and new technologies to help us achieve certain beauty standards. Elise Hu is a journalist and the author of “Flawless: Lessons in looks and culture from the K-beauty industry.” In this episode, she shares the fascinating insights she’s learned from years of studying the $10 billion K-beauty industry and the cutting-edge skincare, niche makeup products, and technology that promise to optimize our appearance. Elise and Chris talk about the real stakes of placing a premium on our looks, why a more inclusive version of “beauty” is worth pursuing, and how we can both enjoy and push back against the very human desire to feel beautiful. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Elise Hu, a journalist and former correspondent in South Korea, discusses her book "Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital" in this podcast. The podcast covers topics such as the rise of South Korea's cosmetics industry, the influence of K-pop in the culture of lookism, the growth of cosmetic surgery in South Korea, and the globalization and soft power of South Korea's beauty industry. Hu also shares insights on skincare routines and upcoming movie projects.

Elise Hu, American journalist and podcaster, discusses the dangers of beauty standards in South Korea, the impact of technology on appearance pressures, and the financial and emotional costs of beauty work. She calls for bodily autonomy and culture change focused on self-acceptance and empowerment.