Viren Swami and Adrian Furnham; Translated by Kim Jae-hong from English to Korean; Alma Publishing: 336 pp., 15,000 won
Beauty depends on the eye of the beholder but many people are trying to live up to the expectations of others' beauty standards.
This book explores the complexities of physical attraction through scientific research on physical beauty, culture and the evolution of human attractiveness.
As beauty is a subjective matter, the authors use broad knowledge such as evolutionary biology, social psychology and comparative psychology to extend the awareness and challenge established beauty standards.
The book criticizes the bias of beauty standards by examining mate choice as well as physical characteristics such as physical symmetry, body weight and ratios and age. Also, social, cultural and customary elements have contributed to forming rigid standards of beauty. Particularly, the book points out discrimination against physical appearance in modern society that tortures both women and men into making themselves try to fit a mold.
Both fashion and cosmetic industries forge an exaggerated physical image to make women and men eventually lose the value of their bodies.
Also, they argue that not all the same standards apply to all cultures, telling readers to shed the obsession with the need to be beautiful.
-Chung Ah-young