Reporter, Dogyung Lee
South Korea has long been associated with beauty trends promoting youthfulness. The term dong-an, meaning "baby face" or "looking younger than your age," has dominated ideals of beauty for decades. From K-beauty skincare to cosmetic surgery, the pursuit of a youthful appearance has profoundly shaped standards of attractiveness and even notions of self-worth. In a culture where looking younger is often equated with personal success, dong-an became more than an aesthetic preference—it became a societal expectation.
However, a new cultural shift is emerging: the rise of slow aging. This movement redefines what it means to age well, prioritizing long-term health, balance, and self-acceptance over simply concealing signs of aging. Unlike dong-an, which focuses narrowly on appearing youthful regardless of one's biological reality, slow aging embraces the natural aging process while maintaining vitality, wellness, and dignity. It encourages people to honor the passage of time, rather than deny it.
One of the leading voices behind this shift is Professor Hee-Won Jung, a geriatric medicine specialist whose YouTube lectures have gained millions of views. Professor Jung emphasizes a science-based approach to aging, particularly highlighting the importance of blood sugar management. According to him, spikes in blood glucose levels can accelerate aging by increasing inflammation and damaging blood vessels and skin cells. Therefore, avoiding rapid increase in blood sugar is essential for aging slowly and healthfully.
This philosophy aligns naturally with Hansik, or traditional Korean food, which emphasizes high-fiber, low-sugar, and fermented ingredients. Meals featuring kimchi, soybean paste stew (doenjang-guk), and barley rice not only stabilize blood sugar but also support gut health, which is increasingly recognized as vital for overall well-being. The slow fermentation process used in many Hansik dishes enhances nutrient absorption and bolsters immune function. Compared to Western diets heavy in refined sugars and saturated fats, Hansik provides a nutritional foundation that harmonizes with the goals of slow aging.
Even Korea’s biggest health and beauty store, Olive Young, is now embracing the slow aging trend. Instead of promoting products solely for wrinkle removal or skin whitening, the store now features skincare and wellness products that support stress reduction, quality sleep, hydration, and inner balance. This change reflects a broader cultural shift away from unrealistic standards of youth toward realistic and sustainable self-care.
Still, while the slow aging movement offers a refreshing alternative to youth-obsessed beauty ideals, it is not without potential drawbacks. As the market for supplements, functional foods, and wellness technologies grows, there is a risk that slow aging could become another form of consumerism — one accessible only to those with financial means. Expensive anti-aging regimens, organic meal plans, and specialized health consultations may not be equally available to all. Without careful reflection, the new ideal of "healthy aging" could become yet another social pressure to manage, replacing one rigid beauty standard with another. Moreover, although dong-an demanded the illusion of eternal youth, slow aging could risk imposing a different kind of discipline: constant monitoring of diet, sleep, and exercise.
Despite these concerns, the slow aging movement represents a significant and positive transformation in how Korea views aging. It encourages sustainable, accessible habits: regular physical activity, reduced sugar intake, stress management, and embracing nutrient-rich foods. Rather than chasing an unattainable ideal, slow aging fosters a healthier relationship with one's body and future.
In a society once obsessed with erasing signs of age, Korea is learning to embrace them—not by fighting time, but by walking alongside it with grace, strength, and mindfulness. Slow aging is not about reversing the clock; it is about understanding it, respecting it, and preparing to live each stage of life with intention and vitality.
The next great beauty trend may not be found in a syringe or a luxury serum. It may lie instead in a simple bowl of doenjang-guk, a mindful walk after dinner, a good night's sleep, and the quiet confidence that beauty deepens—not diminishes—with time.