K-Netizens respond to Subway Ads Promoting Plastic Surgery for Dogs

Recently, subway plastic surgery ads targeting dogs have sparked a heated debate among South Korean internet users.

South Korea has long held a reputation for being a hub for plastic surgery, with advertisements for cosmetic procedures saturating subway stations. With the increase in complaints about these advertisements that promote cosmetic procedures, the Seoul bus and subway system banned advertisements for plastic surgery at its stations starting in 2018.

However, the plastic surgery ad campaign in subways seemed to have shifted to cosmetic procedures for pets. The controversial campaign features before-and-after images of dogs undergoing cosmetic procedures, such as a Welsh Corgi receiving a tail dock and a Dobermann receiving ear cropping.

However, passersby are in for a surprise upon scanning the QR code; users are directed to an unexpected page that disapproves of cosmetic procedures on pets.

The advertisement page explains, "Are you unfamiliar with dog plastic surgery? Doberman's ears are not naturally pointed. Welsh Corgi's tail is not naturally short, either. The 'pointed ears of a Doberman,' symbolizing courage, and the 'cute tail of a Welsh Corgi' are results created by surgery.

Cosmetic surgery entails significant pain and loss for dogs. In particular, tail surgery is akin to removing a dog's primary means of expressing emotions. Most European countries have banned surgery for these reasons of animal cruelty.

Please love them as they were born."

The dog cosmetic surgery ad was actually a public service advertisement that shocked K-netizens online. Many were astonished to discover that the endearing features of Corgis' tails and the iconic pointed ears of Dobermans are actually the results of cosmetic alterations performed by humans.

Korean netizens commented:
"I wonder how many people would be scanning the QR code to find out what that ad is?"

"This is why I stopped liking Bae Jung Nam because he did plastic surgery on his Dobermann three times to get his ears to look a certain way."

"I really don't understand why people would cut Welsh Corgi's tail."

"I didn't know there was an ad like that."

"People are crazy."

"I think these dogs are so much prettier before they get their surgeries."

"That's animal abuse for sure."

"I wonder if people really think these dogs look better after the cosmetic procedure."

"The greed of people is endless."

"This is disgusting how people want to change the image of their pets."