Historically important, dating back to over 2,000 years ago during the Shilla Dynasty, kimchi is one of the most globally recognized exports from South Korea next to Hyundai and Samsung.

South Korea is also famous for something performed in mass that most people probably never think of.

What is that?

Plastic surgery. Seriously.

According to the penetrating site techinsider.io, “South Korea has the most plastic surgeries per capita on earth with over 980,000 recorded operations in 2014. That’s 20 procedures per 1,000 people, putting it ahead of the US’s 13 procedures per 1,000. And Korea has had the most operations per capita since 2009.”

South Korea is also becoming well known for something else shapely and beautiful.

Beautiful Fitness models.

What could go better with plastic surgery than a beautiful body that doesn’t need surgery, just blood, sweat and tears?

Gyms and fitness centers in South Korea, once a haven for older Korean wives (ajummas) is turning into a haven for sexy young Korean women looking to tone up and keep competitive in this new growing fitness conscious culture.

Some fitness companies are paying gorgeous young women to work out at their upscale gyms in order to increase male membership.

The fashion and beauty leader vogue.com speaks to this. “Korean women have to work at staying in shape like anyone else, and over the past three years or so, a new fitness movement has swept through the city—one that focuses on building muscle, not losing weight.”

Let’s meet some of the trend setting beautiful Korean Fitness Stars.

Yoo Seung Ok

This fitness beauty is a model with a very impressive body and body of work. Not only does she shine on the runway but also in a web drama entitled Girl’s Love Story.

She has garnered red hot attention for her perfect physique in the music video for Niel‘s latest solo “Lovekiller.”

This sexy girl with the killer body has a future that is coming to life.

Ye Jeong Hwa

The exciting group koreafemme.com glows about our next starlet. “Ye Jeonghwa is a fitness trainer who has recently been trending in Korea for her extraordinary fitness, completely athletic body and cute face! She often appears on TV and in fitness commercials.

Her fans claim she has the perfect physique that girls aim to achieve via fitness coaching. Ye Jung Hwa once said in an Interview that she is all about sports. The girl loves doing physical exercise like running, yoga and even a little surfing!”

Jhi Yeon-woo

We turn our attention back to techinsider.io to give us the inside scoop on our third fitness beauty. “Jhi Yeon-woo (born April 26, 1984) is an IFBB PRO South Korean female bodybuilder. She won the 2013 Arnold Classic Europe Women’s Physique competition.”

Now look at her incredible record of achievement:

• 2016 IFBB WPD New York Pro Show 3rd
• 2016 WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITORS (not by invite) 11st
• 2015 IFBB Vancouver Pro show Woman’s Physique 4th
• 2013 Arnold Classic Europe Physique 1st
• 2012 MISS KOREA 3rt
• 2011 NPC Excalibur Woman bodybuilding 2nd
• 2011 Muscle Beach International figure Open Classic overall winner
• 2010 Korea YMCA over 52 kg 1st

What a combination of beauty and talent.

Park Soo Hee

Look at this gorgeous girl. She’s a fitness model and bikini pro who is new on the radar but make no mistake about, please keep an eye on her because she ready for takeoff.

In recent years, shapely models are gaining acceptance. Park Soo Hee’s shape is to be greatly admired and desired.

It’s rare that we get a chance to travel to Seoul but after looking at these fitness princesses, there is no time better than the present.

SEOUL

Seoul is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea, forming the heart of the Seoul Capital Area, which includes the surrounding Incheon metropolis and Gyeonggi province, the world’s 15th largest city and fourth largest metropolitan area.

It is home to over half of all South Koreans along with 678,102 international residents.

Situated on the Han River, Seoul’s history stretches back more than two thousand years when it was founded in 18 BCE by Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

Seoul is surrounded by mountains, the tallest being Mt. Bukhan, the world’s most visited national park per square foot.

Modern landmarks include the iconic N Seoul Tower, the gold-clad 63 Building, the neofuturistic Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Lotte World, the world’s second largest indoor theme park, Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, the world’s longest bridge fountain and the Sevit Floating Islands.

Today, Seoul is considered a leading and rising global city, resulting from an economic boom called the Miracle on the Han River which transformed it to the world’s 4th largest metropolitan economy with a GDP of US$845.9 billion in 2014 after Tokyo, New York City and Los Angeles.

Japan is bustling with its vibrant Mega cities, yet in 2015 Seoul was rated Asia’s most livable city with the second highest quality of life globally by Arcadis.

The Capital Area boasts 15 Fortune Global 500 companies such as Samsung, the world’s largest technology company, as well as LG and Hyundai-Kia.

The leading global travel site Lonely Planet has great love for Seoul. “Over the last decade Seoul has worked hard to soften its industrial hard edges into an appealing urban ideal of parks, culture and design. Glass, concrete and steel are crafted into natural forms at the spectacular Dongdaemun Design Plaza & Park and the new City Hall. The popularity of the beautifully landscaped parks alongside the central Cheong-gye stream and the Han River has spurred on the creation of more green spaces and cycle routes. Join Seoulites enjoying time out shopping in stylish boutiques and drinking at cool cafes and convivial bars. Seoul is heaven for passionate foodies.

Public transport is brilliant, so there’s no excuse for not stretching your travel horizons beyond the city limits. The fearsome Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, splitting South from North Korea, exerts a powerful attraction and is well worth visiting.

Whatever you want, at any time of day or night, Seoul can provide.”

What do we want?

Well our visit to South Korea provided that. Beautiful fitness models, an impressive global city, majestic scenery and unforgettable food.

And here is:

Yangnyeom Chicken

MORE GOODIES

Andong jjimdak

AND ONE MORE

Songjeong Tteokgalbi

Here we only scratched the surface of the super sexy delicious girls that grace the rising South Korean fitness industry.

We love the girls.

We love the food.

We will come back for seconds.

~ ~ ~

Sources: brainyquote.com, Wikipedia, fciwomenswrestling2.com, FCI Elite Competitor, photos thank you Wikimedia Commons.

Yeon Woo Jhi Feature image found at www.muscleandfitness.com

Seoul Photo:

http://www.techinsider.io/south-korea-is-the-plastic-surgery-capital-of-the-world-2015-9

http://koreafemme.com/2015/11/03/beauty-powerhouse-south-koreas-sexy-fitness-models/

https://www.dramafever.com/news/korean-model-actress-yoo-seung-ok-proves-her-breasts-are-natural-with-ct-scans/

http://www.vogue.com/13420646/korean-women-work-out-exercise-fitness-trends/

http://www.vogue.com/13420646/korean-women-work-out-exercise-fitness-trends/