Three Chinese women cannot leave a South Korean airport because their passport photos do not match their faces. The women just had cosmetic surgery. It changed their faces so much that passport officers cannot confirm their identity. Their faces were still swollen and bandaged. A website said the women were not allowed on their return flight to China. They were held for questioning at the airport. It is still unclear when the women can go back to China.
South Korea is the world's cosmetic surgery capital. Cosmetic surgery tourism from China is huge. Over 500,000 Chinese people go to South Korean clinics each year. Many clinics specialize in the "Western" look. This is very popular with young South Korean women. Many parents encourage their children to have surgery so they look better in the job market. There are very popular prime time TV cosmetic surgery shows in South Korea.