As end to pandemic mask-wearing nears, South Koreans scramble to arrange cosmetic surgery

Ryu Han-na poses for photographs before undergoing nose plastic surgery at WooAhIn Plastic Surgery Clinic in Seoul, South Korea, December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

SEOUL (Reuters) - When Ryu Han-na, a 20-year-old university student, got cosmetic surgery on her nose in mid-December, she had a simple reason: it might be the last chance to do so covertly before people start taking off masks this year as vaccines are distributed.

Ryu, who has been attending her courses online throughout 2020, said the ability to recuperate at home and wear a mask in public without drawing attention were deciding factors.