In 2017, China surpassed Brazil to become the second largest market for cosmetic surgery. With its rising popularity across China, some have begun to perceive it as a way to jump start their career in show business. However, for one University it could prove counter-productive.
A Chinese art college has hit out against the procedures, suggesting that cosmetic surgery would impair facial expression, which is important to performance art.
"We decided to ban those applicants who have had cosmetic surgery in this year's entrance exam," Dong Liang, dean of the film and television school under Shandong University of Art, announced in the art exam press conference, March 1, 2018.
"Occupation like actor or compere will draw attention from millions of people. If you have had cosmetic surgery, even a micro plastic, it affects your subtle facial expressions," added Dong.
Although being "good-looking" has always been considered important when selecting talent for film and television screen, the audition panel will reject those applicants that have had any type of plastic surgery. The college asserts that cosmetic operations would make aspiring actors less expressive.
In addition, Dong suggested that the hopeful students should also pay attention to their makeup.
"They have to rely on their natural beauty to stand out and focus on developing their professional skills. We won't accept the heavy makeup even for covering scars. Professional quality and ability is also important," said Dong.
In recent years, the competition in art exams are getting more rigid. More than 5,000 applicants from Shandong and another 4,000 from other parts of the country are vying for 210 positions at Shandong University of Art this year. The number of applicants of broadcast and compere majors has doubled its last year record.
The admissions officer of Communication University of China (CUC), Hou Juan, told Xinhua News Agency that many applicants and parents think that an art exam is easier than the general college entrance examination because of its lower academic passing score.
"Actually, it takes far more effort for the art applicants to balance their professional skill and academic score. The art Universities are now paying more attention to comprehensive quality, including cultural literacy and learning capacity," said Hou. "Only those students who are really interested in art can pass the exam."
