This paper focuses on a chain of closely knit social phenomena in the post-IMF
Korean society that has complex and interesting effects on Korean women and
their responses, both passive and active. The terrain for these phenomena is
permeated by neoliberal governmentality. First, the paper presents a review of
theoretical frameworks based on Foucault’s later works on biopower and governmentality,
especially his interpretations and criticisms of American neoliberalism.
Foucault’s framework seems to work quite efficiently in treating the
phenomena discussed here, but leaves something to be desired. Especially conspicuous
gaps can be seen in its gender blindness. This paper argues that
these gaps can be more or less remedied by resorting to works by other feminists
and Foucauldians. Next, general descriptions of gender issues in the
labor market and social welfare system are given to show that the post-IMF
Korean society has been transforming to a neoliberal system. To reveal the
salient features of this transition, the phenomena of increasingly booming
body care and cosmetic surgery, private marriage matching service, and efforts
of students both in secondary schools and colleges to raise their human capital
for better jobs in future are introduced and interpreted from the aforementioned
theoretical viewpoint.