silent_whispers
Dramaland
Despite all the reviews and it's high top rating (8.4 as I write this review) I feel like My ID is Gangnam Beauty is still very much overlooked and underrated. When I first saw the drama show up in my emails from Viki I thought it was just another cute makeover drama. Much like 200 Pound Beauty and the many before and after it. Just silly fun. If viewers are lucky maybe an attempt to make some points. Even after seeing it's ranking and ratings for 2018 I still ignored My ID is Gangnam Beauty. For some reason I thought it would still be great fun even though I wasn't expecting much from the drama. Boy was the first episode such a surprise! One of the best first episodes I have ever seen. Hands down. Bold choices from the cinematography to the story. Most importantly this a drama for women!
Mi Rae is an amazing lead. At first we see a woman judging other women on her train ride. Rating and ranking their faces. What a shallow person! The writing wastes no time in sharing the fact that Mi Rae is on her way to get plastic surgery herself, and she's not a shallow person. The flashbacks tastefully start as she is going under the knife. The life threatening risks all laid out before her. She was a "fat" child and withstood viscous bullying. She wasn't a weakling and didn't just take it standing down. She stood up for herself. Until the bullying became so intense she used her super strong will to lose the weight. Thinking she would discover the true beauty underneath. Only to find that her face was ugly. In a bold move we never get to see Mi Rae's old face. In many beautiful shots her face is avoided and in bold moves we get a look of her eye/eyelid. Or her own preference of only seeing the back of her head. Personally I believe it's so that viewers couldn't judge Mi Rae. Instead we're going forward with her into her life with her "new face".
It's horrible to see the intensity of the bullying that Mi Rae struggled through. Even to the darkest place a mind can go with such treatment. Even though she was the top student in grades and had many secret talents because just the right horrible people deemed her worthless that's what others treated her like. So to see her be able to show off her dancing talents because she became beautiful was such a joyful thing. While being sad. Soon it becomes apparent that because she had plastic surgery she now has to face that criticism. She's on a journey discovering that everyone deals with bullying and their own worries. Soon it's clear she might have been subjected to horrible harassment because of her old face, but now her new face is open to judgment. It's not just that all women are. Even the most beautiful superstar in looks is judged.
That's the heart of this show and why it's for women. Mi Rae want to go under the radar. At the start she's very traumatized by what others will say about her. Mi Ra was so shaped by how people judged her she judged every girl around her by their looks. Not by who they were. Until the male lead, Kyung Suk, points it out to her. Soon she is aware and starts to see how the other women around her are bullied. Women she thinks are beautiful are talked down by other male student in their department. Too skinny, to fat, too old, tomboy, childlike, doesn't smile enough, women are meant to serve, it's the tradition of women to be in certain roles and so on. Even adult issues are pulled in through Kyung Suk's mom. The concept of how a woman should put being a housewife first and she shouldn't have dreams such as work. That even working moms, all moms, are great moms. It also deals with the strength of independent women and getting out of abusive relationships.
Everything about My ID is Gangnam Beauty could have easily been average. Every character is a stereotype we've seen before. Soon the skills of the writer become spotlighted as characters are expertly balanced and revealed as complex people. So complex that I didn't find myself with second lead syndrome. Usually I suffer it because the second lead is an amazing warm and wonderful person. Which Woo Young is. In fact, his qualities for being kind, respecting women, and being worldly gain popularity with other women in the show. In contrast everyone is dazzled by Kyung Suk looks and status. Though as we and others get to know him it's clear that he doesn't have social skills. What is usually advertised for cool and aloof in a male lead is actually awkwardness and as mentioned lack of social skills. Kyung Suk soon isn't an uninteresting male lead his story is just as much a part of the drama. From his rift with this mother and dealing with just as much gossip and bad mouthing as Mi Rae. He dealt with it differently.
The wicked female lead, Soo Ah, destined to be jealous of Mi Rae had a tragic past and if you think about it under went both sides of bullying. From being undesirable to the switch and attention of beauty. Stalking and body image issues just as much as someone who is perceived as ugly. Soo Ah's character reveal was slow to come, but still powerful. Every character was explored and balanced well through out the 16 episodes. Only one was left as a mystery, but I understand that you can't explore everyone though she became such a pivotal character at the end. The biggest message is how the women could become friends and all stand together. Rivals in love, both male and female, can be friends. That people can be hurt and left with scars by other people. However, that same person can be healed by a person as well.
With all the deep issues My ID is Gangnam Beauty is bringing to the table it incredibly balances a wonderful since of humor and warm heartedness that I LOVE!! LOVE-LOVE-LOVE and need in a drama. Many times things could have gotten dark and many times a drama has lied to me and went from warm story of love and comedy to dark angst. My ID is Gangnam Beauty never does that. Even with concepts of suicide and bulimia it keeps things feel good. True the usual drama plots are here, but all the connections feel good. Nothing is overly dragged out. Such as the truth behind Kyung Suk's mothers story and his family. Kyung Suk's mother's connection to Mi Rae. It is such a relief not to have storylines dragged out to the point were you're just over it. (You know what I'm talking about.)
The romance is beautifully balanced. Kyung Suk is so understanding and patient with Mi Rae. They both learn from eachother. Not to mention they have REAL conversations!! Kyung Suk is so straightforward and doesn't ever hide his interest in Mi Rae. He goes forward. He lets Mi Rae take the lead and do her. Be her. He's proud of her when she stands up for herself, let's her stand up for both of them! Let me tell you I haven't wanted a couple kiss this bad in ages!! Boy does that kiss deliver as well. I won't say it's the best and wildest, but it isn't a dead fish one and the emotions feel so good.
Refreshing is the word of this show. As the pacing, drama, story, and almost every aspect of this drama felt so effortless. Many might say at many points things slowed down, but I loved all the connections and characters. The balance was perfect. It was such a blessing to have Mi Rae have a great girlfriend who stood up for her and they were actually best friends and were shown that way. Kyung Suk's mom liked Mi Rae and supported them both! Mi Rae's parents were wonderful as well! My ID is Gangnam Beauty is a drama that has something to say for all women. Deep and complex messages all while keeping a lively plot and story. I loved the warmth from this drama. From it's strong start to it's perfect drama ending!
I suggest everyone checks this drama out! Don't miss it! It's a hopeful drama full of warmth and great messages for everyone. I know my review is big and that I'm missing a lot of important points that should be covered, but that's what my individual episode reviews are for!
Mi Rae is an amazing lead. At first we see a woman judging other women on her train ride. Rating and ranking their faces. What a shallow person! The writing wastes no time in sharing the fact that Mi Rae is on her way to get plastic surgery herself, and she's not a shallow person. The flashbacks tastefully start as she is going under the knife. The life threatening risks all laid out before her. She was a "fat" child and withstood viscous bullying. She wasn't a weakling and didn't just take it standing down. She stood up for herself. Until the bullying became so intense she used her super strong will to lose the weight. Thinking she would discover the true beauty underneath. Only to find that her face was ugly. In a bold move we never get to see Mi Rae's old face. In many beautiful shots her face is avoided and in bold moves we get a look of her eye/eyelid. Or her own preference of only seeing the back of her head. Personally I believe it's so that viewers couldn't judge Mi Rae. Instead we're going forward with her into her life with her "new face".
It's horrible to see the intensity of the bullying that Mi Rae struggled through. Even to the darkest place a mind can go with such treatment. Even though she was the top student in grades and had many secret talents because just the right horrible people deemed her worthless that's what others treated her like. So to see her be able to show off her dancing talents because she became beautiful was such a joyful thing. While being sad. Soon it becomes apparent that because she had plastic surgery she now has to face that criticism. She's on a journey discovering that everyone deals with bullying and their own worries. Soon it's clear she might have been subjected to horrible harassment because of her old face, but now her new face is open to judgment. It's not just that all women are. Even the most beautiful superstar in looks is judged.
That's the heart of this show and why it's for women. Mi Rae want to go under the radar. At the start she's very traumatized by what others will say about her. Mi Ra was so shaped by how people judged her she judged every girl around her by their looks. Not by who they were. Until the male lead, Kyung Suk, points it out to her. Soon she is aware and starts to see how the other women around her are bullied. Women she thinks are beautiful are talked down by other male student in their department. Too skinny, to fat, too old, tomboy, childlike, doesn't smile enough, women are meant to serve, it's the tradition of women to be in certain roles and so on. Even adult issues are pulled in through Kyung Suk's mom. The concept of how a woman should put being a housewife first and she shouldn't have dreams such as work. That even working moms, all moms, are great moms. It also deals with the strength of independent women and getting out of abusive relationships.
Everything about My ID is Gangnam Beauty could have easily been average. Every character is a stereotype we've seen before. Soon the skills of the writer become spotlighted as characters are expertly balanced and revealed as complex people. So complex that I didn't find myself with second lead syndrome. Usually I suffer it because the second lead is an amazing warm and wonderful person. Which Woo Young is. In fact, his qualities for being kind, respecting women, and being worldly gain popularity with other women in the show. In contrast everyone is dazzled by Kyung Suk looks and status. Though as we and others get to know him it's clear that he doesn't have social skills. What is usually advertised for cool and aloof in a male lead is actually awkwardness and as mentioned lack of social skills. Kyung Suk soon isn't an uninteresting male lead his story is just as much a part of the drama. From his rift with this mother and dealing with just as much gossip and bad mouthing as Mi Rae. He dealt with it differently.
The wicked female lead, Soo Ah, destined to be jealous of Mi Rae had a tragic past and if you think about it under went both sides of bullying. From being undesirable to the switch and attention of beauty. Stalking and body image issues just as much as someone who is perceived as ugly. Soo Ah's character reveal was slow to come, but still powerful. Every character was explored and balanced well through out the 16 episodes. Only one was left as a mystery, but I understand that you can't explore everyone though she became such a pivotal character at the end. The biggest message is how the women could become friends and all stand together. Rivals in love, both male and female, can be friends. That people can be hurt and left with scars by other people. However, that same person can be healed by a person as well.
With all the deep issues My ID is Gangnam Beauty is bringing to the table it incredibly balances a wonderful since of humor and warm heartedness that I LOVE!! LOVE-LOVE-LOVE and need in a drama. Many times things could have gotten dark and many times a drama has lied to me and went from warm story of love and comedy to dark angst. My ID is Gangnam Beauty never does that. Even with concepts of suicide and bulimia it keeps things feel good. True the usual drama plots are here, but all the connections feel good. Nothing is overly dragged out. Such as the truth behind Kyung Suk's mothers story and his family. Kyung Suk's mother's connection to Mi Rae. It is such a relief not to have storylines dragged out to the point were you're just over it. (You know what I'm talking about.)
The romance is beautifully balanced. Kyung Suk is so understanding and patient with Mi Rae. They both learn from eachother. Not to mention they have REAL conversations!! Kyung Suk is so straightforward and doesn't ever hide his interest in Mi Rae. He goes forward. He lets Mi Rae take the lead and do her. Be her. He's proud of her when she stands up for herself, let's her stand up for both of them! Let me tell you I haven't wanted a couple kiss this bad in ages!! Boy does that kiss deliver as well. I won't say it's the best and wildest, but it isn't a dead fish one and the emotions feel so good.
Refreshing is the word of this show. As the pacing, drama, story, and almost every aspect of this drama felt so effortless. Many might say at many points things slowed down, but I loved all the connections and characters. The balance was perfect. It was such a blessing to have Mi Rae have a great girlfriend who stood up for her and they were actually best friends and were shown that way. Kyung Suk's mom liked Mi Rae and supported them both! Mi Rae's parents were wonderful as well! My ID is Gangnam Beauty is a drama that has something to say for all women. Deep and complex messages all while keeping a lively plot and story. I loved the warmth from this drama. From it's strong start to it's perfect drama ending!
I suggest everyone checks this drama out! Don't miss it! It's a hopeful drama full of warmth and great messages for everyone. I know my review is big and that I'm missing a lot of important points that should be covered, but that's what my individual episode reviews are for!
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