This review may contain spoilers
Well written with issues insightfully explored
I watched this show ages ago and have been wanting to write a review on it for a while but procrastinated because I didn't know quite how to do it justice. In the end, I think I can only give it my best shot and hope that it helps others make up their mind about this series.The show really doesn't pull punches. I was in admiration of how direct and honest it was about the issue of beauty. When My ID is Gangnam Beauty begins we get intro'd to a surgery so wow, visceral and in medias res. Before we even get to know the protag, we are invited into her transformation already and we never get to find out who she was in the past which I'll talk about later.
The next part of it, that made the watch uncomfortable, was how the protag went around scoring other girls. I wouldn't be far off the mark to expect that these scenes would elicit hostile responses and judgements from many viewers, esp of the female variety. Although it was an uncomfortable watch I was in admiration of the writer because of how honest this was. Truthfully, women can be the harshest critics of other women and, for me, I was annoyed at this plot device if it only remained a plot device to push the whole "mean girls" troupe. However, this aspect of the female experience was handled with sensitivity and maturity in the series as well and was called out by the male protag in a spectacular fashion—"you need surgery on your unhealthy mindset, not your face". This really is the core arterial plot of the series that exposes the venous subplots in the exploration of beauty.
As I mentioned before, in the beginning, Mi Rae undergoes plastic surgery. This changes her physical beauty and is the catalyst the propels her into a new experience with life except not in the way she expected. It becomes painfully obvious from the word go that though her physical exterior has changed, the real work lies beneath, and the physical change brings about new dangers along with new positive experiences. She goes to extraordinary lengths to hide her past self and finds that she's ill equipped to survive with her new face. Now considered desirable, Mi Rae is targeted by sexual predators, is readily objectified and is the subject of jealous attentions by a fellow beauty. All the time, it was clear that Mi Rae had only expected positive changes and never accounted for these negatives that her changes might produce.
While she is having to navigate through these new treacherous, social waters, the series also explores the negative effect of beauty on men. Being the handsome guy, Kyung Suk is pursued by Mi Rae's unbeknownst nemesis Soo Ah solely for the purpose of having him as a trophy accessory bf. Unlike ingenue Mi Rae, Kyung Suk is wise to Soo Ah's machinations and asserts his values well. However, what he didn't count on is how Soo Ah's machinations indirectly affects him via Mi Rae's insecurities. In an ironic twist, what Mi Rae has wanted is within grasp. She has met someone with whom she shares a connection with and whom returns her feelings however, despite having gone through cosmetic surgery, it is clear that the procedure was only skin deep. Her face might have changed but nothing else inside did and it's those things that the scalpel can never reach that are causing the issues. One wonders if she underwent any changes at all.
An additional exploration that I appreciated was Soo Ah's character. We've seen how beauty affects Mi Rae, we've seen how it affects a male, now we see its effect on Soo Ah. An insight into her backstory reveals that it's not all a bed of roses for our antagonist. She has become an adept, manipulative Venus because she's had to rely on her beauty to survive for many years. Despite the upskirting incidents, despite the sexual harassment and objectification that she is subjected to, she puts up with the latter because it is just part and parcel of surviving until it climaxes into a dangerous stalking incident. We get the sense that when she lashes out at Mi Rae, metaphorically slapping back her hand of help with contemptuous condescendence, it's not really her but this automaton shell of Soo Ah that's remained after all the years of having to hide to survive. And the final cry from Mi Rae that snaps her out of her illusion... two women, from both sides of the beauty divide, one of "artificial beauty", the other "natural beauty" and the question that neither have ever had time to ask themselves—"are you happy?", "all the diets when we don't have any weight to lose... how we judge our faces, why do we have to do this to each other?"... the scene was, to me, immensely powerful and empowering and really cemented my admiration for this series because it just exemplifies how exhausting this quest for acceptance through shallow beauty is.
The other things I liked about this series were Hyun Jung, Mi Rae's buddy. She was a straightforward, no nonsense chick. I loved how courageous she was in confessing her attraction to Woo Young and how she moved on when it was clear he was not interested (until too late); and also the realistic growing up that Kyung Suk had to do to assert his financial independence as this aspect is often woefully glossed over in k-dramas, as well as the way everyone became friends organically in the process of Kyung Suk finding his feet in the world of adulting. The scene in the pub where Kyung Suk and Hyun Jung talk about the former walking through the rain without an umbrella in high school was poignant. Seeing Kyung Suk just bonding and making friends and being socially awkward humanised this "handsome, trophy boy" and we got to see this male beauty as a human and no longer a trophy object. He was just a guy trying to navigate through this world, like anyone, like you or me. Beauty is just a manmade construct. Underneath, we were all the same.
I really can't rave enough about this series. It really did a great 360 on all angles, or as many as possible, to consider with the construct of beauty and how it's perceived and used in society. The series didn't make it into a cliche ending by making it seem like it really matters and the thing to strive for but, instead, portrays it as the illusory tool that it is. I think there'd be mixed feelings about the fact that we are never shown Mi Rae's past but, to me, since Mi Rae was not comfortable with her past and she wants to leave it behind, I was happy to respect that. Again, it would be cliche to believe that to accept the past is the real growth. If that were the case cosmetic surgery would not be necessary however, sometimes it is the needed survival boost. Despite all the problems that can arise from it, despite the work that still remains beneath the surface, cosmetic surgery can be a useful aid, just as beauty is. Once beauty is no longer the yardstick which Mi Rae uses to measure her own happiness with then whatever she looked like in the past no longer matters because the comparison of a Mi Rae before and Mi Rae now no longer exists. The only Mi Rae that matters is the Mi Rae now.
The only criticism I have for this series, and it is a major one, is that it would be impossible for someone to have such low self esteem as Mi Rae has when she had such a staunch friend as Hyun Jung back in high school. That was the one thing that threw me off when she met this wonderfully supportive friend in uni whom she'd known for years. And I get the sense that the writers knew this was off too because their explanation of why Hyun Jung was never around with Mi Rae in her darkest times in high school was lame, at best (she got tired of fighting and getting angry for Mi Rae all the time so she avoided Mi Rae during the times the latter was at school or something similar). Despite this, I was happy to extend the suspension of disbelief that much further because the series really did expertly delved into the issue of beauty, imho, and beyond my expectations. Thus, I only took off 0.5 star for this characterisation oops.
Would I recommend this series? If you like watching shows that makes you think, if you like shows that's not scared to break new grounds, if you like shows that are honest with you even when it makes you uncomfortable then—hell yeah. This series really rocks.
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This review may contain spoilers
This show will make you want to tear your hair out
I tried, I really did. After finishing 14 episodes of the show I thought I should just finish it, but I couldn't. There was so much I didn't like about it.The plot: I was genuinely confused by it. Kang Mi Rae, the lead character, struggled with being bullied because of her appearance and dealt with mental health issues because of it. Most people would think that she would go to therapy to help with her depression and low self esteem. But what does she actually do? Get plastic surgery. This was a BIG red flag to me. Instead of promoting the idea that everyone is beautiful and deserves to love themselves just as they are, they show us that she was "flawed" and needed plastic surgery. Also, even after her plastic surgery, Kang Mi Rae continues to struggle with low self esteem and judges others on their appearance as well.
The acting: It was questionable. Their was absolutely no chemistry between the two leads and when they finally got together, I wasn't happy at all. It felt like they were forced to work together in a group project. Super awkward.
The leads: As previously mentioned, the actors had no chemistry. But to make things worse, their characters had the personality of a rock. Do Kyung-seok showed absolutely no emotions whatsoever and Kang Mi Rae was unlikeable at best. It was difficult to watch two people with no personality or chemistry get together. In fact, I believe the only reason they got together was because they were both attractive. That's it.
Overall: I wouldn't recommend watching this unless you want something to help you fall asleep because it is beyond boring.
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Bad story with worst acting
The story is so bad that just happens to be accompanied by the worst acting ever. this my opinion only and let be quick by just pointing at the ML is a stone that can talk. and for FL I think she portrayed the vision that the director wanted but it didn't help the show. The plot line is weak, I understand beauty gives social status inside circles of school and college but to be the most important thing I don't see how that works. For the ML he is supposed to be stone cold striped of emotion but he is not trying it look like a robot even when smells a candle there is no movement. I don't think a person can mess up the smelling candle scene as he did.Was this review helpful to you?
Possibly the worst kdrama I've ever seen
This show is terrible.1. The characters are all shallow and mean. I hate all of them, maybe not the best friend who likes to rap, she didn't seem bad, but everyone else is just plain terrible. There are a few others, but they are too small of characters to even give me relief from all the b.s. the main characters be pulling.
2. This is my main turn-off of the show: Why is the female lead TERRIFIED of the main lead?? I get being shy or nervous, but every time Cha Eunwoo walks near her, she looks physically uncomfortable, and it's incredibly hard to ship them. She literally looks at him as if he's some type of perv who's following her around. Whenever she sees him, she looks scared and I don't know if that's bad acting or what, but it's so uncomfortable. I like romance dramas for the romance and it just wasn't there.
3. They are not giving the mean girl what she truly deserves. It's like they trying to just write it off because she's poor and has an ed when she actually belongs in literary hell.
4. I tried to keep watching because I thought I saw something in the show, but there must have been something in my eyes because it was really just bad.
1000% do not recommend this show
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This review may contain spoilers
One of my all time favorite Korean dramas. I have re-watched this at least 5 times and have never been disappointed, it sits at my second favorite of all the dramas I have watched. This drama displays a very unique and worth praising story line and obstacles that are given to the leads in the drama. The female lead was always so insecure of herself, and went through a lot of harassment since she was younger. The only logical reason she thought she had left was to change herself by undergoing through a surgery. At first she was very satisfied with it and started fitting in, but as someone from the past she once knew and had feelings for had come to her university, her life was going to change. This is because he knows her secret from the past for what she once looked like. He is very popular in the school for his looks and is a cold male lead indeed. But he does not have interests for anything and comes to only care about the female lead from their chemistry. Much more challenges happen throughout the drama, when you go deep into the story, but this drama was definitely a cherished drama by its many viewers. Many surprises will happen throughout the story, and many obligations and objections will go throughout their relationship/love for each other. Once your very deep into the drama, the end will come with dark turns and complications. So have fun watching/binge watching. This drama is definitely worth it. Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I had really high expectations for this and the drama really did satisfy my taste: it was your typical romance series but better, very fluffy, serious and relatable. Definitely the Kdrama diamond of 2018!From the first couple of episodes I became quickly addicted to this and wanted more. I'm a sucker for male leads who are still in love with their high school crushes. Kyung Suk - an unusual male lead, gives off a cool vibe, but in fact he's clueless about love and so called "adulting". The actor who pulled the main character's lead off is by far one of the most handsome Korean entertainment faces ever, so talented as well. Mi Rae - a very strong female lead that was most-definitely needed to make this drama enjoyable. She didn't whine, she stood up for herself and became a role model for many young girls who have a complex about their appearance. In addition, her character was so diverse and I loved how she especially opened up towards the end of the drama. The main couple's chemistry was off the roof, especially during the last episodes when they officially became a couple (makes you a bit jealous of their love story not gonna lie). Other side characters were like little gems and I loved their backstories. In this university setting, you can see all types of students that you might typically meet in real life. Some were hated more, some were adored and made the drama complete. I especially loved Mi Rea's parents. Also, you have to check out the OST because both of the lead actors recorded songs for this series. The soundtrack is a lovely summery blend and perfectly fits the mood of this drama.
In my opinion, this is the perfect drama to watch for this upcoming college and university season. The story delivers a very strong message about looks and personalities and teaches you the new meaning of the word "pretty".
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The acting is amazing and story too !
Could have been better if the have added some more scenes
Bcoz I am obessed with this one ....
Actually want a season 2 , and also before watching I haven't read the webtoon , but it is making me want to read the webtoon ... To those who are thinking of starting it , should hurry. ..
And get ready to fall in love with Cha Eun Woo
This is what I thought before watching this drama but now after completing it , I will say that I ended up falling for Im Soo Young ...
All the cast members are so adorable
And waiting for you guys !!!
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do not recommend unless you're bored to death
--> STORYThe drama itself is mediocre, it's boring. The storyline is literally your typical high school dramas but with the smallest twist. Which is?? The fl getting plastic surgery. Although I appreciated the drama talking abt suicide, depression, sexism, and more. But the fact that you can literally guess what's going to happen after a scene annoyed me.
--> ACTING / ACTORS
The acting is nice although the main leads don't have any chemistry with each other. They looked so awkward which kinda threw me off. The actors can do much better as another character.
Rookie Historian did Eunwoo way better. I want him to act other characters other than his typical cold popular boy characters. I was also disappointed as his face didn't change at all in the whole series.
Graceful Family also did Soohyang so much better than this weird character. Soohyang is literally a grown woman. Why would they cast her as a college student?? It was just weird. This could've been so much better if it wasn't for her.
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This review may contain spoilers
The beginning of the drama really fleshes out the underlining themes and points that this show is trying to emphasize. Therefore it is mostly driven by characters in the beginning which is not necessarily a bad thing. If you like dramas, that will give you small hints and develop them during the whole course of the series, this one is for you and it's done very well. The plot comes in a little later and it heavily involves the journeys of the characters. It actually almost reboots itself in the middle, mostly because one of the characters makes such an unexpected choice, that it changes the game. It also brings much humor to the series and keeps it on a light note until the end.
It's a character driven drama and I must say that it is written very solidly. Everything is well fleshed out, the characters develop the right way and the whole show is grounded in reality, sometimes in a bit of a scary way. It deals with very complicated themes that are familiar to you on a daily basis, especially if you are a woman. And it does it in a very respectful, yet real way.
The cast feels solid as well, they do justice to the characters. This drama also has plenty of side characters and there are some very capable actors in the bunch. The main antagonist is also done very well - you know that you should pity her, yet I found myself cursing at the screen at her... and a lot.
The music was fine, with some memorable tunes.
I liked it more that I expected and will think about a lot. It turned out to be a real gem for me.
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not it
While I truly appreciate the lessons this drama was trying to teach, the plot and acting are just not it. Maybe it's a me thing but everything moves SO SLOWLY. Like even the actors themselves speak slowly and the female lead's lines are seriously just made up of "oh what?" "oh" *shocked pikachiu face* *acts blur* *dont know what the hell is going on when its right there* *innocent doe eyes for every damn scene* and this seriously gets on my nerves so bad. Like I understand the character is meant to be really shy with low self-esteem but some things only require basic common sense.Plotwise it's really slow and draggy but I guess the beauty theme truly limits what the antagonist can do since she can only come up with petty tricks while the protagonist remains oblivious. Acting wise... I can't tell if they are doing it on purpose to be so slow and tsundere??? but definitely not the best there is out there.
However, this drama hit all the right spots regarding trashy men. It's like they handpicked the worst of men and put them in one space to disgust the rest of the population. Truly, I felt the anger the females had to endure with the douchebags remarks hurled at them by the male characters. They definitely got those scenes right because it infuriated me so much that I had to take a moment and then ponder about why society was built like this. How men never learn from their mistakes and think it's okay to treat women like objects while they remain superior. This is why I am thankful for the show because it definitely inculcated the right values and was going in the right direction. For people who are going to watch this drama, I truly hope it will teach you something valuable, for women know your worth and for men, respect women. For everyone, stop with this toxic beauty mindset, your physical appearance does not dictate your worth.
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Self realization
This drama was cute, sad and what is most important this show was for your own thoughts. You start think about how you look at other people. After watching this drama, you will realize how much damage can people make to others based on their looks.Also I don't get why people hate Eun Woo. I really enjoyed his acting and when I hear people talk about his expressions, I wonder, why they don't say this about Song Kang. Don't mind me wrong way, I love Song Kang, that is why I am mentioning him, because he mostly plays characters like this and nobody says anything.
This type of characters are always tricky and I understand that many people won't get it, so maybe next time turn it off and don't throw hate on actors.
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This review may contain spoilers
Before I get started, I want to address why I personally liked My ID Is Gangnam Beauty. This was a light drama overall, although it did have it's heavy moments. It's not the best I've ever watched, nor is it certainly the worst, but I don't believe it was meant to be a Korean drama of the year like Goblin, but more to stand up against the stigma around plastic surgery, and to show that no matter how you look, real beauty is always on the inside.STORY:
As I mentioned beforehand, this drama isn't heavy or dark or violent, but nor is it light and fluffy. I believe it somehow hangs in the balance of both. We see a lot of sweet interactions between Kang Mi Rae and Do Kyung Seok, as well as between Mi Rae and her family and friends. Throughout the drama, we watch as each character develops and becomes a better version of themselves. Kyung Seok learns how to be kinder towards others and not as antisocial, whilst Mi Rae battles against those who label her a Gangnam Beauty, and with the help of Kyung Seok and others, begins to 'live' again. In contrast, the darker tone of this series relies solely on the antagonist that is Hyun Soo A. There are many interactions between Soo A and Mi Rae, and as the series progresses, we instead see Soo A's character progression getting darker and darker, compared to the other characters, but somehow throughout all of this darkness that embodies her, Mi Rae and Kyung Seok always managed to bring some light. :)
ACTING/CAST: (MINOR SPOILERS)
Portraying a college student and acting alongside Cha Eun Woo, who is 7 years younger, is a feat in itself; and to keep the chemistry alive is an even bigger achievement. I had my doubts when Im Soo Hyang was casted as the role of Kang Mi Rae, but looking back, I have no idea why. The age gap is fairly significant, but boy, would you not know. The chemistry between the leading couple maintained all the way to it's finale, and each episode they had seemed easier and more comfortable. Im Soo Hyang expressed amazing emotions and cried when she needed to cry, laughed when she needed to laugh, and above all, she loved. The experiences Mi Rae had gone through broke my heart, and to see her still feeling like she was not good enough or beautiful enough even after getting a face she had always desired, was the saddest thing I have seen. Though, my heart was soon mended as I witnessed her growth from a shy, insecure girl to a confident woman who stood up for herself and made justice.
However, Mi Rae couldn't have done it alone. Throughout her side was the only one that had ever seen her for her true beauty, Do Kyung Seok, acted by Cha Eun Woo (who is so handsome *drool*). There was no single moment where I didn't swoon over his good looks, manly brooding and occasional smiles that could melt a heart. However, sometimes I felt there was no emotion there, but as I delved deeper, I begun to realize it was all part of his character development. Although I felt uncomfortable at times with his lack of emotion and occasionally, acting that fell flat, I cannot mistake his relationship with Mi Rae. One thing I loved the most about Kyung Seok was his ability to realize who people really were beyond the facade they wore. This was the exact description of Hyun Soo A, and his interactions with her were the best thing witnessed. Kyung Seok was blunt, unyielding in his love and proved time and time again, that there was more to the character than a stern (but handsome) face.
And finally, Jo Woo Ri. I could applaud the acting of her time and time again. She portrayed the character of Hyun Soo A perfectly, even to the point we all hated her face. But, as I like to remind myself, the actor is different to the character. And a good thing that is too, for Hyun Soo A was a pretty girl with an ugly personality. She manipulated people and felt a strong desire to be seen, as shown through her endless clinging to Do Kyung Seok, even with the knowledge her only had eyes for Mi Rae. Although we found out that this stemmed from a traumatic childhood and a lack of parental care, nothing could excuse how she treated Kang Mi Rae and the people around her. Only towards the final few episodes of Gangnam Beauty, did my opinion slowly begin to turn. I felt a pity for her, which intensified in the semi final and final episode, where she repented for her actions and seemingly changed. Again, I applaud Jo Woo Ri for her superb acting of Hyun Soo A, who was so brilliant to the point that netizens and k-drama lovers hated the character.
MUSIC:
To be fair, I don't have much to comment on this as I wasn't truly invested in the music with this kdrama as I have been in past dramas (note: Descendants of the Sun). It was okay, but nothing special, and instead I focused on the characters themselves.
REWATCH VALUE:
I can imagine myself rewatching this sometime in the future, if I have nothing else to watch. I certainly would go back just to see the developing relationship between Mi Rae and Kyung Seok, to see Mi Rae grow in confidence, and also for Cha Eun Woo's handsome face (which I have probably mentioned 3 times now). Although I would rewatch this drama, it wouldn't be in the top number to rewatch, but maybe when I feel an urge to watch it, or a boredom I cannot alleviate.
OVERALL:
I'll keep this short as I've already made this review too long. The relationships between the main characters drew me in and made me fall in love with them all over again. From their middle school encounters to meeting again, to going through many tribulations and hardships to reach the happy place they are now, I have found all a priviledge to watch. This drama was one of the few that I could relate to; through my life, I have always struggled with my appearance and anxiety regarding it, and to see Mi Rae experiencing similar hardships, made me feel less alone. I will forever thank the producers and the writer of the webtoon for creating such a masterpiece that fights against stigma and reminds others that we are all beautiful in our way.
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