South Korea is well-known for its strict beauty standards, as well as its wide use of plastic surgery.
Yet, the pressure regarding physical appearance and the almost obligation to fit these beauty standards, is so intense and high, that some people are willing to go to great lengths in order to fit in. Opposed to this, there are more and more criticisms emerging against that long-lasting trend, that many dramas shed light on.
Here is a top of Korean dramas, that best depict this pressure from society and the many criticisms that prone instead acceptance and love of oneself.
Please feel free to comment below, if you have other interesting dramas on that topic!
1. Perfume (퍼퓸)
Perfume tells the story of Min Ye Rim (Go Won Hee), who used to be beautiful in her youth. However, years later she has put on some weight and her husband left her because of that. He used to love her appearance (she wanted to become a model), but got pregnant and had to put an end to her career.
Perfume describes very well the struggle for women to be on top and beautiful to satisfy their husband and not be laughed at by others. It also emphasizes the importance of loving yourself and accepting the person for who she is and not what she looks like.
2. My ID is Gangnam Beauty (내 아이디는 강남미인)
When she was a kid, Kang Mi Rae (Im Soo Hyang) was bullied because of her appearance. She was called a troll and decided therefore to have a complete make-over. She had plastic surgery and lost a lot of weight.
The originality of the plot of My ID is Gangnam Beauty is that it focuses on the stigma put on women who use too much plastic surgery and are criticized because they are not natural enough. Mi Rae’s story is really interesting and tackles some sort of societal dilemma regarding physical appearance: with her natural look she was being bullied for not being pretty enough and now with plastic surgery she is also being bullied for not being natural. Which side to choose then?
3. Oh My Venus (오 마이 비너스)
Oh My Venus tells the story of Kang Joo Eun (Shin Min Ah). She has been in a long relationship and her appearance changed with time (she put on some weight). On the day she expects her boyfriend to propose, he in fact leaves her, blaming her weight. To avenge herself, she decides to go through a drastic diet and sports program thanks to a very famous coach Kim Young Ho (So Ji Sub).
Oh My Venus, just like Perfume, highlights the fact that women tend to be really criticized for their weight, especially by those they love. The drama doesn’t show the need of plastic surgery, but rather gives a refreshing and natural solution: doing sports in order to have a better figure. While demonstrating that surgery is not necessarily an answer, it also proves that accepting oneself is the best remedy.
4. She Was Pretty (그 녀는 예뻤다)
She Was Pretty follows the life of Kim Hye Jin (Hwang Jang Eum). When she was little, she was beautiful, but as she grew up, she lost her cuteness and let go a lot: she didn’t take care of herself. One day, her childhood friend Ji Sung Joon (Park Seo Jun) contacts her saying he would like to reconnect (he has always had a crush on her). On the D-Day, Hye Jin discovers that her friend, who used to be an ugly duckling turned into a handsome man and, ashamed, she sends her good-looking roommate in her place to meet him.
She Was Pretty tackles another topic, yet undiscussed in this review. Indeed, the drama doesn’t focuses on physical appearance regarding weight but rather regarding what we consider beautiful or not; showing that perceptions vary depending on people, their tastes and the work one’s put to appear appreciable. Still, just like the other dramas, is highlights the need to love oneself before loving others.
5. Birth of A Beauty (미녀의 탄생)
Sara (Han Ye Seul) has been betrayed by her ex-husband. In order to avenge herself, she partners with a plastic surgeon Han Tae Hee (Joo Sang Wook), who changes completely her appearance.
Once again, like the title introduces it, Birth of A Beauty illustrates the strict beauty standards in Korean society and the wide use of plastic surgery.
6. Abyss (어비스)
Cha Min (Ahn Hyo Seop) is a rich man, but he suffers from his bad physical appearance. One day, he founds a ball that matches his physique with his personality. Being a kind and generous man, he turns into a handsome man.
For once, a drama that focuses on men’s beauty standards. The drama shows that personality and the inside is as important, if not more, than the looks. Don’t judge a book by its cover would be the lesson to learn from Abyss.
7. True Beauty (여신강림)
Im Ju Kyung (Moon Ga Young) is a high school student who is constantly bullied due to her physical appearance. About to switch schools, she decides to put her make-up skills to good use and hides her face behind it. She transforms into a pretty teenager. Now popular, she gets involved with 2 men: Lee Soo Ho (Cha Eun Woo) and Han Seo Joon (Hwang In Yeop).
Adapted from the popular webtoon of the same name, this drama is an excellent mix of humor, self-love and social awareness. Not only is the female lead heartwarming and cute, but she also grows up little by little, understanding that being ugly is not necessarily synonym with not being worthy of love. The way Seo Joon and Soo Ho fight to get her is living proof of that statement! And yes, we all wish we’d these two fight for us as well…!
Once Upon a Drama 