“Mask Girl” is a seven-episode K-drama that brings us a rollercoaster of emotion. It takes us on a relentless ride through the life of Kim Mo-mi, an ordinary office worker who only wanted love but ended up being public enemy No. 1. Just when you think things are finally settling down for her, someone stirs the pot again, leaving her with no choice but to bite back.

You might say “Mask Girl” is just another revenge story, but it’s so much more, and it’s something no K-drama addict should miss. This genre-bending suspense thriller explores the brutal and unforgiving societal judgment of beauty, leading to Kim Mo-mi’s marginalization and insecurity. This perceived “ugliness” drives her down a dark path of crime, exposing the deadly consequences of society’s relentless pursuit of aesthetic perfection.

As someone who grew up feeling too “fat” and “not enough” for society’s taste, and as a mother of two children struggling with obesity and bipolar disorder, “Mask Girl” hits a spot. It’s a painful reminder of how societal judgment can scar a person, making them feel unworthy of love or care. Perhaps, through “Mask Girl,” it is high time for us to reflect on our own perceptions of beauty and the harm our judgments could inflict on those around us. 

Note: I will try my best not to give spoilers.

The definition of beauty 

In the world of K-dramas, beauty standards are often portrayed according to Korean cultural ideals. “Mask Girl” is no exception, with its depiction of beautiful women as those with slim figures, dewy skin, v-shaped jaws, pale skin, straight eyebrows, smooth skin, large eyes, and double-eyelids. But in a society that constantly evolves, these standards are fleeting, as eloquently reflected in the show.

You are beautiful in another part of the world

A line I commonly heard when I was young was, “You are beautiful in another part of the world or at another time.” Though it may have been intended as a compliment, it often felt hollow and insulting. As I grew older and began to fight back against these judgments (and started to love myself), I confess that I too used this line as a barbed retort. It took time for me to recognize that in my attempts to defend myself, I was replicating the very behavior that had once wounded me.

This one line alone highlights how beauty standards have varied and shifted across different cultures and periods. Whether it was the cherubic figures idealized in the Italian Renaissance and Victorian England or the extreme thinness that characterized the Supermodel Era of the ’80s, beauty standards have never been static. 

Even now, the Western world’s preference for skinny women contrasts with some Nigerian cultures, which consider a larger woman more beautiful. Foley et al.’s paper on Women’s Body Standards Throughout The World adds scholarly weight to this argument, demonstrating the various ways beauty is perceived across the globe.

But this ever-changing definition of beauty isn’t without its dark side. Society’s judgments can be incredibly cruel, especially to those who don’t fit the prevailing standards. If you don’t fit the standard, you are “ugly.” That’s how society is. 

My own experiences of being body-shamed for not fitting into fashionable clothing styles and being judged for my body’s build have taught me the hurt and frustration that so many endure. Similar to how this cruelty manifests in real life, my daughter’s story of how societal judgments and medical conditions affected her self-image paints a painful picture. It’s a struggle that I understand all too well and one that resonates deeply with the themes explored in “Mask Girl.”

Mask Girl’s extreme retalization

“Mask Girl” amplifies the concept of body shaming, exploring the harrowing extremes to which societal cruelty can push someone.

Kim Mo-Mi is more than just a victim of society’s marginalization and labeling as “ugly.” She turns her perceived flaws into a persona, becoming a live streamer known as “Mask Girl.” With her face hidden and her figure accentuated, she attracts a following, mostly men who desire her for her perfect appearance.

But beneath the mask is a woman struggling with rejection and a society that has reduced her to an object. An encounter with a follower, who almost rapes her and then calls her ugly, leads to a physical altercation that ends in the accidental death of her assailant. This traumatic incident is not an isolated event but rather the first in a series of accidents (I call it so because she didn’t really plan on them) and a life on the run.

The word “ugly” becomes more than just a descriptor for Mo-Mi; it becomes a trigger, sparking a desire to retaliate against a world that has judged her solely by her appearance. From being marginalized for being perceived as “ugly,” she becomes even more despised, now labeled a “murderer.”

Even after surgically altering her appearance to fit society’s standard of beauty, Mo-Mi remains haunted by her past. Her fight to be accepted evolves into a fight to survive, especially in prison. But her struggle takes on a new meaning when she becomes a mother. Now, she battles against society’s determination to label her daughter in the same way, reflecting the perpetual cycle of judgment and the difficulty of escaping societal shackles.

Where do we stand? A personal reflection

In the mirror of society, where do we find ourselves? Are we victims, oppressors, or, perhaps worse, bystanders? The depiction of beauty and societal judgments affect us all, but the role we play is often left unexamined.

Have we ever been the ones to comment on a friend’s weight after years of not seeing them? Do we catch ourselves staring judgmentally at someone we perceive as different? Have we ever felt a pang of irritation when someone who doesn’t fit our standards of beauty walks into a crowded space? Have we laughed at or thoughtlessly critiqued someone for their choice of clothing?

But before we hastily label ourselves or others, let’s pause to consider a different perspective. Have we ever put ourselves in the shoes of those we judge? Have we considered that these people might be going through something profound, something that goes far beyond appearances? Have we ever challenged our own twisted concept of beauty?

These questions aren’t intended to assign blame but to prompt reflection. We live in a world where judgments about appearance are often made in an instant, without thought for the complex human being beneath the surface. It is not enough to stand by passively; we must actively challenge these perceptions, not only in others but in ourselves.

This societal tendency to label and judge is indeed troubling, but it’s a pattern we can all work to break. By fostering empathy, understanding, and acceptance, we can begin to reshape the way we see one another. In doing so, we take a step toward a more compassionate society, where beauty is not confined to narrow standards but celebrated in all its diverse and wondrous forms.

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