Hamkke Chingus, aanyeong!

Beauty and body image is a hot topic in the world we live in today and this is often displayed explicitly in K-dramas. Looking perfect in every way from having silky hair, spotless skin, petite body size, and so many other features seems to be the only way to snag a Park Bo Gum-looking chaebol.

I mean, it'll be great not to worry about love handles on your stomach area, eat above average without being called a pig, go barefaced outside without feeling ugly, and be bigger than a size 4 but our world isn't built like that. I've watched a number of videos and read comments where K-celebs such as Hwasa and Jessi were criticized for not fitting the white-skinned, petite, and innocent Asian beauty type and even guys are not left out of this. My King of Tears, Kim Soo-Hyun was ridiculed at the start of his career for having a big nose. Like, he's gorgeous. Hath thou blind?

While we battle against this hate campaign by invisible internet avengers and everyone who has appointed themselves as an automatic fashion AI bot, Korean filmmakers are also doing their bit to change people's perspective of beauty and be less of a jerk about it. Here are 6 Korean Dramas that address beauty standards, their toxic effects, and the journey to self love.

Mask Girl

Mask Girl centers on Kim Mo-Mi, performed by stellar actresses Lee Han-Byeol, Nana, and Go Hyun-Juna, who phased through an intricate transformation to fulfill their dreams of becoming a star. Mo-Mi’s dream was to become a performer since she was little but couldn't because she didn't fit society's beauty standards which labelled her plain-faced and even her mother joined the hate wagon. Due to this, she came up with a masked persona who performs online for cheering unsuspecting fans but her act was cut short after her ruse was discovered by a co-worker, which led her to perform plastic surgery and become entangled in a web of murder and revenge.

I personally love this drama because it really talks about how society's standards affect people mentally, causing low self-esteem and fear. It also displays the toxic way people glorify the idea of being beautiful.

True Beauty

Whoever said kids don't have it tough is either crazy or very crazy. True Beauty took over the spotlight as a romantic comedy but it really addressed the bullying and insecurities teenagers face for their looks.

Protagonist Kim Ju Gyeong acted by Moon Ga Young is a quirky and high-spirited teenage girl who had to use makeup to boost her self-confidence and survive the harsh realities of high school.

In a world where having a pimple and dull skin is a crime and looking perfect and prim is the only way to avoid bullying, Ju Gyeong slowly learned how to let her guard down, be herself, and not rely on makeup and brushes to be happy. She also got two snack-looking guys to fall for her, so happy ending on both sides I guess.

She Was Pretty

The title really sums it up. A once Cinderella-looking rich girl Kim Hye-Jin played by Hwang Jung-Eum turns unattractive after her family’s luck takes a downturn earning her the title of ugly for developing freckles and curly hair. Stray Kids' Felix, where are you my dashing prince?

Her character falls in love with Ji Sung-Joon played by Park Seo-Joon, her childhood friend who was once chubby and had no friends till she came along but grew up to be a hunk. Damn, my fragile heart.

This drama speaks about the pretty privilege in society as Hye-Jin faces several hurdles at work affecting her growth because she isn't pretty according to society's standards. I guess pretty and ditzy works better than knowing your job in some offices.

However, her character rediscovers herself and re-develops self-love and care for herself, sharing a message that it is more important to love and accept oneself than to try fitting into unrealistic beauty standards.

Beauty Inside

Everybody’s dream at a party is to be able to get served your favorite dish over and over without getting caught by the servers but the fairy godmother of protagonist Han Se Gae played by Seo Hyun Jin took that a little too far in this drama as she literally changes appearance for a whole week every month.

Imagine looking hot and sexy one moment and bam! you look older than your mother with stomach flaps and wrinkles tattooed everywhere.

The Beauty Inside speaks about the reality of change, body image, and self-acceptance. You're not always going to look pretty or in shape and you're definitely not going to have the same face and body features forever but who you are inside is what really matters.

If you haven't watched it please do because it gets really weird at some point, and with KDramas, weird is really fun.

My ID is Gangnam Beauty

Imagine being bullied for looking pretty.

This drama talks about Kang Mi Rae played by Im Soo Hyang who was bullied all her life for her looks so much that she had to get plastic surgery. However, this didn't shut the haters as she was also bullied for this decision and was labeled a “Gangnam Beauty”, a derogatory term for people who had plastic surgery.

Through the course of this drama, she underwent a personal journey of healing, self-love, and confidence and took back her sanity from trolls and the stupid society.

Oh My Venus

This drama is about Kang Joo Eun played by Shin Min Ah who got scammed by Cupid after her longtime boyfriend dumped her for gaining weight.

Depressed, heartbroken, and rich enough to afford a personal trainer, she employs celebrity fitness trainer Kim Young Ho played by So Ji Sub on her one-woman revenge mission to get back in shape and make her ex regret dumping her.

Her revenge journey reconfigures her mind allowing her to seek self happiness and discover a reality that with hard work, effort, and a can-do attitude, you can achieve anything from a no-pack to a six-pack. It can be filled with muscles or doughnuts but happiness within yourself is all that matters.

I recommend this show because not only is it a really fun drama, it also serves us constant doses of irresistible Korean eye candy. I mean So Ji Sub? SO JI SUB?

'Nuff said.

Beauty standards don't define us. You get to choose who you are, and how you want to be and look. These dramas show that we are all just humans who want to fit in, and instead of striving to be what society wants you to be, you can be who you want to be. Love yourself, know your self-worth, and ignore the haters.

Siri, Play me “I Love My Body by Hwasa”