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FULL OF SURPRISES!
Honestly, this does not give you any break from endless plot twists. Always able to catch my attention regardless of how predictable the plot is. Give it a try everyone, your 20 minutes will for sure be worth it!Whatever that has been portrayed here, I bet all of us can easily relate to it. Either based on our own experience, or we actually know someone who is going through it. Some scenes, in my opinion, was cringy and hard to watch, but not worth to skip. How I wish the ending could slow down a lil, coz as my headline suggests, it is FULL OF SURPRISES! Especially, the ending, non-stop shooketh moments, I tell you that!
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The Story that Might Have Been
7.5/10 is my rating. This is a 2021 South Korean romantic drama with 13, 20 minute episodes.Ae-Jin (Shim Dal-Gi) lives a double life as a bullied high school student who is constantly harassed as being "ugly" and a "goddess" social media influencer which she achieves through costumes, camera angles and photo editing. Her worst fear is that someone will discover her trickery and reveal her dual existence to all. This fear nearly comes to fruition when she receives a text with a picture of her posing in her costume and makeup unedited. A series of circumstances lead her to suspecting her only friend at school, Lee Jin-Sung (Yang Hong-Seok) of being the blackmailer. Lee Jin-Sung is an idol trainee who is literally too cool for school and he, on the other end of the spectrum, is also an outcast. He and Ae-Jin become friends as they were both frequently alone at school.
The premise of this was very interesting and that alone carries viewers through. All of the young actors do a great job of conveying their roles. Spoiler(s)** Often I am disappointed because the actor who plays the role of someone unattractive is not unattractive. Now I am on the opposite end, the actress who plays Ae-jin can be pretty with makeup and a flattering hair style but they do everything to have her look unattractive in never smiling, her body posture, and attitude. Which makes it really hard to buy that Jin-sung would fall in love with her. I got the whole he was an outcast because he was too cool sort of thing but, even if they were lunch friends, him falling for her when her personality did not even come through as that good, was a stretch. If she had been super smart, really nice, creative, or just really fun, I could have seen him falling for the beauty inside. But, she was a bit self focused and whiny so it was a stretch to believe he would have fallen for her. The more believable pairing would have been Ae-jin and the "lunatic detective", Kim Ho-In (Choi Bo-min), because they were alike on so many levels. Ho-in's girlfriend, Yang Ha-Neul (Heo Jung-hee) was such a bully to Ae-jin, even with her later redemptive actions, I could never see Ae-jin embracing friendship with her. And Ho-in even mentions how he hated seeing her bully other people and yet he still cannot live without her - that was a bit of a stretch too. The 12 short episodes flew by and it really felt like some of the issues could have been fixed with more episodes. They could have shown a side of Ae-jin we didn't see that would have made her more lovable. Maybe a fuller explanation of why Ho-in was bullying and an apology to Ae-jin. I really wanted to like this show more than I did because it was a great premise. I think it is worth watching for the unique premise, I would not re-watch it, but watching it once through was enjoyable enough. I also thought it showed, quite well, how bullies can make every day a living hell for the bullied whether it be a bully at school, at home, or in the workplace. I have combated bullies in my life, defending others, and also a workplace bully once myself, more times than I care to count. Seeing a bully get come-uppance is enjoyable as it rarely happens in real life. Hopefully a similar premise will arise in the future but there will be a better job with developing the characters and showing positive aspects of the relationships. Not a bad series, just not particularly good either. It's the show that might have been.
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Very interesting- plot will keep you hooked
This drama was super entertaining to watch. It’s the perfect length, and every episode is jam packed with interesting storylines and concepts to keep you hooked. Its such a good drama that represents real themes and leaves you with good morals. It explores the ideas of self perception and toxic cultures online and at school very well. The acting was really good and ho sung is my favourite character (just an interesting and funny character really). The plot always keeps you on edge and although there is a lot happening it’s not confusing or overwhelming. Amazing drama, would rewatch, really good.Was this review helpful to you?
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It's quite nice and well done. I prefer the story this way to the webtoon because at least the sister problem has a better ending rather than being dismissed as Aejin's hallucination. But I wish that Mijin could get more punishment for what she did rather than getting splashed with hot water. For the music, I have no memory of it. It's not memorable at all.
For rewatch value, I rarely rewatch anything. I rather have a new drama to watch than keep rewatching the old one.
For the acting, it's okay. Bomin's acting is quite good. I don't know him as an idol, but he convinced me with his acting.
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not all tropey & well executed
All characters, though being in high school, hide some sort of secret and it seems to be a tad dark! This is of course very engaging... If you dont expect anything resembling "reality" and embrace the dramaland willingly, it will be quite entertaining to watch! The ugly girl is just the ugly duckling, the bully is a disguise of Prince Charming, the enemy is same as best friend etc. All set in the world of rich and famous...Still there is more to it than the typical teen dramas, so enjoy!
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Most anxiety inducing drama I have ever watched...
Seriously, what was with that intro, I thought I had started the horror/thriller genre, and what's with those dim lighting and even full-screen brightness wasn't even enough. FL pretty much felt creepy initially but I appreciate the actress for nailing the role. With so much drama and constant bullying, I thought I was watching the "Big brother" type show. As much it took itself seriously with some serious issues, I didn't like the flowery ending it was given. I felt betrayed as if all the pending issues have been resolved in just one episode. Like why wasn't the FL smart enough to lock her phone securely, why didn't she delete the convo when she made a truce with idol trainee, etc. Even the FL's friend with all the things she had to FL gets a poorer redemption arc. But I get it, Fl grows up to accept herself so that is great.Was this review helpful to you?
Le culte de l'apparence...
Ce petit Web-drama m’a intriguée de par la noirceur de son affiche… (Et oui, il me suffit d’un rien parfois ^^’) & le petit speech parlant d’une influenceuse a fini de me convaincre.Parlons des points clés de l’histoire :
► Le harcèlement scolaire : Cette histoire comme beaucoup du genre scolaire, nous conte la vie de divers personnes qui vivent du harcèlement scolaire… (Psychologique mais également physique) & comme souvent dans ce cas, personne n’intervient. (À croire qu’il s’agit d’une norme… Enfin qui sait après tout, c’est pareil en Europe ^^’)
► Le culte de l’apparence : Ce drama nous montre comment une jeune fille assez « banale » devient « Genie » une beauté influençant les masses… (J’avoue avoir du mal à comprendre l’intérêt, d’autant plus qu’elle se cache & culpabilise…) On peut voir sa descente aux enfers lorsque son secret est prêt à être exposé mais également sa volonté de finalement vivre en étant elle-même.
Après autant d’années à regarder des séries asiatiques… Je vois bien l’ancrage de l’idéal de beauté en Asie. Il est difficile d’y réchapper… & la présence de stars passant sous le bistouri pour rentrer dans ce moule n’aide certainement pas… (On peut même dire qu’à force, les stars se ressemblent énormément…)
D’ailleurs, je pense qu’à l’heure d’aujourd’hui, tout le monde connait la mode des « influenceurs » (rentrant eux-mêmes dans ce moule…) qui résulte souvent de télé-réalité.
[Petite parenthèse : En quoi constitue le rôle d’un influenceur ? Vendre son « image » en étant sponsorisé afin de mettre en avant divers produits… (Je ne raffole pas vraiment de cette tendance mais bon, chacun pense ce qu’il veut ^^’)]
En conclusion, ce drama n’a pas de grands mystères & la finalité n’est pas réellement inattendue ^^ (Il n’y avait que deux possibilités de toute façon x’D) mais les thématiques de l’acceptation de soi ainsi que celle des influenceurs sont assez intéressantes que pour donner envie de voir cette histoire. Je regrette néanmoins qu’on ait mis une dimension « troubles mentaux » dans ce web-drama… Cela n’apporte rien à l’histoire & donnerai presque l’image que l’adolescence = la folie !
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Quand la beauté physique se confronte à la beauté du cœur
Si vous êtes dans un mauvais état d'esprit, moralement fragile ou ultra-sensible, Shadow Beauty n'est pas pour vous. Ce n'est pas un drama qu'on regarde pour se détendre. D'ailleurs ce n'est pas pour rien qu'il est classé pour les plus de 15 ans. Sa cruauté morale pourra en affecter plus d'un.Le drame pointe deux sujets qui ont une place assez importante dans nos vies actuelles.
Le premier, le harcèlement scolaire. Ces dernières années on relate de plus en plus de victimes. D'une petite injure à une simple bousculade, cela peut prendre des proportions énormes au point d'aller jusqu'à l'irréparable. C'est un « phénomène » tristement courant en Asie, dont la Corée du Sud. Si vous suivez un peu l'actualité ou même des artistes de l'industrie du divertissement, alors vous n'ignorez probablement pas les acteurs, idoles et autres qui étaient victimes ou bourreaux.
Si une majorité des dramas traitant du genre ne font qu'effleurer les scènes, Shadow Beauty nous montre une majeure partie d'entre-elles. Ce qui choque le plus à mes yeux reste le fait que personne ne vient en aide à Ae Jin. La preuve étant qu'une personne harcelée est presque normale.
Le second point, c'est évidemment la culture de la beauté. Lorsqu'on pense à la Corée du Sud (et même l'Asie en général), on ne peut s'empêcher de voir de belles apparences. Pourtant, la beauté n'est-elle pas suggestive ? Comme le mentionne Miyu dans son commentaire, je regarde également des dramas dupuis des années, il est évident que la beauté est devenue une obsession. Les maquillages parfaits, les peaux parfaitement lisses au point que cela enlève tout le naturel.
Pourtant qui a décidé qu'un tel était beau et qu'un tel ne l'était pas ? Qui a décidé que "ceci" était la norme en beauté ?
Cela fait le lien avec Ae Jin qui devient Genie sur les réseaux sociaux. Une personne complètement différente au point que cette personne n'existe physiquement pas. Mais elle devient populaire parce qu'elle est « socialement » belle aux yeux de la société. Cela remet également en avant le fait que ce qu'on trouve sur les réseaux sociaux n'est pas la vérité.
Plus globalement, certaines zones m'ont laissé dans une épaisse fumée. Je n'ai pas compris certaines directions ni scènes. Quant à la romance, elle n'avait pas d'intérêt à mes yeux. Cela ne m'a pas empêché de continuer à regarder. Je ne m'en souciais juste pas.
Ce qui m'a le plus séduite reste le jeu d'acteur et la réalisation. Le scénario est vide devenu secondaire. J'étais comme fascinée par la réalisation que j'ai trouvé d'une froideur réelle et parfaitement adaptée au genre. C'était comme se faire lentement avaler par une lumière qui est bien plus sombre que les ténèbres.
Côté casting, rien à redire. Shim Dal Gi livre une performance parfaite. Son personnage est touchant et on ressent une profonde affection pour elle. On veut lui tendre la main et l'aider, pourtant on assiste impuissants à son enfer.
Choi Bo Min des Golden Child était bon également bien que certains aspects de son personnage m'échappent.
Quant à Hong Seok de Pentagon, il confirme à mes yeux son bon goût dans l'acting.
Shadow Beauty porte bien son titre.
Cependant à ne pas oublier que la beauté physique ne reste qu'une image qu'on projette. Elle ne pourra jamais égaliser la beauté du cœur.
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Tenebroso, mas não do jeito que era para ser
Antes de lançar, fiquei muito animada para ver. Diziam ser um drama que iria ser uma espécie de "True Beauty" de terror e no final foi só mais um drama para colocar um monte de idols no elenco e encher linguiça.Aquela menina do fromis_9 é a pior atriz do show. Ninguém se identifica com ela e a atuação foi aprendida diretamente de uma lista telefônica, que nem tem nada pra te ensinar a atuar.
Não vou mentir, os final dos capítulos eram muito intrigantes, mas metade da história foi jogada no lixo e, no meio de cada episódio, eu sempre pensava em desistir.
Personagem que não mostram intensão, nunca sabem o que querem de verdade em relação a suas personalidades, não mostram carisma e nenhum casal ali funciona de verdade. As cenas são constrangedoras, mesmo as que não eram para ser.
Me perguntava o porquê de ninguém estar comentando, mas, quando vi, percebi que estavam evitando essa atrocidade.
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