Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Based on the webtoon by Park Tae-joon, the animated Netflix series “Lookism” follows a fat unattractive student who is brutally bullied at school, and in a miraculous turn of events, he wakes up in an extremely handsome body just before he starts going to a new school. Protagonist Park Hyung Seok for the first time in his life experiences just how different life is for those who have the ‘right look’.
The show starts off on a promising note and its primary premise is obviously interesting – that one person can switch between two bodies and live two completely different lives. From being a pariah who was constantly beaten, Park Hyung Seok becomes the shiny new boy at school with his new body, over who pretty much everybody drools. Unused to positive attention, the boy finds himself in amusing situations, but the writing doesn’t maximize the story’s comic potential. The animation is decent enough, but doesn’t stand out.
The most disappointing aspect of this series is the lack of personality in Park Hyung Seok’s character. He simply goes along with things without much individuality. It’s annoying to see him desperately seeking friendship, even with those who mistreated him in his previous body. Moreover, the other characters in the show are either generic or overly one-dimensional. The only exception is Basco, a hot-headed youngster who refuses to tolerate bullying and is cautious around wealthy and good-looking individuals.
Clocking in at eight episodes, “Lookism” attempts to criticize the beauty-obsessed Korean society, but it fails to make a significant impact. It’s almost as if the creators are implying that if you lack attractiveness and talent, you are destined to be mistreated. Regardless, it makes for an entertaining one-time watch.
You can stream the series on Netflix.
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