Gangnam Beauty (Korean: 내 아이디는 강남미인) is a 2018 South Korean television series starring Im Soo-hyang, Cha Eun-woo, Jo Woo-ri, and Kwak Dong-yeon. It is based on a webtoon with the same name, created in 2016 by Naver. The story follows a college student who gets cosmetic surgery to avoid being teased by her classmates. However, her new appearance causes her classmates to mock her for looking too fake. The title refers to the Korean term gangnammiin (Gangnam beauty), a word used in South Korea to describe people who appear very attractive but look like they have had many plastic surgeries to improve their face, body, or both.
The series aired on JTBC from July 27 to September 15, 2018, every Friday and Saturday at 23:00 (KST). It received praise for showing how South Korean society often focuses on physical appearance and how people can be treated unfairly because of how they look.
Synopsis
Kang Mi-rae chooses to have plastic surgery after facing bullying for many years due to her appearance. At first, her new look appears to be a success, but as she begins university, her plan does not work as planned. The stress of being seen as a "pretty girl" becomes difficult for her, and people who notice her surgery mock her, calling her the "Gangnam plastic surgery monster." Mi-rae attempts to rebuild her confidence while learning more about her former middle school classmate, Do Kyung-seok, who is often distant to others but shows great care for his sister, Do Kyung-hee.
Cast
- Im Soo-hyang plays the role of Kang Mi-rae. Jeon Min-seo plays the role of young Kang Mi-rae.
- Cha Eun-woo plays the role of Do Kyung-seok. Shin Jun-seop plays the role of young Do Kyung-seok. Moon Woo-jin plays the role of child Do Kyung-seok.
- Jo Woo-ri plays the role of Hyun Soo-ah. Lee Chae-yun plays the role of young Hyun Soo-ah.
- Kwak Dong-yeon plays the role of Yeon Woo-young.
- Jung Myung-hoon plays the role of Young-mo.
- Ji Sang-hyuk plays the role of Lee Soo-hyun.
- Ha Kyung plays the role of Yong Chul.
- Yoo In-soo plays the role of Park Rae-sun. Cha Bo-sung plays the role of Ye Joon, a freshman (Ep. 2-3).
- Lee Young-ae
- Um Hong-gil
- Ahn Sang-tae plays the role of Taxi passenger
- Junoflo
- Jeon Jin-ki plays the role of Priest
- Yoon Bo-ra
- Tiger JK
- Bizzy
- Han Hyun-min
- Abhishek Gupta
Production
- The series was written by Choi Soo-young, who also created a previous show called Cunning Single Lady in 2014.
- The first script reading was held on May 30, 2018, at the JTBC building located in Sangam-dong, Seoul, South Korea.
- On December 26, 2024, a Japanese version of the show will be released under the title I'm a Cosmetic Surgery Beauty, with the main characters played by Kyoya Honda and Anna Ishii.
Reception
The series received praise for its mysterious depiction of the main character's childhood. Viewers praised director Choi for his thoughtful way of showing the characters.
The series was a commercial success and received praise from critics for asking questions about how society focuses on appearances and the real meaning of happiness and beauty.
The cast and staff of the drama went on a vacation as a reward to Cebu, Philippines for 4 nights and 5 days on October 19, 2018.