There are very few Korean anime in the world of popular K-dramas. But one has caught the attention of fans after its premiere on Netflix in December. netflix anime, Lookismis a must watch for anyone who is in love with the unique look of Korean web movies and the story of a K-drama. Lookism tells the story of a bullied teenager in high school who wakes up one day in a brand new, beautiful body. A new school and a new body give him a chance to change his life and make lifelong friends.
[WARNING: This article contains minor spoilers for Lookism.]
‘Lookism’ was first a popular online movie before it became a Chinese drama and an anime
According to WEBTOON, Lookism was first a popular web series True beauty and more. Created by Taejun Park, it was first published in June 2017. The popular online video is still in circulation, with 9 billion views on the fan page.
“Daniel is an unattractive loner who wakes up in another body. Now tall, handsome and cooler than ever in his new form, Daniel aims to achieve everything he couldn’t before. How far will he go to keep his body his… and secrets?” reading synopsis on WEBTOON.
Daniel is the opposite of what most people would consider attractive. Due to bullying, lack of self-confidence and living conditions with his mother, he also has no friends. Many people bullied him constantly in grade until one day his mother witnessed it. She raises the money to send him to a specialized high school that caters to talent. On the first day, his consciousness awakens in a strikingly handsome body. With a new look, he sets out to achieve what was once unattainable.
Before you became an anime, Lookism was first developed into a Chinese drama in 2019. Dada Zhang played the real-life version of Daniel. The handsome Daniel was played Others’ Revenge and All of us are dead K-drama star Lomon. Netflix’s Lookism anime brings to life the drawings and heartfelt story illustrated on Park’s web series.
Netflix’s “Lookism” is a striking display of the vicious cycle of bullying paralleled by friendship and heart
Unlike Japanese anime, Korean web series-based anime have a distinctive look. Netflix’s Lookism is like watching a K-drama and a live-action web movie combined. In addition to the visual appeal, Lookism tackles the dark societal questions of what it means to be attractive in a world where bullying is the norm, which Weak hero class 1 K-drama. Above all, fans watch Park Hyung-suk (Daniel) never lose sight of who he is at heart despite his new handsome body.
While at his new school, he becomes a god that every girl and boy is fooled by. Hyung-suk remains humble, but catches the attention of a bully. His new agility allowed him to block the bully’s unstoppable blows. The main character is soon caught up in a misunderstanding when Basco, one of the school’s top fighters, thinks he is taking advantage of the real Hyung-suk. In reality, he has no idea handsome Hyung-suk and the real Hyung-suk are the same people.
But in the center of Lookism anime is Hyung-suk’s heart. He meets two students who are also exposed to bullying. Seeing himself, Hyung-suk goes out of his way to become the friend he wishes he had. But one of the students has a hard time accepting that someone as handsome as Hyung-suk doesn’t want anything in return. Deok-hwa is like Hyung-suk, raised by his grandmother, bullied and dreams of being in the music business.
When he hears Hyung-suk singing a sad song, he realizes that Hyung-suk understands his pain. Together with their other friend, they work to attend a festival to prove to each bully their talents and friendship.
The Korean Netflix anime spotlights music with Ateez
Hyung-suk’s real dream is mixed with bullying and the friendship story. Even before his handsome body, he dreamed of becoming a singer, but knew his looks would stop him. IN Lookism anime, fans see how even being attractive doesn’t change Hyung-suk’s struggles with self-esteem. That changes when he gives a ballad version of the anime’s soundtrack song “Fly Up”.
The Lookism anime uses the popular K-Pop group Ateez as its main theme song. It ties in with Hyung-suk and Deok-hwa’s musical ambitions and the high school’s catering for students who want to enter the music industry.
K-Pop fans will jump to the anime’s opening sequence featuring Ateez’s “Like That,” composed by Eden, Door, HLB, and Buddy. Fans will also see Deok-hwa idolize Eminem for his ability to get out of his poor financial situation with his passion for rap music.
Lookism is available on Netflix.