How Did I Ever Sleep On Mask Girl??? A Straight 10 out of 10!!!
I avoided Mask Girl like the plague. A grown woman wearing a mask and dancing online? Count me out. Then I saw an online review and learned that my girl, NaNa, was in it so I thought I would check it out. Here's the thing with K-dramas. They can start out excellent, start to hiccup during the middle and fizzle out toward the end. Not Mask Girl. It was compelling from beginning to end. Never a false note. Every actor played their role to perfection. I even forgot that they were acting or what I had seen them in before, I was that drawn into the story. I streamed this in one day. I'm so glad all the eps were available to stream at one time.I won't give anything away about the plot. I will say that there are no cheap plot devices here, no forced cliffhangers and no sharks to jump. Just super clean writing from beginning to end. Every actor shined. They portrayed the human condition to perfection. Not once did I have to suspend disbelief. Not once did "that can't happen" pull me out of the story. Not once did I think something didn't make sense. No scenes felt like useless filler.
There's nothing cute about Masked Girl (although there is dark humor), there's no formulaic romances or any sweet, pretty boys to swoon over but once you watched the first episode you'll be hooked. Amazing story, excellent actors, tight plot, no dangling ends here, there and everywhere. What more could you ask? I was wondering what the future of K-drama would be and the future is here.
You owe it to yourself to watch Mask Girl. You won't be disappointed.
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MUST WATCH!
I wasn’t expecting much from this show but holy shit it did not disappoint!Each episode was filled with something new and interesting, the plotwists they would end each episode with made you want to continue immediately!
I’m in awe and i’m so sad that it only had 7 episodes.
I wasn’t rooting for anyone in the show until Mimo came. I’m so glad they connected a mother daughter relationship into the plot, it mended so well with the flow. Shows how strong mothers love can truly be.
I cannot feel angry at any of the characters in there, the grandma who hunted down Mimo was also a mother who was filled with grief and pain, Momi was no different. She wanted to protect her daughter just like she said in the car when she was fleeing.
Momi’s mother sacrificing herself in the end was so heart wrenching as well. She was painted as a heartless monster who didn’t care but a mother’s instinct and love can never truly go away.
I cried in the end, i’m really happy Mimo had her best friend with her in the end. And if the show ever did a sequel I would definitely watch!
I also wonder what happened to the daughter who needed that kidney donated…Hm!
Overall, amazing show! Great acting from everyone and great pacing. Must watch and it’s quick watch as well! 10/10!!
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The good.. the bad.. and the ugly.
One of my favorite genres. A convincingly dark tale of a woman played by three actresses, all good supported by also great actors.I don't need to elaborate so much on the plot to avoid much spoilers, but I do love this series because of its depth and the message it's conveying. It's dark yes, but needed to be told. Real ugly consequences of societal issues we face today, must be addressed and thanks to the producers and writers who bravely do it, using this medium.
The thing is, for me there was no need to use three actresses throughout the episodes, regardless if several years had passed. Though they were greatly portrayed by these women, I just think two were enough. Second actress was needed of course, but as several years had passed in some episodes, for me they could had just used some prosthetic makeup to make one look older, considering how advanced films or television series are made today. Some supporting actors didn't even change much or got much older, how come main actress changed that much.
Main issue for me as mentioned above, the mature actress used in the last two final episodes, though she was great too, didn't even resemble the second younger actress in any way, when it came to facial features, to make it more convincing that she used to be Mask girl after surgery. We retain some of our facial features regardless, through the years.
Other than my one issue, I'd say this is a beautifully done must see series if you're okay with some dark themes associated with it.
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As a person, she tries to solve her complex by hiding her face when she streams. She is well known and very popular, has many followers and viewers. Much of this can be recognized in series such as shadow beauty and true beauty by having a different character on the outside, in public that people don't know about. However, it does not solve all her problems, there is so much more going on in her private life. Her streaming character behind the mask is a so-called ''yeocam'', dancing a lot to well-known songs with some sexual allusions.
You get to see a short part of her upbringing about what has shaped her as a person. For those of you who have seen Celebrity, will recognize something about the celebrity. This one is much rougher and better in my opinion, more violent and less predictable. Also has the just mentioned a lot more of this more in this one that I missed in Celebrity. The focus of the series is not only on her, there are some important supporting roles that have their part in the plot. These people are also important. Some are looking for her, others want to help.
There are clear time markers when all events take place, so it's easy to keep up. Perceives the series as very mysterious and comical, while her life can be tragic at times. At the same time, it can be absurd, quirky and crazy at the same time. Dark humor with a little noir feel, filled with a certain amount of sadism and revenge. Can also be experienced as mentally ill in the style of Parasite in its ways. Much that happens in unexpected ways. The music is very good, at the same time we get to see and hear her dancing to old kpop hits sometimes. Some soundtracks are a bit reminiscent of the Squid game. Well written and provocative with its content. Everything fits in 7 episodes. Very interesting!!!!!!!
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Something made it a miss for me
Firstly, I do want to praise the production for the cast that they selected. This was really an outstanding cast from the teens to the various adult versions of Kim Mo Mi - they did a good job with that for sure. The whole storyline, however, felt...unrealistic and convoluted to me. The beginning I could definitely see as realistic - internet fame, the beauty standards of Korea being as it is, the bullying in grade school, the fanatical obsession by an older, lonely incel - on and on. Yeah, totally get it. But after we got into the mom learning how to use the computer to obsessively find her son's killer without actually considering the actions her son took, his proclivities, and the fact she never questioned why her son was killed in the first place it just started to fall apart. At that point, I couldn't help but put the show on 1.5x to see what nonsense they would create to patchwork the storyline together. I don't think that we actually got to know anything about the characters except their role as it relates to the plot and one or two things that they were fervent about (Kim Mo Mi remaining a loner, the mother being staunchly religious, the other mother being neglectful and uppity, Kim Mi Mo being semi-violent, etc.). They seemed like caricatures, and maybe that's what felt unbelievable about them and how the storyline played out. Idk, I really wanted to like this but...the elements and storyline were too out there for me.Was this review helpful to you?
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REVIEW
I think yall should watch it before having an opinion about it. Yes some scenes are disturbing and for the more sensitive ones it can be really disturbing. Some scenes are triggering too. But i dont think the drama is bad because of that. The characters are really complex and interesting , their behavior are really disputable. Also the fact that the series is kinda humorous at first but then at the second episode it starts to become really dark and serious. I really liked it because every characters are painting the failings of society. We can see with the protagonist the pressure put on women about their appearance and how it can perverted them to think that they need to prove something, to be « pretty », to correspond at those unhealthy males expectations on how women should be, how fragile they should be, how « pretty » they should be etc… Even the others characters are questionable so i think you really should watch this drama and dont stop at the second episode. It’s a very psychological drama and interesting. Also we can see the difference of treatment between men and women. if you defend yourselves as a women you will be treated as psychopath, you will be the dangerous one because its not « how you should behave » AS A WOMAN… Also we can see how bullying and rejection can make people feel bad about themselves, and create intense feelings of frustration that can manifest in different ways… If i have on negative point for this drama it’s the fact that i had the impression of watching two different series when i compare the beginning of the drama and the end but maybe it’s not a negative point idk. And also some scenes should have been more detailed ig in the middle of the drama but it’s a good serie after all so yall should definitely watch it!Was this review helpful to you?
K drama noir, and not for the faint hearted
This is not a typical k-drama, its more in the style of Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror, and I think it will appeal to anyone to likes a drama that makes you think hard, even if its unpleasent.Its starts as what you think as a fairly standard modern plot, and leads you to think how ordinary people end up doing things, just because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, or had the wrong sort of parent.
Its ugley no holds barred acting, and Yeom Hye-ran should win awards for this, just watching is exhausting.
As a couple we binge watched over three nights, having seen the all of the Glory , I think its even more powerful because it is an every day tale, there is no filter, being bad is not made glossy, no smart houses, the actors often without make up.
There is some sort redemption at the end, which is perhaps the only light touch, but no man saves these women, they have to save themselves.
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Compelling weekend binge
if you decide to watch this drama be prepared for a wild ride! Its very adult with a LOT of very graphic violence, sexual themes and some very horrible characters.BUT - there is a reason why I binged this over the weekend. The story is so compelling, I love that we have female characters of every generation and how the story reflects on different generation of women. The acting is absolutly incredible and the way the episodes are set up is great, every episode told another story within the story.
It is not for the squimish, a feel good KDrama this is NOT but if you like gritty dramas with interesting characters and developement in the story that are hard to forsee its for you.
I really like those shorter dramas now, this is something you can binge on a rainy weekend and the plot moves quickly.
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Dark, depressing and uncomfortable
Aug 2023First off, apart from graphic violence, there are scenes containing rape, domestic abuse and suggested self-harm, so be warned ahead of viewing.
It starts off fairly evenly, lulling us into a very false sense of security, before escalating and that escalation never stops until the very end.
The way in which those perceived to be less attractive, are overlooked, spoken to, and at worst, not even loved by their own parents, is horrible. School is one thing (teachers woefully absent as usual), but the workplace is reminiscent of the UK in the 70s/80s.
The main character's dreams, held from being an infant, were quickly slashed, as she grew older and her looks hsd diminished by the time she was a teen. Although a talented and confident dancer, she was never accepted, getting verbally abused, and soon gave up. Her mother was cold and unsupportive.
As an adult, she vents her craving for the adoration and attention of an audience, by performing often exotic dance routines online, wearing a mask and various wigs.
The story follows her double life, which due to several interactions with a co-worker, culminate in her having something of a melt down.
From there on, her luck goes from not great, to catastrophically awful.
The story does a FFWD (which I know annoys some, but it does fit in this instance) and the hatred and vengeance from the past wreaks havoc in the present.
One character in particular is amazingly portrayed; blind to their complicity, failings and own twisting of reality, because facing up to all that, would be even more painful and leave no one to lash out at. An honestly hateful person who wants to be the victim.
I found the story and mix of characters, frankly depressing. It gets quite ridiculous at times too, which spoilt any realism built up in scenes.
I can't say I enjoyed it, but I can't say it was bad. It was horrible really. How people can drive others to lose who they are, features strongly, and is sickening, as is the obsession with looks, that is very prevalent, not only in S.Korea, although they do seem particularly obsessed with it.
The cast are excellent. It has a docu-drama feel at times, even though, as said, the plot in terms of what's believable or possible, goes off the rails quite often.
The ending was quite something, but lacked in one major aspect, which I can't say in this, but will add a spoiler comment.
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what was that?
i’m genuinely confused by the high ratings on this drama. for once i don’t feel like i watched the same drama everyone else did. i understood the concept of the drama and what story they were trying to portray, but honestly it just wasn’t good to me. the acting is all that saved this drama for me, but i definitely couldn’t rate higher than a 5 in my right mind. even 7 eps felt like too much.. the format of one character’s backstory per episode also really dragged it for me. and don’t get my started on the r*pe we just ignored.Was this review helpful to you?
MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW THAT NANA IS SO BEAUTIFUL?
to say, The actresses in Kim Mi mo(Go Hyun Jung & Nana) did a good job! (Yeom Hye Ran) Kim Kyung Ja Real Prepsycho! That kept the drama alive And the rest were average. But the story was not set.Wasn't it?
The story of Mi-mo's life!
For that I saw 2G spread again. Too bad, because nothing else can be added.She wanted to be famous, but she was! Not in a good way! Didn't she need to live for that?These days there is concern about the end of the drama! But here it has turned completely 180 degrees. After seeing the end of the drama, it seems that the Chinese historical drama such as Wuxia,Xuanhuan type drama! 😪😝😷
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Pass, if you dislike gore and graphic rape.
High production value, but lifeless characters and flat dialogue, in my opinion. I know a lot of people loved it. So maybe the way the genre does things just isn't for me, but it felt like they were puppets more than people. Many of the decisions characters made also made very little sense and blatantly puppeteered to push the plot forward into more messed up sh*t.The story wasn't interesting enough for me to sit through and wait to see if there was more gore and rape scenes, so I dropped it just past the midway point.
I don't see how this was a "black comedy," It wasn't funny... A little absurd, but I didn't get any laughs.
Ultimately, I just dislike shock media. I enjoy dark stories and good fight scenes, but not pointless disturbing gore and sexual violence against women. Unlike others are calling it, it's not a "sex scene" it's a "rape scene." I don't need to see that and it adds nothing to the story.
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