Bit dated but enjoyable.
This is one of those movies that going in I didn't really have high expectations per it's subject matter, but it actually surprised me. It's by no means a master piece and would probably not be made today but was still enjoyable and had some laugh out loud moments.Serious the scene where she throws the dog had me laughing so hard. Lol :D
I think trying to show you should have confidence in yourself is great, but this movie kind of falls flat on it's face when delivering the message as it really only means that if your attractive. The ML waivered back and forth between a jerk and being the hero. I suppose in fairness he did say he was an asshole so I suppose he got what he deserved in the end. At least there wasn't some SML who had to stand by and watch as all the shit went down. Very 2006 too, the hair of that era was just..... a bad idea. The music was really good, I really liked it but i don't see myself turning this on again. One watch was enough.
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This is for the first time I am writing a review!!
As, I said earlier this is my first review in MDL. This is quite an underrated movie. Watch it, I believe you will also feel the same. The movie is quite down to earth and the ending is not hasty or boring at all. Till the end I could find myself crying and loving the story. The acting, the story everything about it made me overwhelmed. Although the character of the ML didn't do justice much. Shown a jerk from the beginning, suddenly his character shift jolted the ambience. But still the story will keep you glued.Was this review helpful to you?
STORY -
There's nothing truly special about the plot. It's got your usual sprinkling of cliches when it comes to stories like this, but what made this one truly special was how utterly loveable Hanna was as a main character. The sincerity in her character made each moment shine in a way that it might not have otherwise with a less interesting character. In all honesty, the problem with this movie was the fact that Hanna was too loveable. Now, before you go 'wtf', I'll explain... I feel as if she was given so much love by the writers that all the other characters suffered as a result because wow, were they all seriously unlikeable!
Okay, I backtrack... I did really like the main male lead and there was wonderful chemistry between him and Hanna, but I feel like there was a lot that was left unexplained by the end. While Hanna had her moment to really let out her emotions and develop as a character, there wasn't that kind of epiphany for him. Like he did a crappy thing in the beginning of the movie, which as the audience, we're to assume that it was all a ruse, but it was never truly explained in the movie. I just wish there was a moment where he had to face up to what he did and try to explain his actions to her.
But my gosh, the best friend character? Actually the most toxic friendship ever. She was HORRIBLE to Hanna, both when she was fat and when she was skinny. She was constantly mean and completely unsupportive. It's really no wonder that Hanna went to such a dark place. She has no support system whatsoever. I hated her best friend so much. And the 'female villain' character? Like... literally, what role did she even play in the movie? She was there for like a minute and caused a bit of ruckus, but then she just disappeared.
ACTING -
Fantabulous!! Kim Ah Joong was honestly amazing as Hanna. Like I said above, the reason I love this movie was solely because of her. The raw emotion in her face made those heartbreaking scenes even more painful, like you could feel what she was going through. And likewise, when she was happy and smiled, it made you happy too. That's the sign of a great actress! I'm totally going to go search her and watch more of her dramas/movies. I'm in love!
Joo Jin Mo was also really great in his role even his character needed to be a little more fleshed out, but I really really enjoyed the way he portrayed him. And he really did have great chemistry with KAJ. They were so good together!
MUSIC -
That Ave Maria song is stuck in my head right now so I'll say it was awesome!! Also, the song Hanna writes and sings?? WOW!! It's beautiful! Loooooved it so much! She has a fantastic voice!
REWATCH?? I don't know. I rarely rewatch anything. The only ones I would have a rating of 10 so probably not. But it's not to say this wasn't good though!
OVERALL... I say just give it a go! It's cute, sweet, heartwarming and you'll fall head over heels for Kim Ah Joong!
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This review may contain spoilers
Uncomfortable watch
The show seems to be normalizing plastic surgery obsession, sending the message that changing your appearance will make your crush notice you and date you and make your life "cool", Skinny and beautiful is the solution...The storyline and mainly the message feel harmful, especially since the main character is focused on a guy who called her ugly and f*t before she underwent her transformation. What bothers me even more is that they didn't explore the possibility of her falling for someone who genuinely loves and appreciates her as she is, instead she kept seeking his approval. How about making her fall for someone else instead ? The male lead would never think to be with her if she didn't change her appearance.. and i don't appreciate the insulting comedy about her weight, so many wrong things with this movie I dont recommend
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This review may contain spoilers
Confused, but has the spirit.
This is one of the few things coming out of Asia that dares look at their fixation on women's bodies, even in the year 2025. For that, it gets some merit. Does it to it particularly well? Ehh.This is a passionate project that feels very strongly about its issues, but it also fails to commit itself to carrying through, and it flubs the landing.
200 Pounds Beauty raises the question of women's bodily standards, sexism in the entertainment business, systemic shaming, pretty privilege and plastic surgery...while fat shaming and affirming those same things. It makes for a confused viewing experience.
The story line about Kang Ha Na's career resolves itself, the situation with Han Sang Jun does not. The relationship is the more poignant through line of the movie, Ha Na's love for this man who is kind to her face, but sees her as lesser. At no point is Han Sang Jun ever called upon to radically change his thinking, or to accept culpability for his attitudes and actions which have played across this woman's body like a warzone. He is a wholly undeserving partner for Ha Na, and the series shows its age and bias in the notion that she doesn't totally abandon him as a romantic prospect. He voices the same tired opinions as every other man- a woman must be beautiful to date him, but she can't have had plastic surgery to make herself into a beautiful object.
While this is an upbeat and often funny movie to watch, the undercurrent about female exploitation is quite dark, as is the production's inability to fully condemn it. Ha Na is surrounded by beautiful, untalented women; her talent only becomes worthy of attention and respect once she is beautiful; it is then which she is also no longer subject to being exploited by men around her, which is patently untrue. Beautiful women are at risk of more exploitation, beauty does not solve these problems. This lack of a critical eye and heart fundamentally cripple this movie, through it remains an interesting showcase in mid 2000's attitudes. For that reason, it is worth a watch.
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I like the message the movie wants to impart to its viewers. Beauty is not only what you see outside, it should be inside and out. A person should be atoned with himself/herself. Love yourself before anything else.
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This review may contain spoilers
at the beginning it was carrying a great message that you should love yourself as you are and when you try to change because of someone
you are going to lose much
then i waited for the most important part when the ML is going to love her the way she was before plastic surgeries
but that doesn't happen
he said literally that she made him feel with disgust
then towards the end he said she was someone he used to love
???????? HOW COME ???????????
then he loved her the way she became after plastic surgeries
i dislike
this is saying you should be perfect as models so community will accept you
and then you are going to find yourself a lover
and i disliked the main FL she seemed to had real plastic surgery
especially at her teeth and lips :/
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The music (Maria) is the best part, but it is also a good movie.
Maybe, kind of some spoiler-ish things but I swear I didn't tell you the whole plot!This movie is a "finding yourself" kind of movie. The weight loss and plastic surgery is similar to what you'd see in My ID is Gangnam Beauty (내 아이디는 강남 미인, sorry I had to look up the English title, so I think that is right).
The main character has terrible confidence, which isn't helped by the industry she is working in or that fact that she is a ghost singer to a skinny, societal-beauty-standard achieving singer. It's always sad to see that kind of situation, someone thinking there is something wrong with them, so they physically change it, but there are sooooo many plastic surgery clinics and ads everywhere in Seoul that this is pretty applicable to real life. In that aspect I like that it is relatable.
The movie definitely has funny parts! I like how the lead actress portrayed her character and I like the lesson of the movie. The main song, Maria, is the highlight for me (because I love high notes like in western music) and it's just a kicka** moment :)
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I appreciate how honest it is about the way people get treated when they don't look a certain way and how they can get treated even when they do. It brings up a lot of good points in the 'What is Beauty' debate. But then it leaves you to your own devices and just expects you to figure out what the story is trying to say without ever making any declarative statements to guide you.
It had so much to say, but in the end, it chickened out and didn't say it. So why do I still love it so much?
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