The Netflix Korean drama “Masked Lady,” adapted from the webcomic of the same name, was recently released. It faithfully reproduces the content of the comic and quickly became a hot topic due to its explicit and mature storyline. Starring Ko Hyun-jeong, Nana, and Lee Han-seong, the drama portrays the beautiful appearance of the characters in different time periods. Many comic readers praised the “divine reproduction” of the characters, and the series has been hailed as one of the “best Korean dramas of 2023”!
Netflix’s “Masked Lady” was released on August 18th. It is written and directed by director Kim Yong-hoon, who also directed the film “Beasts Clawing at Straws”. The series is adapted from the webcomic of the same name created by Korean comic artists Memi and HeeSe. It combines elements of thriller and black comedy, with bold and edgy content. The story follows Kim Maobei, a working woman who is insecure about her appearance but has a devilish figure. Every night, she wears a mask and engages in BJ activities (broadcasting on the internet) which leads her into unexpected events and turns her life upside down.
“Masked Lady” has a total of 7 episodes, with Gao Xianting, Nana, and Li Hanxing jointly interpreting the role of “Jin Maomei”, respectively playing the protagonist Jin Maomei before and after plastic surgery and middle-aged Jin Maomei. The story unfolds with “three names, three lifetimes, three murder cases” about her. The director shared that when initially setting up the concept of “three actors playing one role,” he went through a long period of consideration. He believed that the effects of special makeup or special effects were not as good as the portrayal by real actors, so he ultimately decided on “three actors playing one role.” The director also expressed great satisfaction with the outcome.
The pre-plastic surgery “Golden Beauty” was played by amateur actress Li Hanxing, who possesses a unique charm. She stood out among thousands of people during auditions and successfully debuted with “Masked Lady”! She had always dreamed of becoming an artist and singer since she was young, but her appearance caused her to suffer from low self-esteem, forcing her to give up her dreams. During the day, she works as an ordinary office worker, but at night, she puts on a mask and transforms into a 19+ live streamer called “Masked Lady,” gaining high popularity online. Unexpected events occur, leading to unforeseen consequences in the end.
It is worth mentioning that Li Hanxing’s facial features bear a striking resemblance to the original comic character. In the comic, the pre-plastic surgery Jin Maomei has prominent cheekbones, a long and thin face, and wide-set eyes, which are considered “ugly” features. As a result, she has been hailed by the audience as “the most like the female protagonist in the original work!”
The post-surgery “Gorgeous Beauty” is played by Nana, who is known as the “most beautiful face in the world”; after the plastic surgery, Gorgeous Beauty is reborn with a beautiful appearance and hides her true identity, using the name “Beautiful” to perform as a cabaret dancer at a bar! The later version of “Gorgeous Beauty” is played by Gao Xianting, who gets involved in the “Masked Dancer Murder Case” and is eventually sentenced to life imprisonment, serving 15 years in prison until one day she receives a letter that prompts her to decide to escape.
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In the drama “Reply 1988,” Ahn Jae-hong played the role of “Ju-wonam,” a company colleague who secretly admires Kim Maobei’s beauty. Like Kim Maobei, he feels insecure about his appearance. The only thing that brings him happiness is watching live streams online. However, he unexpectedly discovers that his favorite live streamer, “Masked Lady,” is actually his colleague Kim Maobei. As a result, they both get involved in an unexpected event.
The portrayal of “Lian Hui Lan” as a vengeful mother in “Dark Glory” was impressive. This time, she plays the role of “Jin Qing Zi,” the mother of Zhu Wu Nan. After divorcing her husband, she lives her life solely for her son. When her son suddenly goes missing and tragically passes away, Jin Qing Zi begins to unravel the mystery of her son’s death through various actions.
The topic of plastic surgery continues to be popular, just like the personal and even social issues that may arise in “Masked Girl”. It is also a hidden concern that has always existed in Korea, and it really needs more attention from people! The drama once again sparked discussion about “Korean plastic surgery culture” and gave the director the opportunity to convey through this work: “There are many different people in this society, and some people may not be understood, but I hope everyone can see people and things from different perspectives, and perhaps generate different ideas!”
