Lookism (Korean: 외모지상주의; RR: Oemojisangjui) is a South Korean webtoon written and illustrated by Taejun Pak.[1] The webtoon was first published weekly on Naver Webtoon in November 2014. Its story revolves around a high-school student who can switch between two bodies: one fat and ugly, and the other fit and handsome.[2]
Lookism | |
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외모지상주의 Oemojisangjui | |
Genre | Comedy, drama |
Author | Taejun Pak |
Publisher | Daewon and Book |
Webtoon service |
|
Original run | November 20, 2014 – present |
Volumes | 20 |
Original net animation | |
Directed by | Kwang Il Han |
Written by | Isao Murayama |
Music by | Kyung-Hoon Han |
Studio | Studio Mir |
Licensed by | Netflix |
Released | December 8, 2022 |
Episodes | 8 |
An aeni series adaptation by Studio Mir was released globally in December 2022 on Netflix.
Park Hyung Seok is an unpopular and bullied high school student who is looked down on by his fellow students for his obesity. Bullied and harassed every day by a delinquent, he takes out his anger verbally on his mother and asks for a school transfer. Resolving to run away from his problems and start anew, he moves to Seoul and plans to attend a new high school. A few nights before he begins school, however, he receives a new body that is tall, muscular, and handsome. When one body is in use, the other falls asleep; he can switch bodies by waking up the sleeping one.
His days are split between the two bodies: the handsome one for the daytime, and the original for the night. As Daniel Park (Park Hyung Seok) lives with two bodies, he begins to see how much the world discriminates against ugly people. He experiences discrimination and hate for his original body while receiving kindness and special treatment in his new body. He soon becomes a social media influencer, a trainee for an entertainment company, and a fashion model. At night, however, Daniel's dream life becomes a harsh reality when he returns to his original body.
The webtoon's main theme is lookism: bias based on a person's physical appearance. Daniel, the main character, is an overweight, unattractive student who is bullied until his appearance changes. Other themes include gangs, extortion, bullying, animal hoarding, cults, body shaming, anti-social behaviours, stalking, body positivity, rape, and attempted murder.
Daniel's design was inspired by model Park Hyung-seok. Jay Hong's design was inspired by model Hong Jae-yeol; DG was inspired by G-Dragon; Oliver Jang's design was inspired by Jang Dongwoo, ARU by singer IU, Jace is modeled by former 2PM leader and singer Jay Park. and Vasco/Euntae Lee was inspired by a rapper whose former stage name was Vasco. The manhwa was created by Taejun Pak, also a model.
No. | Korean release date | Korean ISBN |
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1 | May 17, 2017[5] | 979-1-13-342885-4 |
2 | March 25, 2018[6] | 979-1-13-343055-0 |
3 | April 25, 2018[7] | 979-1-13-347732-6 |
4 | May 25, 2018[8] | 979-1-13-348045-6 |
5 | July 10, 2018[9] | 979-1-13-348366-2 |
6 | September 25, 2018[10] | 979-1-13-348406-5 |
7 | October 25, 2018[11] | 979-1-13-349354-8 |
8 | December 15, 2018[12] | 979-1-13-349915-1 |
9 | July 20, 2019[13] | 979-1-13-620271-0 |
10 | October 2, 2019[14] | 979-1-13-348045-6 |
11 | December 15, 2019[15] | 979-1-13-621739-4 |
12 | February 2, 2020[16] | 979-1-13-622100-1 |
13 | April 15, 2020[17] | 979-1-13-622886-4 |
14 | July 1, 2020[18] | 979-1-13-623408-7 |
15 | November 15, 2020[19] | 979-1-13-625262-3 |
16 | February 15, 2021[20] | 979-1-13-625923-3 |
17 | May 5, 2021[21] | 979-1-13-627038-2 |
18 | August 5, 2021[22] | 979-1-13-628194-4 |
19 | January 19, 2022[23] | 979-1-13-628195-1 |
20 | May 20, 2022[24] | 979-1-13-628196-8 |
Tencent produced 外貌至上主义 (Wàimào Zhìshàng Zhǔyì), a 38-episode Chinese television series based on Lookism, in 2019. The Chinese series starred Lomon, Wayne Zhang, Wang Zi Xuan and Dino Lee.
A Korean animated series adaptation by Studio Mir titled 외모지상주의 / Gaiken Shijō Shugi (外見至上主義) was announced during Netflix's "Tudum" virtual event on September 25, 2022. The series is directed by Kwang Il Han, with Dae Woo Lee doing the art direction and Kyung-Hoon Han composing the music.[25] It was originally set to be released worldwide on Netflix on November 4, 2022, but was delayed to December 8,[26] due to the Seoul Halloween crowd crush.[27] Ateez performed the series' theme song "Like That" accompanying the opening credits of the show made by Andarta Pictures, a French animation studio.[28][29]
No. | English title (Korean title) |
Episode director | Animation director(s) | Original release date | |
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1 | "Change" Transliteration: "Byeonhwa" (Korean: 변화) | Kang Heechul | Sanghyeok Bang | December 8, 2022 | |
Episode 1 of "Lookism" kicks off with a gritty and heart-wrenching glimpse into the life of Park Hyeong-seok. A target of incessant bullying, Hyeong-seok's every move is critiqued and ridiculed by his classmates, be it his weight, his financial status, or the way he simply looks. His moments of torment are punctuated with jeers of "pig" and "loser", pushing him further into a pit of despair and loneliness. A particularly brutal scene takes center stage when Tae-seong and his gang turn a game of dodgeball into a harrowing ordeal for Hyeong-seok, aiming directly for his head with every throw. The situation only grows graver when his mother intervenes, with Hyeong-seok’s embarrassment culminating in a public argument that leaves onlookers whispering. Desperate for escape, Hyeong-seok pleads with his mother to change schools, hoping to find a fresh start. His wish is granted, and we watch as he navigates his new surroundings with a mix of trepidation and hope. However, just when Hyeong-seok thinks he's got a fresh start, an altercation with a student named Jin-seong sends him spiraling back into the shadows of public humiliation, with a video of the fight going viral. But the twist in the tale comes post this brutal beating. Waking up from his slumber, Hyeong-seok finds himself in a completely unfamiliar body - fit, tall, and conventionally attractive. The once-bullied teenager is now turning heads everywhere he goes. His newfound looks grant him instant popularity, as classmates gush over his appearance and even speculate about his identity. | |||||
2 | "New Life" Transliteration: "Saeloun Saenghwal" (Korean: 새로운 생활) | Park So-young | Dongju Yang Yeonhee Lee | December 8, 2022 | |
As the episode unfolds, we discover Hyeong-seok's unusual ability to switch bodies after he falls asleep, making him essentially live two different lives. At school, he garners attention due to his tall stature and handsome looks. This draws the attention of multiple classmates, including the flirtatious Ha-neul. However, his looks also earn him unexpected challenges and confrontations, especially with a notorious bully named Lee Jin-seong. The episode introduces the school's unique structure of various specialized classes, ranging from Fashion Design to Cosmetology. Hyeong-seok's decision to join the Fashion Design class is met with surprise and curiosity, emphasizing the school's distinctive nature. As the story progresses, we delve deeper into Hyeong-seok's struggles with juggling his dual lives. He struggles with finding a job and even gets one at a convenience store, only to have a fateful encounter with Jin-seong and his gang. The climax of the episode takes place when Jin-seong, known for his boxing prowess, confronts Hyeong-seok. An intense fight ensues. Contrary to expectations, Hyeong-seok manages to dodge Jin-seong's punches and even lands a surprising knockout punch, leaving the entire school in shock. Hyeong-seok's unexpected skills and strength become the talk of the school. By the end of the episode, Hyeong-seok's reputation at school changes dramatically. While he gains respect and admiration from some students, he also draws the attention of the school's bullies and notorious gangs, hinting at further challenges and confrontations in upcoming episodes. | |||||
3 | "Friends" Transliteration: "Chingu" (Korean: 친구) | Seungwoo Han | Sanghyeok Bang Yongho Kim | December 8, 2022 | |
The excitement is short-lived as the scene moves to a convenience store setting where the stark difference in how people perceive others based on their looks is made glaringly evident. Here, Park Ji-ho struggles with his two identities: one being ridiculed and the other, puzzlingly, drawing concern. After a botched theft, a series of photos potentially jeopardizing Ji-ho's reputation becomes the center of the tension. Then, an unexpected intervention occurs. A character named Basco, recognized as a strong figure in their school, steps in. Conversations reveal that Basco is also known as Lee Eun-tae, the founder of a group called Burn Knuckle. There’s a mix of awe and fear around him, and he is seen to have a disdain for those who take advantage of the weak. The school setting shifts to the cafeteria, where the balance of power and alliances are displayed. Hyeong-seok, another central character, draws attention. The episode delves into the juxtaposition of his strength and vulnerability, particularly when alcohol is brought into play. A series of misunderstandings, confrontations, and eventual reconciliations lead to a new dynamic between Hyeong-seok, Basco, and Ji-ho. Amidst the chaotic interplay of friendships and rivalries, the episode ends on a mysterious note. Hyeong-seok, who earlier had been seen seamlessly switching between two identities, finds himself in a familiar setting but with a twist, emphasizing the recurring theme of dual identities. The final scene takes us back to school where Hyeong-seok's and Ji-ho's unlikely friendship blooms, leaving viewers on a cliffhanger about the unfolding relationship dynamics in Jaewon High School. | |||||
4 | "Mom" Transliteration: "Eomma" (Korean: 엄마) | Kang Heechul | Sanghyeok Bang Yongho Kim | December 8, 2022 | |
It starts with the revelation of Hyeong-seok's living situation. In a twist of events, we find out he's been rooming with a friend to save on rent, and unbeknownst to his mother, he's been working nights at a convenience store. This discovery catches Hyeong-seok's mom off guard as she visits, leading to an insightful chat between her and Hyeong-seok's roommate. Their conversation unveils Hyeong-seok's past, where he was bullied in his previous school, making his mother question his current state. The roommate assures her of his well-being, but as the story unfolds, the sincerity of this assurance is in question. As the narrative progresses, we witness a heated confrontation in which Hyeong-seok's roommate gets involved in a misunderstanding over money he accepted from Hyeong-seok's mom. This altercation with another student reveals a raw display of martial arts, showcasing the physical prowess of the characters involved. While Hyeong-seok's roommate is berated for taking money, the scene culminates in an unexpected victory against Basco, a formidable fighter known for his strength. This sparks a realization in the roommate of his own potential strength. Later at a convenience store, Hyeong-seok's roommate's internal conflict continues. He confronts his perceived weakness, yearning to grow stronger. An act of kindness from an unknown individual further fuels his determination, ending the episode with a light-hearted attempt at sit-ups, which humorously contrasts the intense confrontations earlier. The episode deepens the audience's understanding of Hyeong-seok's personal struggles, his relationship with his mother, and the emerging power dynamics among students, leaving us in anticipation of what comes next. | |||||
5 | "Kidness" Transliteration: "Houi" (Korean: 호의) | Park So-young | Park Hyung-geun | December 8, 2022 | |
6 | "Recommendation" Transliteration: "Gwon-yu" (Korean: 권유) | Seungwoo Han | Yang Dong-joo Lee Yeon-hee | December 8, 2022 | |
7 | "Special Training" Transliteration: "Teughun" (Korean: 특훈) | Kang Heechul | Yang Dong-joo Lee Yeon-hee | December 8, 2022 | |
8 | "Wall" Transliteration: "Byeog" (Korean: 벽) | Park So-young | Park Hyung-geun | December 8, 2022 |