#on the top of my head i can think of my id is gangnam beauty

[strawberryseeded]

no shoujo manga no life etc but even tho i very much enjoy literally every typical shoujo beat, themes, events, long etc, i cant help but notice more and more how the ideas of fashion/trendyness, make-up and weight loss are so intrinsically tied with the idea of 'love' and 'growth' and 'trying hard for ur partner/s/o’ in a way thats... tbh incredibly insidious, especially since most of the time its framed in a cutesy way. like... i get it, trust me. i get the meaning behind it. its about methamorphosis. its a conceptual/visual methaphor to show how a character is making changes on the inside (which manifest outwardly). the occidental version of this wud be the (infamous) classic ‘glow up’/’makeover’ scenes in romance movies (which has already been discussed and dissected, and deservedly so, infinite times)

but the thing is.. when theres an entire chapter dedicated to the weight loss of an already skinny character (and btw, the conclusion is, in fact, that you absolutely should not get fatter if you respect yourself), or multiple plot points feeding into the idea that not putting ‘enough’ effort in the way you look is immature (a notion that makes sense from a societal point of view, tbh. but its such a complex matter that when its simply glossed over it just ends up sounding...bleak, in my opinion), or whole ARCS about unkept 15 y/o girls who didnt give a fuck abt her own appearence are now self-conscious and thats good actually..... well that just sucks, you know

maybe its not all (most of it, at least) as in-your-face as im making it sound, but still. its.. its bad dude. obviously i wud not love shoujo manga as much as i do if it always were so fucking cringe. the genre has so many beautiful stories to offer. so many lovable characters with immense growth, and actually very complex & difficult themes that it explores in very nuanced and mature ways!!!!!!!!! its just that i dont rly agree with the way a loooot of them handle the topic of beauty standars (for young girls and women especially).

like, 4 ex im reading this cute af story which could have been handle very poorly in the wrong hands, since it deals with toxic behaviours in romantic relationships. but its. so fucking well done?? it explores all the gray areas in suchhhhh a respectful way, and never sacrificing the heart-warming feel/overall positiveness of the series.. but when it comes to the topic i previously mentioned? i feel it lacks a bit of.. deconstruction, i guess its the word?

[i-got-the-feels]

I love LOVE it when K drama female characters are shown to passionate about their jobs and are shown to be good at it - not simply because they are main characters or to serve a plot point but because they work hard to be good at it and care about the job they do and the impact it has.

Top of my head, the characters I can think of?

•Descendants of The Sun and Hospital Playlist- Doctors, nurses, and soldiers

• Run On - Translator, editor and CEO

• Now we are breaking up - Fashion designer

• Search WWW - Software engineers

• Be Melodramatic - Marketing, Author, Documentary film-maker, actress, CEO

• Doom at your service - Writer and Editor

• Flower of Evil - police officer and prosthetic make up artist

• Its okay to not be okay - writer and psychiatric nurse

• Hometown cha cha cha - dentist, dental hygienist and writer.

• Fight for my way - announcer

• Weightlifting fairy Kim bok joo - athelete

• Romance is a bonus book - editor

• Pinnochio and while you were sleeping - journalist

• Angle's last mission:love - ballet dancer

• Move to Heaven - social worker

• My roommate is a gumiho - Historian

• My Id is gangnam beauty - Perfumer

• True beauty - make up artist

Please add more.

[snibnoom]

Eunwoo and ‘True Beauty’

Eunwoo has been offered the role of Suho in the webdrama ‘True Beauty' based on a webcomic of the same name. However, many Korean aroha are tweeting with a couple of hashtags for Fantagio to REJECT the offer. Here’s why (from my understanding and the translations of a helpful aroha on Twitter: source).

Note: all of this comes from translations from Korean aroha, not international fans’ personal preferences or views.

TW: suicide, nth room

Reason 1: The Writer is Problematic and the Comic is Misogynistic.

For reasons I’m not entirely clear on, Korean aroha are calling out the writer of the webcomic as problematic. Since I have no understanding of the situation with the writer, I’ll take their word on it. Additionally, the comic in the Korean social space has very split views on it, with some liking it and others aboslutely hating it.

The ‘True Beauty’ webcomic portrays a girl who is “ugly” and uses makeup to turn herself into a different person to find friends and eventually love with Suho. From my understanding, while the webcomic does display Suho falling in love with the lead girl for her natural looks, it also displays ideas that girls are only thought of as pretty in normal society if they wear makeup. This is a somewhat problematic concept to display in Korea given the ideals held for looks, especially for women.

TW: suicide. The writer also chose to depict the suicide of one of the characters in the webcomic. From my understanding, Korean readers were so upset that the writer issued an apology on Instagram, only to delete it the next day.

Reason 2: ‘My ID is Gangnam Beauty’’s Reception and Similar Stories

In summer 2018, Eunwoo played Do Kyungsuk, the lead male in ‘My ID is Gangnam Beauty’. The drama had a similar story to ‘True Beauty,’ but rather than the main character using makeup to reach social norms of beauty, she had plastic surgery.

In Korea’s social sphere, ‘My ID is Gangnam Beauty’ was praised, but also vehemently hated. The drama displayed ideas challenging the societal standards of beauty, but also the idea that doing plastic surgery is fine to fit in. ‘True Beauty’ shows a similar dichotomy of ideas but does not dive into it as substantially. From my understanding, the webcomic also has very split reviews in Korea.

Korean aroha are worried for Eunwoo taking this role as Suho due to the similarity of the previous roles he’s played (a “flower boy”). Actors reach a point in their career that, if they take so many similar roles, they’ll be branded as someone who can only/should only take more roles like that, and branching off can cause a bit of a scandal. Eunwoo has also said in the past that he wants to try new, more diverse roles as an actor.

Reason 3: Nth Room Scandal and Korea’s Current Social Environment

TW: nth room

If you are unaware of what the Nth Room scandal is, I’m going to do my best to consolidate the massive amount of information associated with it into something short and easy to understand, as I understand it. This may not be entirely accurate. 

As far as I know, a group of people on a messaging app were opperating chat rooms where individuals could pay to watch videos of women in sexual situations. These videos were taken without consent and shared openly. This operation was recently discovered and it’s estimated that thousands of people participated in these chat rooms, including some (currently unnamed) public figures, such as busines owners and celebrities.

‘True Beauty,’ as I understand, is thought to display the characters, especially the main female character, who is a minor, in a very highly sexualized manner. Association with a piece of media that employs this type of imagery in the current social environment in Korea could tarnish Eunwoo’s reputation and earn him a large amount of hate.

The Nth Room scandal also included usage of some footage that was obtained by blackmailing young girls. This relates to a subplot in ‘True Beauty’ where the main character is blackmailed into doing things or her “true face” (her face without makeup on) would be revealed.

Additionally, the Nth Room chat rooms were said to be run by a minor and many minors allegedly participated. Because the characters in ‘True Beauty’ are minors, it’s a sensitive subject.

Reason 4: Eunwoo’s Schedule

As we all know, ASTRO are heading into their comeback on May 4th. Promotions for that alone will give Eunwoo a packed schedule. In addition to this, Eunwoo was recently cast as a fixed cast member on Master in the House, a show that airs every Sunday where participants spend two days and one night together getting to know each other and talking about various subjects.

Eunwoo’s schedule with just comeback and his appearances on Master in the House will have him drawn thin. We’ve seen in the past how he’s struggled, both mentally and physically, with having a packed schedule and being away from the rest of the members of ASTRO for extended periods of time. Korean aroha are urging his schedule to be lighter so as not to burden him.

Here are a few of my translations of some of the top tweets using the hashtags on Twitter. These are more to capture the spirit of the tweets rather than be a word-for-word translation, as this is easier for me to write. However, the messages of these tweets are the same.

Source. “Even if the adaptation [of the comic] develops into something completely different from the original, the original material itself is not something that can have a positive impact on society with just a little adaptation. Also, the controvery over the original webcomic will deal a huge blow to the current image and reputation of Eunwoo.”

Source. “This is the problem with the writer who displayed [the main character] in this way, the person who is making this into a drama...” (The original tweet contains photos of screenshots from the webcomic that portray the main character, who is a minor.)

Source. “You’ve chosen a work that displays [Eunwoo’s] looks... Stop the original webcomics. It’s a look that everybody knows. Even if you keep emphasizing [his looks], his negative [reputation] will only grow bigger. Please choose a role that fits a 24 year old.”

Source. “Don’t think about ruining Cha Eunwoo’s fimography... And think well about the production company making this webcomic. In the time we’re living in, girls and women don’t smile at webcomics and webdramas like this.”

[djjiahn]

Get To Know Me Tag

Tagged by: @frogsaviour

I've done this tons of times already but *shrugs* I love being tagged in things lol

Rules: answer the questions and tag 15 people

Nickname: Joon, Joonie Toons, Taeby, Honeybee, Wiggley, Bace, Ethanol and a few others.

Gender: Meh.

Astrology signs: All I know is Capricorn?

Height: 165cm

Sexuality: Ace

Hogwarts house: Ravenclaw

Favourite animal: See, now this question is just rude. How could I possibly pick just one? What if the other animals that didn't get picked see and get sad? How could I do that to them OnO

Average hours of sleep: Usually from 11:30pm - 8:30am if I'm lucky.

# of blankets you sleep with: Uh...3? But I only cover up with 1 of them.

Dream trip: Either Scotland, Korea, or Japan. They have some of my favourite landscapes and I'd love to be able to see them in person and just...experience it all you know?

Dream job: Don't have one.

When you made this account: August 17th 2017 apparently?

Follower count: 131 I think?

Relationship status: Single.

Favourite colour: Green and Pink.

Lipstick or chapstick: Neither.

3 favourite foods: Uh...food and me don't really get along most of the time but things I can usually handle are Strawberry & Banana smoothies, apple slices and peanut butter, and fries.

Song stuck in my head: Killing Me - iKon

Top 3 Tv shows: Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Missing9, and My ID Is Gangnam Beauty.

A book you’re currently reading: N/A

Last thing you googled: 'Kim Jongdae Birthday'...cus I forgot what day it was on.

Time: 6:27pm

I'll tag two people how about that?

Tagging: @astros-turf , @theviewfromthebirdsnest

[broke-mutlifan]

How can you not lol they are cute but also idiots. Also how are you today. Oooh what are you favorite shows? ~🐬

My doing great!!!🥰 How is your day going?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My favorite shows:

♡ My hero Academia

♡Friends

♡My id is gangnam beauty

These are a few that I think of at the top of my head lol

What are some of yours?

[tenthhdoctor]

Pangeasplits did this but didn’t tag anyone so I’m doing it because I can and they’re awesome.

1. Relationship Status:

NOTHING

2. Chapstick or Lipstick:

If I had to pick, chapstick - I don’t use either though.

3. Three Favorite Foods:

Pizza, eggs cooked literally any way, and any form of pasta dish.

4. Song Stuck in your head:

ODD FUTURE BY UVERworld IT’S SO GOOD I CAN SING LIKE HALF OF IT AFTER PRACTICING FOR LIKE ALMOST AN HOUR

(My Hero Academia/Boku no Hero Academia S2 Opening Song #1)

5. Last Movie you Watched:

Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse, but I’m watching Incredibles 2 right now so idk

6. Top Three Shows:

1. DIAMOND NO ACE FOREVER

2. Kill me Heal me ;___;

3. Uhh crap better choose an english show hmmmMMMMMM OH! ‘DEAD LUCKY’ IT WAS AWESOME (it’s aussie so maybe no one will know it but it was so good even though it only had like 4 episodes).

7. Book I’m currently reading:

Technically I guess I’m still reading Princess Wei Yang but it translates pretty slowly.

8. The Last Thing I Googled:

'spiderverse’ because I couldn’t remember the full title haha

9. Time:

8:15 pm

10. Dream Trip:

A 3 week holiday in Japan, doing the whole tourist thing and eating a LOAD of Japanese food. Visiting the popular places. Buying loads of anime/manga stuff. fEEDING DEER!

11. Anything else:

okay hear me out: while I only watched 2 episodes of My ID is Gangnam beauty, I think it’s fair to say that the main female lead was bland. She followed the senior who was creepily coming onto her, but I admit you can feel like you have to be polite and it was literally her first time at the university, but then she follows him into an empty loungeroom and does not try to leave even when he gets up and locks the door. She just...stands there and does nothing. She looks mildly distressed, but she doesn’t try to do anything. Idk if I’m taking a ‘victim blaming’ mentality or whatever, but frick she had loads of chances to just make an attempt to not be in that unsafe situation and like come on you go into a room with a guy you barely know who was lowkey coming onto you while! you! were! drunk(?) and you just stand there until you have to be saved by the main male lead whose 1 (one) facial expression is ‘blank stare’  and even then you just stand there like a dead-eyed fish and just barely say ANYTHING AND THEN IN THE NEXT EP YOU’RE CONSIDERING DATING THE CREEPY SENIOR? WHAT THE FR-

Rules: Tag 15 people you want to know better Nah. If you see this and wanna do it, go for it!