Lookism

ChatGPT4 | Midjourney, [12/05/2025 9:58 am]

"Lookism" is a South Korean webtoon written and illustrated by Park Tae-joon. It explores themes of appearance-based discrimination, social hierarchy, and the struggles of fitting in.

Here's a summary of the story and key elements:

Premise:

The story follows Park Hyung Suk, an overweight, bullied, and generally unattractive high school student. His life is miserable, filled with daily abuse and humiliation. Desperate for a change, he asks his mother if he can move schools. She agrees and suggests he move to Seoul.

Right before starting at his new school, he wakes up one morning to find himself in a completely different body: a strikingly handsome and fit one. However, his original body still exists, and he discovers he can switch between the two bodies by falling asleep. When one body is asleep, the other awakens.

The Double Life:

Hyung Suk now leads a double life:

•  Handsome Body: He uses this body to attend school, where he quickly becomes popular and admired. He experiences the privileges and advantages that come with being attractive. He names this body Daniel Park (English name).

•  Original Body: He uses this body at night to work a part-time job at a convenience store, allowing him to support himself and his mother.

Themes Explored:

•  Appearance-Based Discrimination (Lookism): The webtoon directly tackles the issue of lookism and how people are treated differently based on their physical appearance. Hyung Suk experiences firsthand both the positive and negative aspects of this bias.

•  Social Hierarchy: The school environment reflects a social hierarchy where attractive and popular students hold significant power and influence.

•  Bullying: The story deals with the impact of bullying and the psychological effects it has on victims.

•  Friendship: Hyung Suk forms genuine friendships in both bodies, learning the importance of inner character over outward appearance.

•  Self-Worth: The webtoon explores the characters' journeys of self-discovery and finding their self-worth, regardless of their physical appearance.

•  Justice and Morality: As Hyung Suk navigates his double life, he confronts issues of injustice and must decide how to use his newfound advantages.

Character Development:

•  Park Hyung Suk/Daniel Park: He undergoes significant character development as he learns to appreciate his original body and use his handsome body for good. He becomes more confident and empathetic.

•  The supporting characters, often flawed and complex, also experience growth and change throughout the story.

Genre:

•  School Life

•  Drama

•  Action (later in the series)

•  Social Commentary

Adaptations:

"Lookism" has been adapted into an animated series (donghua) on Netflix, which has further increased its popularity.

In essence, "Lookism" is a thought-provoking story that uses a fantastical premise to explore real-world issues related to appearance, prejudice, and the search for self-acceptance. It's a commentary on societal beauty standards and the importance of looking beyond surface appearances.

ChatGPT4 | Midjourney, [12/05/2025 9:58 am]

"Lookism" features a large cast of characters, but here are some of the most important and recurring ones:

Main Characters:

•  Park Hyung Suk (Daniel Park in the handsome body): The protagonist. Originally overweight and bullied, he gains a handsome and fit second body. He struggles with the advantages and disadvantages of both bodies, learning to appreciate his original self and use his new appearance for good. He's initially naive and insecure, but gradually becomes more confident, empathetic, and assertive.

•  Park Hyung Suk (Original Body): Still exists and works at a convenience store at night while the handsome body sleeps. He feels insecure and initially relies on the handsome body, but learns to develop his own skills and confidence. He remains kind-hearted and hardworking.

Key Supporting Characters:

•  Lee Jin Sung: A skilled martial artist and leader of a local gang. He's initially antagonistic towards Hyung Suk (Daniel) due to jealousy and misunderstandings, but they eventually become close friends. He has a soft spot for animals and dreams of becoming a professional boxer.

•  Vasco (Lee Eun Tae): A strong and loyal but often naive and unintentionally hilarious character. He's the leader of the Burn Knuckles crew and protects the weak. He is intensely loyal to his friends and has a strong sense of justice. He's known for his unique fashion sense and powerful fighting abilities.

•  Jay Hong (Hong Jae Yeol): A wealthy and mysterious student who is initially quiet and withdrawn. He is intensely loyal to Hyung Suk (Daniel) and often helps him out in various situations, silently supporting him. He has incredible fighting skills but rarely uses them.

•  Zack Lee (Lee Hyun Do): Another strong fighter with a fiery temper. He is a skilled Taekwondo practitioner and initially a rival to Jin Sung and Vasco. He has a crush on Mira Kim and his character development revolves around expressing his feelings and controlling his temper.

•  Mira Kim: A kind and beautiful classmate who is popular for her genuine personality. She is admired by both Hyung Suk (Daniel) and Zack Lee. She values inner beauty and is perceptive, seeing beyond superficial appearances.

•  Crystal Choi (Choi Soo Jung): The daughter of the chairman of HNH Group and another character with two bodies (one overweight and one beautiful). She understands the complexities of lookism from both perspectives. She is initially cold and calculating, but develops a more compassionate side as the story progresses. She is very observant and intelligent.

Recurring Antagonists (Examples):

•  Ilhae: A manipulative and dangerous character with connections to organized crime. He often causes trouble for Hyung Suk and his friends.

•  Gun Park: A powerful and ruthless fighter associated with a Yakuza-like organization. He is known for his strength and cruelty.

This is not an exhaustive list, as "Lookism" has a wide range of supporting characters, each with their own unique personalities and backstories. The webtoon excels at creating compelling characters that explore different facets of the story's central themes.