“Mask Girl” is disturbing, but is a total work of art—from the meticulous production details and interior designs, to the script that switches from one character’s point-of-view to another while keeping the flow seamless, and the actors and actresses who were unafraid to show a different side as they take on unconventional roles with depth and a bit of insanity.
Ko Hyun Jung, Nana, and rookie actress Lee Han Byul all did a splendid job portraying Kim Mo Mi—an ordinary office worker who dreams of becoming a performer. However, due to her looks that is criticized by society and her own mother, Kim Mo Mi’s dreams couldn’t come to fruition. All three actresses clearly embodied her ruined dreams, numbness, and how she fought through her painfully led life. The changes in every Kim Mo Mi era made sense in a way that her experiences were extreme and traumatizing (leading to a bit of personality shift), without completely pivoting away from her core character.
Abstract, dark, and circles on revenge: The cinematography and directing of the series was able to showcase just how deranged the characters and the scenes are. The plot’s fast-paced nature—that lets you see a different picture from another character’s narrative each episode—is also what makes the show tempting to binge-watch. The way it deep dives into each showcased character’s mind and their backstory lets you understand (without the need to forgive) the way they act. It’s simply well-written, and has the right amount of plot twists to keep your interest.
If you’ve watched and liked “The Glory” but want something more intense, “Mask Girl” is worth a try. The drama, however, can be graphic, bloody and violent, and has a number of triggering scenes. Still, the series often challenges interpretations and tackles complex issues—mostly focusing on lookism. And how these issues that mostly start at home.
All in all, “Mask Girl” is unhinged yet brilliant. It’s a mystery thriller that doesn’t hold back. The series is unsettling, but also compelling. “Mask Girl” unmasked a genre that goes beyond the usual—what most Korean drama viewers are used to—while still keeping a sentimental side.
All 7 episodes of “Mask Girl” are now available on Netflix.
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
SA, Implied Self-Harm, Extreme Violence