My ID is Gangnam Beauty

My ID is Gangnam Beauty is a 16-episode romantic drama adapted from the popular Naver webtoon by Gi Maeng-gi. Directed by Choi Sung-bum and written by Choi Soo-young, the series explores the psychological and social ramifications of South Korea's intense aesthetic pressures through the lens of university life. The narrative centers on Kang Mi-rae, a young woman who endured severe childhood bullying due to her appearance and opts for extensive reconstructive plastic surgery before entering Korea University's Department of Chemistry.

Hoping for a quiet, ordinary life, Mi-rae quickly discovers that altering her physical appearance does not immediately cure deep-seated psychological trauma or systemic social scrutiny. In college, she is labeled a "Gangnam Beauty"—a derogatory term for someone with an artificial, cosmetically altered appearance. She crosses paths with Do Kyung-seok, an aloof, strikingly handsome former middle school classmate who sees past social facades, and Hyun Soo-ah, a seemingly sweet "natural beauty" who harbors covert envy and toxicity.

Over the course of its run, the drama shifts from an insecure protagonist's quest for superficial acceptance into a multidirectional examination of toxic aesthetic standards. As Mi-rae navigates budding romance, academic ambitions in the perfumery field, and toxic peer dynamics, she is forced to confront both her internal prejudices and the external culture that commodifies women's bodies.

The core thesis of My ID is Gangnam Beauty is that physical transformation cannot heal structural and internalized social trauma. The creators critique South Korea's entrenched lookism (외모지상주의), demonstrating how society traps individuals in a double bind: ostracizing those who fail to meet strict beauty ideals while ridiculing those who use cosmetic surgery to achieve them. True self-worth and healing emerge not from conforming to an external aesthetic gaze, but from reclaiming agency, deprogramming competitive vanity, and embracing interpersonal vulnerability.

Interpretations of the drama vary across different critical frameworks:

South Korea has one of the highest per-capita rates of cosmetic surgery globally, with the Gangnam district of Seoul serving as the commercial epicenter for aesthetic clinics. The slang term "Gangnam Unni" or "Gangnam Beauty" evolved as a pejorative trope describing women who undergo similar procedures (e.g., double eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, V-line jaw reduction), resulting in standardized facial aesthetics.

My ID is Gangnam Beauty aired during a period of growing public conversation surrounding lookism and mental health in South Korea. The drama was praised for bringing these sensitive topics into prime-time television, stimulating open discourse on body dysmorphia and patriarchal standards. Furthermore, the series catalyzed the industry trend of adapting webtoons that address modern youth realities.

Viewers and critics lauded the series for its progressive deconstruction of the "ugly duckling" trope, avoiding the simplistic idea that an external makeover resolves emotional trauma. Im Soo-hyang received widespread acclaim for her nuanced emotional performance, while Jo Woo-ri drew strong praise for portraying a layered antagonist.

Early reviews noted stiffness in Cha Eun-woo's acting delivery, though sentiment softened as his deadpan, protective demeanor settled into the role. Some viewers also observed that the pacing in the middle episodes occasionally leaned into conventional campus romance tropes. With solid ratings peaking near 6% on cable television—a strong result for JTBC's late-night Friday-Saturday slot—the drama remains a celebrated campus series that addressed societal taboos with tact and warmth.