Lookism is a popular Korean webtoon that was recently adapted into an anime series by Netflix. The 8-episode first season covers the story up to around chapter 26 of the original webtoon. At its core, Lookism explores the themes of bullying, self-identity, and the impact of physical appearances on social interactions.
1. Plot Summary
The story centers around an overweight high school student named Park Hyeong-seok who is severely bullied at school for his looks. After transferring to a new school, he mysteriously wakes up one day in an athletic and handsome body in addition to his original unattractive one.
Hyeong-seok discovers he can switch between controlling these two bodies, using his handsome incarnation to attend school while working a part-time job at night in his unattractive form. This double life allows Hyeong-seok to experience drastically different social treatment depending on his looks.
2. ‘Lookism’ Ending Explained
In the finale episode, Hyeong-seok befriends another bullying victim named Pyeon Deok-hwa who aspires to become a rapper. Hyeong-seok recognizes Deok-hwa’s musical talent and composes a song to perform together at their school festival.
Their performance is a huge success, earning high praise from the audience and attention from a musical executive in attendance. The ending signifies Hyeong-seok utilizing his popularity and talents to uplift other bullying victims like himself.
3. Unanswered Questions from Season 1
The first season leaves some intriguing unresolved storylines for potential future seasons:
- The origin of Hyeong-seok’s second body is left completely unexplained. How did he mysteriously gain this second body and the ability to switch between them?
- A rich female student named Choi Soo-jung is revealed to potentially have the same body-switching ability as Hyeong-seok. Is there a connection between their abilities?
- Hyeong-seok’s newfound talents catch the interest of a famous musician named DG. Will this lead to a career in music for him and Deok-hwa?
4. Review For ‘Lookism’ Season 1
Lookism has garnered positive reviews from critics and viewers alike. On review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds an audience score of 94% based on over 100 user ratings.
Tackling the complex effects of bullying and societal biases in a relatable, thoughtful manner is praiseworthy. Viewers found Hyeong-seok’s journey to be emotional and inspiring. The show’s themes connected strongly with fans of the original webtoon.
The heavier societal commentaries felt surface-level at times. Nonetheless, Lookism makes for an entertaining and breezy anime binge that shines a light on critical modern issues.
Also Read: The Incredible True Story Behind the Film “True Spirit”
With its captivating visual style, resonant themes, and engaging characters, Lookism proves itself as a worthy adaptation that leaves fans eager for more. The story lends itself well to future seasons, making a season 2 renewal a likely possibility.
