Written and directed by Kim Young-hoon

Rating: ★★★★★

Well, if there’s one thing South Korean dramaturgy excels in, it’s revenge plots. Productions like “I Saw the Devil,” “Oldboy,” “Ballerina,” and many more attest to this. But what’s fascinating about this show is the sensation of free-falling with a parachute; you have no clue about the twists awaiting you or what’s happening at the moment. It’s that ‘what the heck is going on right now’ feeling…

It’s a series of unexpected and unfortunate events that consume each character. Kim Young-hoon’s exceptional writing and direction present the seven episodes as fragmented pieces of a larger puzzle. In a way, it reminded me of “Our Blues” in a very fond way. The narrative deliberately unfolds through the viewpoints of distinct characters, offering a refreshing and almost anthology-like approach for a K-Drama. This production diverges from conventional murder mystery or vengeance plot lines, heightening the thrill and suspense of the series.

“Mask Girl” serves as a masterclass of sharp satire and social commentary, tackling the objectification of woman’s head-on. It explores the way men often objectify women, leading to chaos. While people often misunderstand K-dramas as clichéd romances with predictable plots, “Mask Girl” breaks away from these stereotypes and offers a refreshing and thought-provoking perspective. With an excellent cast, Ahn Jae-hong’s performance stands out. His character’s development is impressive to witness.

Image courtesy of Netflix