200 Pounds Beauty (2006)

Introduction

The story of "200 Pounds Beauty" is based on a comic of Suzuki Yumiko, and concerning its basic idea it has all the ingredients for some nice laughs. These, most of the time, are related to what effect Jenny's/Hanna's inferiority complex and as the film progresses female protagonists became a symbol of inferiority. Han-na (Kim Ah-jung) is blessed with a great singing voice (http://www.listal.com/movie/minyeoneun-goerowo-2006). But her inferiority complex made her weak. It's just that, with her overweight body, she is not exactly what Korean pop culture is looking for. That's the reason why she sings behind the stage for pop star Ammy. Therefore, the basic aim of this research is to find what type of message 200 Pounds Beauty conveys regarding the society obsessed with appearance. At the same time, how 200 Pounds Beauty portraying the female protagonists with inferiority complex.

Analysis

200 Pounds Beauty is a real shadow of female protagonist with inferiority complex. From the starting, this movie shows Hanna's insecurity due to her inferiority complex. She always thought that because of her looks she has a low self-esteem; however, the words of Sang-jun (Joo Jin-mo), Ammy's producer, keep her from losing faith in herself. He doesn't seem to care about her appearance and is just impressed by her singing talent. Han-na falls in love with him, yet it proves to be an unrequited love when she finds out by accident that Sang-jun talks about her looks in a derogative manner, too. For Han-na a world crashes into pieces.

At first, Han-na thinks about suicide, but then she comes to a drastic conclusion (http://www.listal.com/movie/minyeoneun-goerowo-2006). She is going to let herself be completely remodelled by plastic surgery. For one year, she vanishes from the face of the earth, which at the same time means that pop star Ammy has no one to sing her songs anymore, because Ammy herself doesn't strike one single note right. Han-na then re-emerges as Jenny, a slim and beautifully looking woman. She gets an audition at Sang-jun's studio, who for his part is still looking for a replacement for Han-na. Being blown away by her voice Sang-jun is determined to make Jenny the next superstar. Moreover, Jenny has finally the chance to engage into a romantic relationship with Sang-jun. However, Ammy seems to have gotten behind Jenny's little secret and wants to ruin her career before it has even begun to bear any fruits.

There is made fun of Korea's obsession with beauty on every occasion. Men think that it's ok for women to undergo plastic surgery as long as it isn't your own girlfriend, and pop culture is full of big-eyed, perfectly slim and tanned idols. That this may also have its disadvantages is shown for instance when Sang-jun wants to get a little bit more intimate with Jenny, who then realizes that everything of her body is artificial and could be brought "out of place" if touched. The way Korea's beauty craze is made fun of is very refreshing and without a doubt ...