On-the-nose critique of South Korea’s beauty industry
Writer: Lee Han-bin
Director: Cho Kyung-hun
Starring: Moon Nam-sook, Jang Min-hyuk, Cho Hyun-jung, Kim Bo-young
Beauty Water is a haunting animated horror critiquing South Korea’s plastic surgery industry. When Yae-ji learns of a tonic that can grant her a perfect body and looks, she will stop at nothing to maintain her newfound status.
Haunting consequences
At first, the magic water seems to grant Yae-ji her deepest desires, but there’s a catch. She learns she will need a steady stream of Beauty Water to maintain her looks. When things go awry she turns to more and more desperate measures–emptying her savings, sacrificing her parents, and ultimately murder.
A chilling twist
As soon as you believe that Yae-ji has learned her lesson and will live happily ever after a chilling twist is revealed. You might see it coming, you might not.
Shortcomings
I found the critique to be a little on-the-nose, but overall the story was interesting and had a truly terrifying twist.
Beauty Water shines a haunting light on the desperation for perfection.
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