Mask Girl (Korean: 마스크걸) is a 2023 South Korean black comedy crime thriller television series written and directed by Kim Yong-hoon, and starring Lee Han-byeol, Nana, Go Hyun-jung, Ahn Jae-hong, and Yeom Hye-ran.[3] It is based on the Naver webtoon of the same name by Mae-mi and Hee-se, which was published between 2015 and 2018.[4] It was released on Netflix on August 18, 2023.[5][6][7]
| Mask Girl | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 마스크걸 |
| Revised Romanization | Maseukeugeol |
| McCune–Reischauer | Masŭk'ŭgŏl |
| Genre | |
| Based on | Mask Girl by Mae-mi and Hee-se |
| Developed by | Song Sang-beom (planning) |
| Written by | Kim Young-hoon |
| Directed by | Kim Young-hoon |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Jang Young-kyu |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 7 |
| Production | |
| Producers |
|
| Running time | 51–65 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | August 18, 2023 |
Synopsis
editKim Mo-mi, an office worker who is insecure about her looks, becomes a masked internet personality by night—until a chain of unexpected, ill-fated events begins to overtake her life.
Cast
editMain
edit- Lee Han-byeol as Kim Mo-mi/Mask Girl (in 2009, before surgery)[1]
- Nana as Kim Mo-mi/A-reum (after plastic surgery)[8]
- Go Hyun-jung as Kim Mo-mi/No. 1047 (in 2023)[9]
- Ahn Jae-hong as Joo Oh-nam: an ordinary office worker who is Mo-mi's co-worker and Mask Girl's regular viewer whom he admires[1]
- Yeom Hye-ran as Kim Kyung-ja: Oh-nam's overprotective mother who seeks revenge against Mo-mi[1]
Supporting
edit- Park Jung-hwa as Lee A-reum: Mo-mi's colleague[10]
- Choi Daniel as Park Gi-hoon: Mo-mi's boss[11]
- Kim Min-seo as Kim Ye-chun: Mo-mi's best friend
- Moon Sook as Sim Young-hee: Mo-mi's mother[12]
- Shin Ye-seo as Kim Mi-mo: Oh-nam and Mo-mi's daughter[13]
- Han Jae-yi as Kim Chun-ae: Mo-mi's best friend
- Kim Ga-hee as Yoo Sang-soon: Mo-mi's colleague
- Lee Soo-mi as Ahn Eun-suk[14]
- Jang Won-young as Manager Kim[15]
- Lee Seon-hee as Chief Oh: a prison warden[16]
- Lee Jun-young as Choi Bu-yong: Chun-ae's boyfriend in a special appearance[17]
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Kim Mo-mi" | Kim Young-hoon | Kim Young-hoon | August 18, 2023 | |
|
Kim Mo-mi grew up with dreams of becoming a pop star, but was thwarted by her plain looks. By day, she works in an office, and by night she runs a popular livestream channel where she wears a mask and performs as "Mask Girl". Mo-mi's life is upended when she discovers that Park Gi-hoon, her boss and the man whom she has feelings for, is having an affair with another co-worker, Lee A-reum. Mo-mi's popularity plummets after she loses her livestream and confesses her woes to a regular Mask Girl viewer, unaware he is her co-worker, Ju Oh-nam. | |||||
| 2 | "Ju Oh-nam" | Kim Young-hoon | Kim Young-hoon | August 18, 2023 | |
|
Ju Oh-nam is a loner and a regular viewer of Mask Girl's channel, recognizing her to be Kim Mo-mi based on her hands. Oh-nam falls in love with Mo-mi, but is unable to express his feelings. Mo-mi meets a Mask Girl's obsessive fan who tries to rape her, but he is knocked out in a scuffle. Oh-nam comes to Mo-mi's aid; he kills the man and disposes of the body. Traumatized by her experiences, Mo-mi abruptly quits her job and undergoes plastic surgery, exasperating Oh-nam. Oh-nam rapes Mo-mi, and Mo-mi stabs him to death. | |||||
| 3 | "Kim Kyung-Ja" | Kim Young-hoon | Kim Young-hoon | August 18, 2023 | |
|
Kim Kyung-ja is Oh-nam's overbearing mother, who struggled to raise him as a single parent. When Oh-nam becomes uncontactable, Kyung-ja has the police break into his apartment, where they find the remains of Oh-nam's victim. Later, the police also find Oh-nam's remains in a suitcase. Kyung-ja believes that Mo-mi, who has been revealed to the public to be Mask Girl, is Oh-nam's murderer, and vows revenge. Kyung-ja's investigation leads her to a woman named Kim Chun-ae, whom she kidnaps. Chun-ae insists that she is not Mo-mi, but claims to know her. | |||||
| 4 | "Kim Chun-ae" | Kim Young-hoon | Kim Young-hoon | August 18, 2023 | |
|
Kim Chun-ae convinces Kyung-ja that Mo-mi is her rival at the club they work at, and offers to help Kyung-ja get her revenge. In reality, Chun-ae and Mo-mi have become close friends as they grew up similarly ostracized, and had plastic surgery in order to start new lives. Mo-mi helps Chun-ae kill her abusive live-in partner, and the pair make their escape. Mo-mi reveals to Chun-ae that she is pregnant. They are confronted by Kyung-ja, and in the melee, Kyung-ja shoots Chun-ae, and Chun-ae bludgeons Kyung-ja's head before dying. Mo-mi dumps the bodies in a lake. Some time later, Mo-mi is arrested. | |||||
| 5 | "Kim Mi-mo" | Kim Young-hoon | Kim Young-hoon | August 18, 2023 | |
|
Kim Mi-mo is Mo-mi and Oh-nam's daughter. As a baby, Mi-mo was given to her grandmother shortly before Mo-mi surrendered to the police and was sent to prison. Growing up, Mi-mo is bullied for being Mask Girl's daughter, and becomes a loner who lashes out. At a new school, Mi-mo befriends Ye-chun, a compulsive liar who is also a loner. The pair plan to run away together. Mi-mo overhears that the other students have learned that she is the daughter of Mask Girl; Mi-mo beats up Ye-chun, assuming that she told everyone. However, the info was spread by Kyung-ja, who is still alive. | |||||
| 6 | "Kim Mo-mi" | Kim Young-hoon | Kim Young-hoon | August 18, 2023 | |
|
In prison, Mo-mi initially antagonizes An Eun-suk, a prisoner with powerful connections. Years later, an older Mo-mi receives a letter from Kyung-ja that contains a news article about Mi-mo's troubled life; Mo-mi attempts to escape but fails. After over a month in solitary confinement, Mo-mi seemingly turns over a new leaf and offers to donate her kidney to Eun-suk's daughter, who needs it. Kyung-ja, who has had plastic surgery, meets Mo-mi and tells her about how she befriended Mi-mo, repeatedly sabotaged her life, and intends for Mo-mi to feel the same pain of the loss of a child. | |||||
| 7 | "Mi-mo and Mo-mi" | Kim Young-hoon | Kim Young-hoon | August 18, 2023 | |
|
Mi-mo runs away to live with Kyung-Ja, who is surprised when Mi-mo treats her lovingly. Despite having second thoughts, Kyung-ja sets Mi-mo up to suffocate to death in front of a camera. Mo-mi is taken to the hospital for the kidney transfer and escapes. Mo-mi, Ye-chun, and Mi-mo's grandmother individually race to Kyung-ja's house. The trio arrive in time to save Mi-mo, but Kyung-ja stabs Mi-mo's grandmother, who bleeds to death. After the police arrive, Kyung-ja tries to shoot Mi-mo, but Mo-mi sacrifices herself and dies in Mi-mo's arms while Kyung-ja is shot by the police and dies. Afterwards, Mi-mo is adopted by Ye-chun's parents, and her outlook on life improves. Mi-mo watches a childhood video of Mo-mi, who performs a dance and says that her dream is to be "loved by everyone". | |||||
Accolades
edit| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards | 2024 | Best Supporting Actor | Ahn Jae-hong | Won | [18] |
| Best Supporting Actress | Yeom Hye-ran | Won | |||
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2024 | Best Supporting Actor | Ahn Jae-hong | Won | [19] |
| Best Supporting Actress | Yeom Hye-ran | Won | |||
| Best New Actress | Lee Han-byeol | Nominated | [20] | ||
| Blue Dragon Series Awards | 2024 | Best Drama | Mask Girl | Nominated | [21][22] |
| Best Supporting Actor | Ahn Jae-hong | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Yeom Hye-ran | Nominated | |||
| Critics' Choice Awards | 2024 | Best Foreign Language Series | Mask Girl | Nominated | [23] |
| Seoul International Drama Awards | 2024 | Best Actress | Yeom Hye-ran | Won | [24] |
| Best Actor | Ahn Jae-hong | Won |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Moon Ji-yeon (February 3, 2022). [공식] 고현정의 파격 변신..'마스크걸' 안재홍·염혜란 라인업 확정 [[Official] Go Hyun-jung's shocking transformation... 'Mask Girl' Ahn Jae-hong and Yeom Hye-ran lineup confirmed]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022 – via Naver.
- ^ a b "Director of Netflix series 'Mask Girl' explores dark crevices of human nature". The Korea Times. August 23, 2023. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ 다크서클 고현정·정수리 탈모 안재홍...'마스크걸' 싱크로율 무슨 일? [엑's 이슈] [Dark circles Goh Hyun-jung, hair loss Ahn Jae-hong... What is the match rate of 'Mask Girl'? [X's issue]]. Xports News (in Korean). July 25, 2023. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ 넷플릭스 '마스크걸', 원작과 차이?...웹툰 재조명 [Netflix's 'Mask Girl', difference from the original?... Reexamining the webtoon]. Top Star News (in Korean). August 19, 2023. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- ^ Kim Kyung-hee (February 3, 2022). '지푸라기' 김용훈 감독, 고현정, 안재홍, 염혜란과 넷플릭스 '마스크걸' 제작 ['Straw' Director Kim Yong-hoon, Ko Hyun-jung, Ahn Jae-hong, Yeom Hye-ran, and Netflix's 'Mask Girl' production]. MBC Entertainment (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ Kim Ji-won (January 17, 2023). '더글로리' 파트2→'D.P.' 시즌2...넷플릭스, 올해 한국 작품 28편 공개 ['The Glory' Part 2 → 'DP' Season 2... Netflix to release 28 Korean titles this year]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ Jung Tae-yoon (July 20, 2023). 고현정X나나, 2인 1역...'마스크걸', 8월 18일 공개 [Go Hyun-jung X Nana, 2 people 1 role... 'Mask Girl', released on August 18th]. Dispatch (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Kim Na-young (May 3, 2022). 고현정·나나 '마스크걸' 동시 캐스팅...2인 1역 선보인다 [Simultaneous casting of Go Hyun-jung and Nana 'Mask Girl'... 2 person 1 station will be introduced]. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022 – via Naver.
- ^ 장, 우영. 마스크 쓴 이한별, 예쁜 나나, 무너진 고현정...'마스크걸' 오늘(18일) 공개. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ '마스크걸' 박정화, 시기 받을만한 미모. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Yoo Soo-kyung (May 6, 2022). [단독] 최다니엘, 넷플릭스 '마스크걸' 출연... '열일' 시동 [[Exclusive] Daniel Choi to appear in Netflix's 'Mask Girl'...]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022 – via Naver.
- ^ '마스크걸' 문숙→박정화, 이야기 꽉 채운 신스틸러. entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- ^ Ahn, Byung-gil (September 4, 2023). 마스크걸' 모미 딸 신예서, 염혜란과 한솥밥[공식] [Mask Girl' Momi's daughter Shin Ye-seo, Yeom Hye-ran and Hanokbap [Official]]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ 스타들은 추석에 뭐할까? 전도연→홍진영이 전한 추석 인. Daily Sports. October 18, 2023.
- ^ 윤, 기백. 장원영, 넷플릭스 '마스크걸' 신스틸러 맹활약. entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- ^ Jang, Woo-young (August 25, 2023). 밀수'→'콘유'→'마스크걸'...화제작 속엔 '이선희'가 있다 ['Smuggling' → 'Kon Yu' → 'Mask Girl'... The buzz is about 'Lee Sun-hee] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Kang Hyo-jin (November 10, 2022). [단독]이준영, 넷플릭스 '마스크걸' 특별출연...'열일' 행보ing [[Exclusive] Jun-Young Lee to make a special appearance on Netflix's 'Mask Girl'... 'Working hard']. SPOTV News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022 – via Naver.
- ^ Merican, Sara (October 6, 2024). "Wong Kar-wai's 'Blossoms Shanghai,' Coupang Play's 'Boyhood' Take Top Prizes At Asia Contents Awards". Deadline. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ Lee, Seung-hoon (May 7, 2024). '무빙'→'서울의 봄' 대상..'파묘'는 4관왕 [제60회 백상예술대상][종합] ['Moving' → 'Seoul Spring' Grand Prize..'Buried Grave' wins 4 awards [60th Baeksang Arts Awards] [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Hwang, So-young (April 8, 2024). 60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개 [60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Moon, Ji-yeon (June 24, 2024). [공식] '무빙'·'SNL코리아' 최다 노미..제3회 청룡시리즈어워즈 후보 격돌 [[Official] 'Moving' and 'SNL Korea' most nominated..Candidates clash for the 3rd Blue Dragon Series Awards]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved June 26, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Park, Hyun-min (July 20, 2024). '무빙' 대상→신인상..3관왕! 임시완·박보영 남녀주연상 [제3회 청룡시리즈어워즈] | 하퍼스 바자 코리아 ['Moving' Grand Prize → Best Newcomer... Triple Crown! Im Si-wan and Park Bo-young Best Male and Female Leading Actor [3rd Blue Dragon Series Awards]]. Harper's Bazaar (in Korean). Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (December 5, 2023). "'The Morning Show' & 'Succession' lead Critics Choice Awards TV Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ Kim, Ji-ye (September 26, 2024). "Big screen stars claim small screen honors at Seoul International Drama Awards". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
