Mask Girl (Vietnamese title: Cô gái mang mặt nạ) premiered on August 18. The film, rated 18+, quickly captivated audiences in several countries, including Vietnam. The psychological thriller revolves around the life of a livestreaming star who struggles with her dual identity, contrasting her perfect online persona with her grim reality.
India Express has noted that Cô gái mang mặt nạ is the successor to Squid Game, creating significant buzz in the entertainment industry. Recently, Korean films have focused on exploring complex relationships, with Vinh quang trong thù hận still resonating after the massive success of Squid Game.
Not only limited to Vietnam, Mask Girl has also climbed to the top of charts in multiple countries.
Cô gái mang mặt nạ centers on Kim Mo Mi, a girl who works an office job by day and becomes a masked performer at night, using the anonymity of the internet to make extra money. She grapples with her hidden self, constantly haunted by her past.
During the day, Kim Mo Mi interacts with fans, receiving compliments for her natural beauty, yet she struggles internally with feelings of inadequacy and thoughts like, “Is it better to be beautiful or to be a good person?”
After being rejected, Kim Mo Mi’s persona takes a dark turn. Under pressure, she begins to spiral into a world of violence, eventually becoming involved in a murder case, which leads her to confront her true self.
As the plot unfolds, Kim Mo Mi navigates her relationships, contributing to the film’s exploration of the darker side of human nature. Notably, she does not shy away from taking drastic measures against those who threaten her.
The story of a girl hiding behind a mask transforms into a tale of revenge, as she seeks to reclaim her dignity and confront her enemies, which ultimately leads to her own moral downfall.
The film’s plot is enriched by the character of Kim Mo Mi, portrayed through three different stages of her life, as experienced by three different actresses: Lee Han Byul (the ugly girl), Nana (the beautiful girl after cosmetic surgery), and Go Hyun Jung (the middle-aged woman who has lost everything).
According to Mydaily, Mask Girl captivates audiences due to its exploration of societal issues in South Korea, particularly the obsession with physical appearance and the extreme lengths to which individuals will go to achieve their ideals. Additionally, the film delves into themes of love and revenge, as Kim Mo Mi seeks redemption through her tumultuous journey.
