Lim Ju Gyeong’s Social Masks in True Beauty

Stephanie Devina (Petra Christian University)
Jenny Mochtar (Petra Christian University)

Kata Kita: Journal of Language, Literature, and Teaching
Vol 10, No 3 (2022)

The use of social masks can help a person to meet certain societal standards. In True Beauty, the main character, Lim Ju Gyeog uses cosmetics and fashion as her social masks to fulfill Korean beauty and fashion standards. By achieving the standards, Ju Gyeong is being socially accepted and admired. Ju Gyeong’s social masks take the roles as her self-protection against her fear and to boost her self-esteem to value her worth.Ju Gyeong is considered to be beautiful and fashionable because she is able to meet the societal standards of beauty and fashion. The meaning of beauty and fashionable are fluids that can be different from one place to the other. The use of social masks brings impact to a wearer’s life.