A thread: overview of mysogynistic attributes depicted in TB

Disclaimer
* This thread was written for the public good
* It is written assuming the reader is aware of core stroylines of TB
* No direct screenshots included from the webtoon as it may violate copyrights policy

* I DO NOT condone any personal attacks against the author of TB (I'll explain this further)

Major points

1. Setting beauty standards for women instead of advocating for resisting all judgment for women's body
2. Character growth relying on male validation
3. "여적여" - female rivarly
4. Sexualisation of minor characters

1. Beauty standard

In the 1st episode Jukyeong looks into the mirror and says "I'm a fine woman!", then takes her makeup off and says "..until I take my makeup off". (★) The comic clearly sets a standard abt what is a "fine woman" and not.

This cannot be considered as Jukyeong's personal standard as it aligns with current Korean beauty standards (i.e. hard to think of it as an enitrely fictional standard the author has made to prove a point later). Throughout the comic it also specifically mentions that

4. Sexualisation of minor characters

Almost all characters who are described "beautiful" in the webtoon are drawn in a way that unrealistically emphasises their breast and hips, especially for their age. These minor characters are often blatantly sexualised-

-on internet communities predominantly formed by Korean men. (★) This reinforces a standard to young girls of Korea who are already sexualised and exploited. This is a serious problem in Korea since sexualisation of minors are taken lightly and doesn't necessarily invoke-

2. Male validation and social acceptance

This is a continuation of the issues regarding the beauty standard. The essence of TB's plot is that Jukyeong, who is indeed 'ugly' underneath her makeup, meets male characters who find her attractive without it.

So far, the plot has been focused on daily interactions with these male characters with little substance to her own character development. Even her ambiguous journey for self-acceptance circles around this theme of male validation instead of truly accepting herself-

3. 여적여 - classic woman vs. woman rivarly

In the latest episode, a female character glares at Jukyeong and objectifies her by grading her skin, breast, and ass due to her jealousy for Jukyeong's popularity at school. This is highly unrealistic-

-and consistent with how Korean media portrays women. (★) This is a product of patriarchy which diminishes women as immature and "lower" beings who are bound to fight each other for male validation.

As an example, two female Koreans celebrities whose arguments were leaked to the media have been harshily condemned by netizens a few years ago. This depiction is hardly reflective of the reality of women forming sisterhood against the deeply rooted misogyny in Korea.