Plastic Beauty: A Dive into the World of Cosmetic Surgery
Currently available on Netflix, Plastic Beauty is a psychological medical drama from Japan, directed by Yuki Saito and penned by Junya Ikegami. It features Mayu Matsuoka and Riisa Naka as two skilled doctors who have clashing beliefs about medicine, leading to conflict in the cutthroat realm of cosmetic surgery. Their differing approaches spark a delve into ambition, mystery, and weighty subject matters.
Opening Shot: We’re greeted with vibrant scenes of Tokyo, advertisements for plastic surgery, and people reveling in the concept of physical beauty. This is juxtaposed with a doctor’s team diligently preparing a patient for surgery to provide the necessary care.
The Gist: Fumi Numata (played by Mayu Matsuoka) may have a bit of a rough bedside manner, but her incredible skill and strong ethical foundation drive her to give her all for her patients. However, when natural beauty influencer Kana Kokobun (Hina Kagei) arrives with an abscess beneath a silicone implant, Fumi decides to prioritize the patient’s health over Kana’s desire to keep the implants. Sadly, after the operation, Kana, devastated about losing the implant, takes her own life and blames Fumi, putting the doctor’s career in jeopardy.
In the background is Rin Tohyama (Riisa Naka), the revered director of the Tohyama Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, whose immense wealth and status make her almost untouchable. Fumi, undeterred, aims to dismantle Rin and her clinic to safeguard her family—her mother (Hiromi Nagasaku), step-father (Naozumi Masuko), and younger brother (Sosei Takeda)—from dangerous loan sharks. However, Rin’s influence prevents anyone from coming forward against her.
In her desperation, Fumi approaches aspiring voice actress Yoshiko Tanaka (Hana Amano), who witnessed Kana’s struggles at a lavish, cosmetic surgery-themed party. Unfortunately, Yoshiko declines to help, choosing instead to compromise her own values to gain the looks needed for success in the entertainment industry. Rin tightens her grip on Fumi, extending a job offer with the stipulation that Fumi abandon her principles to work in the demanding world of cosmetic enhancement, even promising to erase the family’s debts.
What Shows Will It Remind You Of? The themes in Plastic Beauty might recall shows like Nip/Tuck and Botched, while the dystopian aspects bring to mind the vibe of The Hunger Games, particularly regarding the societal dynamics in The Capitol.
Our Take: Plastic Beauty confronts audiences with its raw depiction of plastic surgery, societal expectations, and beauty standards. Spanning eight episodes of about an hour each, the series takes its time to explore uncomfortable topics and cosmetic procedures in a way that’s surprisingly genuine. The performances, particularly from a diverse cast, really compel you to grapple with some uncomfortable truths surrounding the beauty industry.
Even though the narrative is set in Tokyo, its themes feel relatable on a broader scale, despite existing in an almost surreal, dystopian setting. Some elements might appear exaggerated for a typical viewer. Still, the essential ideas about identity and societal pressures invite a deeper look into this thought-provoking series, which is worth checking out for those not deterred by graphic imagery or the emotional weight of its sometimes melodramatic plots, plus the need to read subtitles.
Performance Worth Watching: Hana Amano impressively portrays Yoshiko Tanaka, compellingly navigating a blend of ambition, sorrow, and duty that resonates deeply.
Sex And Skin: Expect some nudity, particularly in surgical contexts, alongside a brief and somewhat unsettling depiction of sexual intimacy in the first episode.
Parting Shot: Fumi runs after Rin’s car, frustrated as she struggles with the growing pressures to accept Rin’s career offer and the accompanying hush money.
Our Call: Plastic Beauty presents itself as a beautifully shot and well-acted exploration of the cosmetic surgery landscape. The series offers a story that’s undeniably more profound than mere surface-level allure. It’s an emotional journey into the intersection of beauty, medicine, and what it means to be human. Definitely worth a watch!
