Promising New K-Drama Disappoints With “Hard-To-Watch” Fatphobia 

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Content Warning

This article includes descriptions of dieting, body image issues, or eating disorders that may trigger some readers.

Spoiler Alert

This article reveals plot details of a current movie or series.

Earlier this month, the K-Drama series The Atypical Family began to air on television, in addition to being added to Netflix‘s catalog.

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| JTBC

The show held a new and exciting premise for a K-Drama, telling the story of a super-powered family losing their abilities due to life issues. For example, Jang Ki Yong‘s character, Bok Gwi Ju, can no longer go back in time and visit happy memories following the death of his wife.

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Jang Ki Yong as Bok Gwi Ju | JTBC

Claudia Kim also appears in this drama as Bok Gwi Ju’s sister, who can no longer fly due to her obesity.

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Claudia Kim as Bok Dong Hee | JTBC

Many struggle with obesity and the health issues it can present, along with eating disorders; however, the series’ handling of it has disappointed many viewers and turned them off.

In the first episode, Bok Dong Hee is introduced with Claudia Kim wearing a less-than-impressive body suit as the family members attempt to use their gifts.

Screenshot 2024-05-21 at 3.59.09 PM
| Netflix

Later in the episode, Dong Hee gets put on leave from her job after a button breaks on her outfit, causing it to hit a potential client in the face. Immediately after this stressor, she goes to get food where her credit card declines, though she has already began eating.

| Netflix
| Netflix
| Netflix

These instances can be considered as showing some stereotypes about those that are obese, including the physical “sloppiness” many assume overweight people have. Dong Hee’s manner of eating is also the result of stereotypes about larger people.

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Many were less than impressed with how Bok Dong Hee’s issue seemed to be made into a punchline. Some were less than impressed with the fat suit, expressing they understood a dramatic change would occur but that it could have been executed better.

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Following the second week of episodes, some were still not satisfied with Dong Hee’s storyline being so literal, even as in later episodes she seems to be losing weight as a solution to her problem.

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The series’ first half has completed airing, and only time will tell what direction the character will end up going.

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