Get_Famous
Cheat Code # 1
In the era of our digital age, few things hold as much significance for the crowds as social currency. Nowadays, influential personalities on social media possess a cultural capital that can rival, if not surpass, the fame of traditional movie stars and pop icons from the past. Step into the realm of these postmodern luminaries with Netflix’s latest K-drama, “Celebrity,” where you can see a journey into their world—a world that showcases not only the status and prestige of these self-marketing Gurus but also sheds light on the shallow and superficial aspects of influencer culture.
Following Follower
Cheat Code # 2
The series’ main character is Seo A-ri (played by Park Gyu-young), a once-privileged young woman who now leads a modest life as a door-to-door saleswoman for affordable cosmetics. She finds contentment in her simple offline existence until a fateful encounter with her high school friend Oh Min-hye (portrayed by Jun Hyo-seong), who has become a renowned influencer, alters the course of her life.
Likes
Cheat Code # 3
Through Min-hye, A-ri catches a fleeting glimpse of the wealthy lifestyle enjoyed by internet celebrities – lavish parties, wasteful goods, luxurious residences, and the admiration of countless strangers. This newfound exposure to the world of social media fame and fortune sets A-ri on a captivating journey of self-discovery and temptation, as she wrestles with the attraction of this glamorous but seemingly superficial universe.
Let’s Connect
Cheat Code # 4
Beyond the attraction of wealth and fame, A-ri finds herself entangled in the less glamorous and ugly aspects of being a public figure. Witnessing her former classmate and her group of mean girl influencers embroiled in a petty online feud, she’s taken aback by the disloyalty and shallowness lurking beneath their seemingly friendly façades. Despite being repelled by this artificiality, A-ri’s mother, burdened by their working-class status after her husband’s business failure, urges her to seize the opportunity and improve their circumstances. Succumbing to her mother’s pressure, A-ri reluctantly creates her first Instagram account, setting in motion an unexpected and rapid ascent to becoming one of South Korea’s most prominent influencers.
Life is unfair
Cheat Code # 5
Spill the tea
Cheat Code #6
The majority of the series unfolds through intriguing flashbacks, chronicling A-ri’s journey from riches to rags and back to riches as she skilfully leverages the connections she forged with Min-hye to enhance her online presence. However, “Celebrity” takes a captivating twist with the use of a clever framing device—a no-holds-barred confessional livestream set in the present day. In this stream, A-ri fearlessly exposes the narcissism of her peers while promising her viewers a “cheat code” to emulate their influencer lifestyle. What makes this even more riveting is the early revelation that, in the present day, A-ri is believed to be dead!
The world they live in
Cheat # 7
As A-ri appears alive and well during the live stream, her followers and fellow influencers are left in utter shock and disbelief. The mystery deepens when she teasingly hints at disclosing the identity of the person responsible for her presumed “murder.” This shocking revelation sends ripples through the digital world, leaving everyone hanging on to every word of her intriguing and enigmatic confessional. With each passing moment, the series delves deeper into a web of secrets, lies, and unexpected turns, leaving the audience enthralled and eager to uncover the truth behind A-ri’s astonishing present-day existence.
The world we live in
Cheat Code # 8
Despite its intriguing premise, “Celebrity” suffers from a significant drawback as it takes an excessively long time to drive home its rather obvious messages. While the social commentary on classism and capitalism holds validity, much of the criticism it presents lacks surprise or novelty. Moreover, the characters in the series are portrayed in a shallow and one-dimensional manner, even when the plot explores their insecurities.
Turn the table
Cheat Code # 9
Nevertheless, “Celebrity” remains binge-worthy due to its eye-opening exposé of contemporary fame and its skillful incorporation of a gripping whodunnit element. The strength of the series lies in the outstanding performances of its talented young actors, which help hold the narrative together despite its shortcomings. In the end, viewers may find themselves engrossed in the show’s exploration of the dark side of modern celebrity culture, despite its occasional missteps and lack of narrative conciseness.
Like you and Me
Cheat Code # 10
