LOOKISUM
Lookism:
The psychological burden of lookism is not limited to those who are marginalized by beauty standards. Even individuals who benefit from attractiveness may experience pressure to maintain their appearance, leading to fear of aging or loss of social value.
Lookism and Intersectionality
Lookism often intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as sexism, racism, ageism, and ableism. Beauty standards are frequently tied to gender expectations, favoring youth and specific body types, particularly for women. Similarly, racialized beauty ideals can marginalize individuals whose features do not align with dominant cultural norms.
People with disabilities or visible differences are especially vulnerable to appearance-based bias, facing both social stigma and limited representation. Understanding lookism requires recognizing how it overlaps with broader systems of inequality.
Challenging Lookism and Moving Forward
Addressing lookism requires both individual awareness and systemic change. On a personal level, individuals can challenge their own biases by questioning automatic judgments and valuing people for their character, abilities, and actions rather than appearance.
Institutions and organizations must also play a role by promoting diversity, implementing fair hiring practices, and reducing appearance-based standards that are unrelated to performance. Media creators have a responsibility to represent a wider range of bodies, faces, and identities in meaningful roles.
Education is key to dismantling lookism. Teaching media literacy, self-acceptance, and empathy from an early age can help future generations develop healthier perspectives on beauty and human value.
Conclusion
Lookism is a deeply ingrained yet often ignored form of discrimination that shapes social structures and personal experiences. By prioritizing appearance over character and ability, society perpetuates inequality and undermines human potential. Recognizing and challenging lookism is essential for creating a more just, inclusive, and compassionate world.
True worth is not measured by physical appearance, but by integrity, effort, empathy, and contribution.
Lookism: The Silent Discrimination Shaping Modern Society
Lookism is a subtle yet powerful form of discrimination where individuals are judged and treated differently based on their physical appearance. In modern society, outward looks often influence first impressions, social acceptance, and even professional opportunities, sometimes more than skills or character. Media, advertising, and social platforms continue to promote narrow beauty standards, reinforcing the idea that appearance equals worth. As a result, many people face unfair bias, lowered self-esteem, and limited opportunities simply because they do not fit these ideals. Recognizing and challenging lookism is essential for building a more fair, inclusive society that values people for their abilities, values, and actions rather than their looks.
LOOKISUM Simple Heading
Lookism is written and illustrated by Park Tae-joon (박태준), a South Korean manhwa artist and webtoon creator.
✍️ Author Introduction: Park Tae-joon
Park Tae-joon (박태준) is a renowned South Korean webtoon artist, writer, and entrepreneur, best known as the creator of the globally popular manhwa Lookism. He debuted in 2014 and gained international recognition for his unique storytelling that blends social commentary with action, drama, and realistic character development. As the founder of PTJ Comics, Park Tae-joon has created multiple successful webtoons that explore themes such as lookism, social inequality, identity, and personal growth, making him one of the most influential figures in modern webtoon culture.
Park Tae-joon’s Manhwa & Webtoon Works
Directly by Park Tae-joon (Author/Creator)
These are comic series he wrote or illustrated himself: lookism.fandom.com
Lookism — His most famous work, exploring appearance-based bias and society. Wikipedia
Viral Hit — Also known as How to Fight in some regions; an action/drama story. lookism.fandom.com
My Life as a Loser — Follows a formerly popular bully now living in a changed life. lookism.fandom.com
Show Me the Lucky-Chan! — School life and delinquent themed comic. lookism.fandom.com
Hannamdong K House — Romance-style series. lookism.fandom.com
The Real Anti-Smoking Campaign — A short themed manhwa about smoking awareness. lookism.fandom.com
Our Class Idol — Slice-of-life school comic. lookism.fandom.com
