Netflix's yet-to-be-released Korean movie Love Untangled is facing mounting criticism online for its depiction of beauty standards, particularly how it frames natural, textured hair.

The romantic drama, slated for release later this year, follows a young woman grappling with insecurity and loneliness—much of which is tied to her appearance, especially her naturally curly hair.

Early trailers and promotional content portray the character as overlooked and undesirable, with her curls symbolizing messiness and lack of self-care.

Her journey to acceptance reportedly includes a physical transformation in which she "tames" her hair to gain social validation.

That narrative has struck a nerve with many online viewers.

"the narrative of wavy/curly hair being messy, dirty, difficult to handle and an unlovable feature in the year of 2025... i thought we had moved past this" one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter)

Critics have also pointed out how common such beauty tropes remain in Korean media, with several commenters arguing that the portrayal reflects broader issues in Korean beauty culture.

Including the persistent idealization of straight, silky hair as the standard of femininity and attractiveness.

"South korea the most technologically advanced society but pretend to be uneducated about literally everything," another viral post read, highlighting the contrast between modern innovation and outdated cultural narratives.

Others have defended the film, pointing out that Love Untangled is set in 1998 — a time before the internet and globalized beauty education — and that the main character lives in a remote coastal town.

Supporters argue that the story reflects a coming-of-age experience rooted in real insecurity and isolation.

"? this is not the right read. she has no mom & has to learn how to take care of her hair without the luxury of google, in a country where that hair type less common, AND lives in a humid coastal town. this is a coming of age story abt an insecurity that actual girls experience..."

Still, the debate has reignited wider conversations about how K-dramas and films handle diversity in appearance and whether international platforms like Netflix have a responsibility to challenge or at least contextualize outdated ideals.

Netflix has yet to release an official statement in response to the backlash. Whether the final film will address these concerns more sensitively remains to be seen.

Love Untangled is scheduled for release later this year.