Charlie’s angels

Since the ancient time, women had suffered from the unfairness and inequality. Much sadder fact is that they even didn’t know that it is unfair. Th

ey thought it is a matter of course. Feminism refers to the movement to support women’s right and equality politically, socially and economically. Although it doesn’t seem to be related to pop culture, it is highly related. Since there is feminism and such movements, it broadened the field of pop culture; for an example, if there has been a man hero such as James Bond and Superman, now there is also “Wonder Woman.” However, there is a constant traditional gender role. Man works outside and woman works inside. Man is independent and woman is

dependent. This simple concept of the traditional gender role has been set in society and seemed unalterable. It was also reflected in the media such as movies, TV shows, magaz

ines, and etc. For many centuries, a man has been portrayed as a main character that carries out the plot, but female was either one who is saved or one who helps male character to accomplish the mission.

Charlie’s angels, one of the most famous TV series in 20^th century, had been in air from 1976 to 1981. It was a big issue in the society that brought a profound change in people’s minds and thoughts. Because of its popularity, it was also made into film in 2000. In Charlie’s angels, three female detectives receive a mission. While woman were most vulnerable character in other movies, they were heroine with intelligence, physical strength, and beautiful appearance. Their mysterious boss sent them a message or mission via voice and sent them his assistant, Bosley.

Most people might easily conclude that it distorted early-existing image of woman and was critical watershed in the movement of feminism; however, I partially disagree with this idea. Superficially it

exchanged man and woman’s role, but it keeps the same concept of the traditional gender role. In Korea, the title of the movie is translated to “Beauty Trio.” While it criticizes the society’s tendency to emphasize an appearance and sexual appeals, it shows that sexual appeals are the most important factor for female. As most of the viewers of the film can notice, those three main characters are sexually attractive. They are beautiful and have a perfect body shape. What if they casted normal “geeks” or woman as a main character? What if they were intelligent and strong, but not sexually appealing?

Throughout the movie, we can easily find scenes that those three main characters use their appearances and sexual appeals as a tool to accomplish their goals; they sometimes lead bad guys on to acquire a confidential document. Males in the movie are easily fascinated by them and it coincides with the traditional gender roles that we discussed in the class. In this film, the director tried to create a revolutionary work to represent woman’s ability and rights, but he ultimately fails to eliminate deep-rooted prejudice on gender roles.

This situation can be observed in not only media, but also everywhere. In my opinion, there is no place where everyone is treated equally and has equal rights. If there is one, it might be haven. This is tradition, which has been descended from ancient. It is hard to reform, and it needs a huge sacrifice in order to achieve it. We unconsciously segregate ourselves from different gender. We should always be conscious that all humans are equally created. We have rights to be treated equally and we should be.