“True Beauty” is a South Korean TV series featuring Moon Ga-young, Cha Eun-woo, Hwang In-youp, and Park Yoo-na. Adapted from the Line Webtoon “True Beauty” by Yaongyi, the story revolves around a high school girl who faces bullying and discrimination due to her perceived unattractiveness. Determined to change her appearance, she becomes skilled in makeup artistry, transforming herself into a stunning “goddess”. The show aired on tvN from December 9, 2020, to February 4, 2021, airing every Wednesday and Thursday at 22:30 (KST).
CHARACTERS
- Moon Ga-young takes on the role of Lim Ju-kyung, a recent transfer to Saebom High School who has faced discrimination and bullying due to her perceived unattractiveness. She masters makeup through online tutorials, leading to a transformative makeover that earns her the nickname “goddess” among her new peers. Ju-kyung enjoys reading horror comics and listening to heavy metal music.
- Cha Eun-woo portrays Lee Su-ho, a popular and top-performing student at Saebom High School. Despite his handsome appearance, Su-ho is emotionally distant due to his troubled family background and a past tragedy. He shares Ju-kyung’s interest in horror comics and has a complex relationship with his former best friend, Seo-jun.
- Hwang In-youp plays Han Seo-jun, another popular student at Saebom High School who harbors a kind and gentle personality despite his tough exterior. Formerly close friends with Su-ho, a tragic incident leads to their estrangement, and Seo-jun becomes hostile towards him. He develops a close bond with Ju-kyung after she stands up for his younger sister.
- Park Yoo-na portrays Kang Su-jin, Su-ho’s childhood friend who befriends Ju-kyung but faces pressure from her parents to excel academically and constantly be compared to Su-ho.
- In supporting roles, the series features various characters from the protagonists’ families, including Lim Ju-kyung’s family, Lee Su-ho’s family, Han Seo-jun’s family, and Kang Su-jin’s family, each adding depth to the storyline and contributing to the character development.
- Additionally, the series explores the dynamics among students at Saebom High School and Yongpa High School, including friendships, rivalries, and instances of bullying, providing a rich backdrop for the unfolding drama and character interactions.
STORYLINE
A high school girl, subjected to bullying and discrimination because of her appearance, undergoes a remarkable transformation into a stunning “goddess” after mastering makeup techniques through online tutorials. Lim Ju-kyung, an 18-year-old student plagued by insecurity about her looks, faces constant discrimination from her family and peers due to her perceived unattractiveness. Turning to internet tutorials, she hones her makeup skills before transferring to a new school, where her newfound beauty earns her widespread admiration and the nickname “goddess”. Despite her popularity, Ju-kyung remains haunted by her fear of revealing her true, unadorned face, a fear that materializes when her classmate Lee Su-ho, handsome yet aloof, recognizes her without makeup. Su-ho, burdened by his own past trauma and strained friendship with Han Seo-jun, finds solace and understanding in Ju-kyung’s company as they navigate their shared struggles and unravel hidden truths.
