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True Beauty is a Korean television series based on the line webtoon of the same name by Yaongyi. The drama stars Moon Ga-young, Cha Eun-woo, Hwang In-yeoup, and Park Yoo-na.
Show Name – True Beauty
Director’s Name – Kim Sang-hyeop
Genre – Romance, Comedy, Coming-of-Age
Based on – True Beauty by Yaongyi
Language – Korean
Synopsis (Non-spoiler)
High school student Lim Ju-kyung has been constantly discriminated by her family and bullied by other “good-looking” peers in her school due to her appearance being not up to the marks. So when she changes school she uses makeup to transform herself into a pretty girl.
The response she receives from her classmates is different from what she experienced earlier at a school. Enter, Lim Soo-Ho, the handsome boy who can make anyone go weak in the knees but is cold and aloof and also Han So-Jeon, the bad boy with killer looks who does not fail to portray his charm. The show narrates her story thereafter and explores what true beauty is.
About the Director
Kim Sang-hyeop directorial ventures include Melancholia (2021), True Beauty (2020), Extraordinary You (2019), The King Loves (2017), Glamorous Temptation (2015), Mama (2014), 7th Grade Civil Servant (2013), Before and After: Plastic Surgery Clinic (2012) and Dong Yi (2010). His works as assistant director are Shin Don (2005), Ireland (2004), Match Made in Heaven (2004) and Good Person (2003).
Themes Involved
The main theme of the show is that the physical appearances of a person affect their life if they are not according to the standards set by society. When the world is moving forward with the thoughts of self-love and acceptance towards oneself it becomes extremely difficult when you are judged or bullied for having not the same conventional features.
True Beauty gives the message that looks are not life deciders and you can win any one’s heart with your vibrant personality and inner beauty. Your inner self is what reflected most when your outer beauty fades. However, it does not happen exactly in the real world where you are judged for your green eyes or blonde hair and personality, disposition and nature of a person take a back seat.
Ju-kyung does not shy away from showing her real face to the world, when it is revealed by her fake friend Soo-jin. She takes on the school head in even her friends abandon her and she hears whispers about her.
The series also coveys to do whatever you feel passionate about. Ju-kyung takes up make up as her choice of career path. While in high school she learns that she feels ecstatic when she works with brushes, eyeshadows and lipsticks. Without wasting her time, she convinces her family to let her do so. Later on, we see her working as a make-up artist.
Famous dialogues -
“How could you give up on your life like this? You should try to overcome difficulties instead. Have you even considered how devastated your kived ones would be ? Someone might forever live in guilt for not being able to save you. There’s nothing you can do for a dead person so don’t die.”
“You are stronger than you think and I’ll try to be stronger too.”
“Someone told me that crying is a way to cleanse your heart. It’s all right to cry at times. You don’t have to pretend to be okay.”
“Some of you don’t know what you really want. And some of you do know but you’re hesitant. But opportunities cone without a warning you must be prepared to take advantage of it.”
The Bottom Line
True Beauty is a worldwide popular K-drama that earned the credit of many fans. Although the show tries to touch some themes of great importance it does it superficially. The choice of cast is apt with Hwang In-yeop winning hearts like it’s nobody’s business. True Beauty is a show to enjoy without using much of your brain. The drama is fun and endearing even though at times it seems full of tropes and silly. But otherwise those moments it wouldn’t be so enchanting.
My ratings for the show True Beauty – 3.5 on 5
You may watch the show on Rakuten Viki
Written By – Vanshika Rathour
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