True Beauty is a 2020 South Korean drama starring Moon Ga-young, Cha Eun-woo, and Hwang In-youp.

The Plot 💄

“A female student's life changes as she learns makeup techniques. Joo Kyung lives hidden behind the makeup from her hurtful past, and Suho also loses joy from his hurtful past. The two rely on each other, sharing their secrets.”

Sick of being bullied about her looks, Im Joo Kyung masters the art of makeup with the help of online tutorials and transforms into one of the most attractive students in the class. However, she is terrified that her classmates might discover her true appearance, which is hidden behind makeup.

Lee Su Ho is an excellent student, and thanks to his naturally attractive looks, he is extremely popular among the girls in school. He also happens to be the only person who is aware of Joo Kyung’s dark secret. However, she is not alone. Su Ho also has a dark past that is slowly but surely catching up with him.

When these two are drawn together, they not only begin to uncover one another's secrets but also realise more about their own genuine selves.

My Thoughts 💭

I personally really enjoyed watching this show, despite it being a webtoon adaptation. The casting is done perfectly, and the actors make the show truly come to life.

The female protagonist will resonate with anyone who has ever felt self-conscious about their appearance. The show tackles very important subjects like insecurities, self-image issues, and beauty standards.

Apart from that, though the show doesn’t go into great detail, it still brings to light mental health and family issues that are in dire need of being addressed.

Despite all the heavy themes, the drama itself is very light-hearted and fun to watch. A love triangle trope keeps you hooked but may or may not disappoint you, so beware! 🙃