True Beauty is a South Korean drama that follows the story of Lim Ju-kyung, a high school girl who uses makeup to transform her appearance and gain confidence. As she navigates love, friendships, and societal beauty standards, she learns the importance of inner beauty and self-acceptance. The drama explores themes of self-esteem, identity, and love, with a compelling love triangle and emotional twists.
Introduction
Table of Contents
True Beauty is a popular South Korean television drama that aired in 2020-2021. It is based on a webtoon of the same name and falls under the genres of romance, comedy, and drama, with some elements of coming-of-age and transformation. Here’s an overview of the theme, cast, and a major twist:
Theme:
The central theme of True Beauty revolves around the concept of inner and outer beauty. It tells the story of Lim Ju-kyung, a high school girl who struggles with self-esteem issues due to her appearance. After facing bullying because of her looks, she becomes skilled at makeup and transforms into a beautiful young woman, gaining popularity and confidence. However, she keeps her natural, unmade-up face a secret, which creates tension as she navigates school life and relationships. The drama explores issues of body image, self-worth, societal beauty standards, and the emotional toll of living up to those standards.
Cast:
- Moon Ga-young as Lim Ju-kyung: The female lead, a high school girl who uses makeup to mask her insecurities and find confidence.
- Cha Eun-woo as Lee Su-ho: The male lead, a handsome and popular student who has his own emotional baggage. He becomes close to Ju-kyung.
- Hwang In-yeop as Han Seo-jun: A rebellious but kind-hearted student who is also romantically interested in Ju-kyung, creating a love triangle.
- Park Yoo-na as Choi Soo-ah: Ju-kyung’s supportive friend who eventually plays a key role in her journey.
- Kim Min-ki as Lim Ju-kyung’s younger brother.
Twist:
A major twist in the drama occurs when Ju-kyung’s secret is revealed, especially her natural appearance without makeup. While she has been hiding it to avoid embarrassment, Su-ho and Seo-jun, who both develop feelings for her, are already aware of her real self. As the characters evolve and their relationships deepen, Ju-kyung learns to accept herself as she is, both with and without makeup. This marks a critical turning point where the emphasis shifts from external beauty to the importance of inner strength, self-love, and the acceptance of flaws.
The drama builds tension not just through the love triangle but also through the conflict of Ju-kyung’s struggle with maintaining her dual identity, and the pressure she faces to conform to societal beauty expectations.
Availablity
True Beauty is available for streaming on platforms such as Viki and iQIYI. It may also be available on other regional streaming services, depending on your location. You can check these platforms for availability in your area or any subscription requirements.
Conclusion
True Beauty is a heartwarming and engaging drama that tackles important themes such as self-esteem, the pressure of societal beauty standards, and the journey of self-acceptance. Through the story of Lim Ju-kyung, viewers are reminded that true beauty comes from within, and that loving oneself is more important than meeting external expectations. With its relatable characters, emotional depth, and compelling love triangle, the series offers a perfect blend of romance, humor, and life lessons, making it a must-watch for fans of coming-of-age stories and K-dramas.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is True Beauty about?
True Beauty follows the story of Lim Ju-kyung, a high school girl who struggles with low self-esteem due to her appearance. After learning the art of makeup, she transforms into a beautiful student, gaining confidence and popularity. However, she hides her natural face and navigates her relationships while grappling with the pressures of beauty standards and self-acceptance.
2. Where can I watch True Beauty?
True Beauty is available for streaming on platforms like Viki and iQIYI. It may also be available on other regional streaming services, so it’s best to check your local streaming platforms for availability.
3. Who are the main characters in True Beauty?
The main characters are:
Lim Ju-kyung (played by Moon Ga-young) – The protagonist who transforms through makeup.
Lee Su-ho (played by Cha Eun-woo) – The popular and kind-hearted male lead.
Han Seo-jun (played by Hwang In-yeop) – The rebellious student who becomes a romantic interest.
Choi Soo-ah (played by Park Yoo-na) – Ju-kyung’s supportive friend.
4. Is True Beauty based on a webtoon?
Yes, True Beauty is adapted from a popular webtoon of the same name by Yaongyi.
5. What is the twist in True Beauty?
A major twist occurs when Ju-kyung’s secret about her natural, unmade-up appearance is revealed, especially to the two male leads, Su-ho and Seo-jun. Despite her fears of rejection, they both accept her for who she is, and Ju-kyung learns to embrace her true self.
6. How many episodes does True Beauty have?
True Beauty has a total of 16 episodes, airing from December 2020 to February 2021.
7. Is there a second season of True Beauty?
As of now, there has been no official announcement about a second season of True Beauty. The drama concludes with a satisfying ending to the main storyline.
8. What are the main themes of True Beauty?
The drama explores themes of self-esteem, beauty standards, identity, love, and self-acceptance. It emphasizes the importance of inner beauty and personal growth over external appearances.
9. Who sings the OST for True Beauty?
The OST for True Beauty features songs by popular artists, including ASTRO‘s Cha Eun-woo, who also stars in the drama. The soundtrack includes both romantic ballads and upbeat tracks, complementing the mood of the series.
10. Is True Beauty suitable for all ages?
True Beauty is rated 12+ in many regions, making it suitable for a teenage and adult audience. It contains some emotional and romantic elements, but it does not include heavy violence or mature content.