Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama True Beauty, which became the ultimate teen rom-com that tackles beauty standards, self-acceptance, and the complexities of young love with both humor and heart.
True Beauty aired from December 9, 2020, to February 4, 2021, with 16 episodes running approximately 60 minutes each, broadcasting on tvN every Wednesday and Thursday. Available on Netflix since August 2024, this romantic comedy-drama is based on the popular webtoon by Yaongyi. The series follows Lim Ju-kyung, a high school girl who masters the art of makeup to transform herself from bullied outcast to school goddess, only to find herself caught between two very different but equally compelling love interests.
What makes this drama special is its honest exploration of beauty standards and self-worth in modern society. Rather than just being another high school romance, it delves into serious themes like bullying, family pressure, and the courage required to show your true self to the world. The series perfectly balances comedy with meaningful social commentary about appearance-based discrimination.
Lim Ju-kyung: The Girl Behind the Makeup
Lim Ju-kyung (Moon Ga-young) transforms from a bullied outcast to a school beauty queen through the power of makeup tutorials and sheer determination. Her character journey explores the complex relationship between external appearance and internal self-worth. Ju-kyung’s evolution throughout True Beauty shows how finding confidence can change everything, but also reveals the exhausting pressure of maintaining a perfect image.
Moon Ga-young delivers a nuanced performance that makes Ju-kyung both relatable and inspiring. Her ability to switch between the insecure girl without makeup and the confident school goddess showcases her range while highlighting the character’s internal struggles with identity and authenticity.
Lee Su-ho: The Cold Prince with Hidden Warmth
Lee Su-ho (Cha Eun-woo) is the quintessential cold male lead whose icy exterior melts when he discovers Ju-kyung’s true self. Unlike typical arrogant characters, Su-ho’s distance stems from personal trauma and family pressure rather than mere conceit. His relationship with Ju-kyung develops because he sees and accepts her natural appearance from the beginning.
Cha Eun-woo brings both visual appeal and emotional depth to Su-ho, creating a character who feels genuine despite fitting familiar K-drama tropes. His chemistry with Moon Ga-young creates tender moments that emphasize acceptance and understanding over superficial attraction.
Han Seo-jun: The Bad Boy with a Golden Heart
Han Seo-jun (Hwang In-youp) serves as the second male lead whose rebellious exterior hides a deeply caring nature. His character represents the path of unconditional acceptance and supportive friendship that gradually develops into romantic feelings. Seo-jun’s arc shows how true love means encouraging someone to be their authentic self rather than trying to change them.
Hwang In-youp’s breakout performance as Seo-jun earned him massive fan following, with many viewers torn between the two male leads. His portrayal brings complexity to what could have been a typical second lead syndrome situation.
When Secrets Threaten Everything
The series reaches its emotional peak when Ju-kyung’s carefully constructed image begins to crumble, forcing her to confront her fears about being rejected for her true appearance. These climactic episodes showcase True Beauty at its most powerful, exploring how relationships built on authenticity can survive any revelation. The way the series handles the revelation of Ju-kyung’s natural appearance proves that genuine connections are based on much more than physical beauty.
The final episodes demonstrate that true beauty comes from self-acceptance and the courage to be vulnerable with the people who matter most.
Success on Netflix
Though True Beauty received mixed reviews from critics for its handling of beauty standards, it became a massive hit with younger audiences, particularly internationally. The series gained renewed popularity when it arrived on Netflix in August 2024, introducing the show to a global audience who connected with its themes of self-acceptance and young love. True Beauty sparked important conversations about beauty standards, makeup culture, and the pressure teenagers face to conform to unrealistic ideals. The show’s success established its young cast as rising stars and demonstrated the continued appeal of high school romance dramas.
A Coming-of-Age Story That Resonates
If you love stories about self-discovery, high school romance, and finding the courage to be yourself, True Beauty is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. It’s a drama that entertainingly explores serious themes while delivering the romance and comedy that make it addictively watchable.
Why This Series Speaks to a Generation
Throughout its 16 episodes, viewers witness how true confidence comes not from external validation but from accepting yourself completely. True Beauty proves that the most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one with yourself, and that genuine love sees beauty in authenticity rather than perfection.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 16 (Completed)
Platform: Netflix
Release Year: 2020-2021
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Romantic Comedy, High School, Coming-of-age
Status: Completed series
Main Characters: Moon Ga-young (Lim Ju-kyung), Cha Eun-woo (Lee Su-ho), Hwang In-youp (Han Seo-jun)
Antagonist: Beauty standards, bullying, and internalized self-doubt