True Beauty

Lim Ju-kyung is a high school student who has always had a complex personality towards her appearance since childhood, since she was badly bullied by her classmates and told that she was ugly. Struggling with insecurity and ridicule, she decides to transfer schools to escape her past and start fresh. To overcome her low self-esteem and avoid further bullying, she masters the art of makeup, using it to transform her appearance. Her excellent makeup skills enhance her beauty so much that people at her new school believe she is naturally stunning, earning her the title of a "goddess". Before transferring, however, Ju-kyung reached a breaking point due to relentless bullying and once attempted to commit suicide and jump off a building. At that time, she was saved by Lee Su-ho, a wealthy but cold high school student. However, since she was not wearing her glasses at the time, she couldn't see his face, and Lee Su-ho does not recognise her because of her new look. At her new school, Ju-kyung crosses paths with Lee Su-ho again, but neither of them realises their past connection. Meanwhile, she also meets Han Seo-jun, a rebellious yet talented student, forming an interesting dynamic among the three. One day, while visiting a comic store near her house without makeup, she runs into Lee Su-ho. Terrified that he might discover her bare face, she panics. However, Lee Su-ho recognises her as the girl he once saved, and they slowly develop a friendship. As time passes, he discovers her true appearance, but instead of cutting her off, he accepts Ju-kyung as she is. Alongside Lee Su-ho, Han Seo-jun, also befriends Ju-kyung. As he slowly develops feelings for her, it leads to a love triangle between the three. Through ups and downs throughout her high school life, Ju-kyung struggles to keep her bare face a secret, but eventually, the truth about her appearance is exposed. Despite facing initial embarrassment and fear, she grows stronger, learning to embrace herself. In the end, she pursues her dream of becoming a cosmetologist, turning her passion for makeup into a career and proving that beauty is about confidence rather than just appearance. Through all the ups and downs, Lee Su-ho and Ju-kyung support each other and grow stronger together. Eventually, they find happiness in each other, cherishing their love and embracing their true selves, while Seo-jun gives up his feelings for Ju-Kyung.

Plot from True Beauty (South Korean TV series)CC BY-SA 4.0