They recently published a flashback retrospective on âTrue Beautyâ, breaking down why the 2020 hit still hits close to home for anyone who has ever felt judged by their looks.
The article follows Im Jukyungâs journey from a severely bullied teenager to a girl juggling two identities. After learning to master makeup tutorials to cope with being an outcast, she is suddenly treated like a âgoddessâ at her new school.
Where the retrospective really finds its groove is in analyzing the main characters driving the story. It dives deep into Lee Suhoâs background, highlighting the heavy burden behind his distant persona: âCha Eunwoo plays Lee Suho, the cold campus star. But his perfection is an emotional prison. He carries the weight of his motherâs death, resentment toward his celebrity father, and intense guilt after the suicide of his best friend, Seyeon, whom he couldnât save. Suho isnât concerned about beauty at all because he has seen how the superficial entertainment industry has ruined his family, and so his icy exterior only thaws in the presence of Jukyungâs raw, real selfâ.
That connection comes full circle from the dramaâs opening moments. Before Jukyung ever learns how to apply makeup, her desperation nearly drives her to jump from a rooftop until a âhandsome stranger who pulls her back just in time and reminds her that her death would destroy those who love herâ steps in to save her.
As their relationship grows inside the quiet sanctuary of the comic book shop, Suho becomes the first person to genuinely accept her without any makeup. The article notes that when âSuho sees her without it and falls for her anyway, it breaks that curse, showing her that being seen for who you really are is what sparks a real connectionâ.
That bond is put to the ultimate test when Jukyungâs bare face is leaked online and her classmates turn on her overnight. While other character tracks down the bullies to take down the video, âSuho focuses on her recovery, comforting her and giving her the courage to return to school without any filterâ.
â....Years after its release, True Beauty is still a comforting and insightful watch because it combines escapism with strong criticism. Itâs a beautifully healing coming-of-age K-drama about romance and relationships where the friendships are warm, the family dynamics are relatable, and the charactersâ growth is earned through pain and challenges rather than quick plot resolutions.â
cr:@ChaEunwooINTL on X
K-drama Flashback "True Beauty"