True Beauty
2020
Original language: Korean
- comedy
- drama
The story
After being bullied and discriminated because of her ugly looks, a high school girl transforms herself into a gorgeous "goddess" and quickly rises to fame after mastering the art of makeup via online tutorial videos.
What it’s like
Bright, glossy digital photography with saturated school-hallway colors, bathroom mirrors lit by hard vanity bulbs, and a steady stream of close-ups on skin, lipstick and hair that make the makeover process feel tactile and playful. The mood is light and bouncy, a comedy that turns quietly anxious when the heroine has to keep her double life intact, with a pop-leaning soundtrack, quick cuts, and frequent cutaways to tween-style reaction faces. Pacing is brisk and episodic, the kind that suits a weeknight binge or something on in the background while folding laundry. Its emotional register is warm and mildly romantic, and the central arcs follow a self-conscious girl learning to value herself and a popular boy slowly seeing past the surface, with plenty of teasing and small social embarrassments along the way. Intensity is low: bullying and cruel remarks appear regularly but are played for comedy and resolved quickly, with no gore or real violence, and romance stays at the level of hand-holding, blushes and a few kisses. It suits viewers who want a cheerful, sweet school romance about appearances and self-image, especially fans of makeover stories and lighthearted K-drama comfort.
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