True Beauty

Lim Ju-kyung has always felt awkward about how she looks, so she perfects the art of makeup to present a polished version of herself. At school she dazzles classmates with flawless looks, but at home she takes it all off and worries that people would judge her bare face. As she learns to balance a public persona and private insecurity, Ju-kyung crosses paths with two very different boys, Lee Su-ho and Han Seo-jun, whose attention and histories complicate her teenage life. The series follows her friendships, rivalries, and romance while showing how appearance, confidence, and online image affect young people, without revealing any major twists or endings.

Released in 2020, the television adaptation was directed by Kim Sang-hyub and developed by creators Lee Si-eun, Meow, and Kang Sook, bringing the story to screens with a modern K-drama sensibility.

The show pushed conversations about beauty standards and online culture, prompting viewers to talk about makeup as identity and performance. It helped raise the international profiles of its leads, turning moments from the series into widely shared clips and fashion references among fans.

Critics and audiences gave generally positive reactions, and the series holds an average vote of 8.254 out of 10 from 2,526 votes, reflecting strong viewer engagement. Reviews often highlighted the chemistry among the leads and the series' focus on self-image, bullying, and the pressures teenagers face on social media, even when story beats stayed light and accessible.

The series earned recognition at various year-end television and popularity awards in South Korea, with cast members receiving nominations and fan-voted honors that underlined the show’s mainstream appeal and the strong support it drew from viewers.