From the moment it aired in late 2020, the tvN drama True Beauty became a worldwide hit. Based on the popular webtoon by Yaongyi, the story follows a girl who uses makeup to change her life, leading to love, friendship, and a journey toward self-acceptance. The series is beloved not just for its story but for the vibrant characters brought to life by a talented cast. This is your guide to the actors and the memorable roles they played.
Who’s Who: The Main Cast and Characters
At the heart of True Beauty are four students at Saebom High School, whose lives become deeply intertwined.
Moon Ga-young plays the lead role of Lim Ju-kyung. After being badly bullied for her appearance at her old school, Ju-kyung becomes a makeup expert to create a new, beautiful identity at Saebom High. Moon Ga-young skillfully portrays Ju-kyung’s dual life—her external confidence and internal insecurities. The young Ju-kyung is played by Lee Go-eun.
Cha Eun-woo takes on the role of Lee Su-ho, the aloof, top-ranking student who is popular for his looks. Beneath his cold exterior lies a painful family history and a tragic past event that connects him to Ju-kyung and his former best friend, Han Seo-jun. Lee Seung-woo portrays the young Su-ho in flashbacks.
Playing the rebellious yet kind-hearted Han Seo-jun is Hwang In-youp. A former idol trainee, Seo-jun has a strained relationship with Su-ho but develops deep feelings for Ju-kyung, creating the drama’s central love triangle.
Park Yoo-na rounds out the main quartet as Kang Su-jin, Su-ho’s childhood friend and a top student pressured by her demanding family. Her complex friendship with Ju-kyung adds significant depth to the story.
The Supporting Families: A Foundation of Humor and Heart
The drama’s warmth and humor largely come from Ju-kyung’s lively family. Her mother, Hong Hyun-sook, is played by Jang Hye-jin. Hyun-sook runs a beauty salon named Pandora and is the family’s strong matriarch. Her father, Lim Jae-pil, portrayed by Park Ho-san, is a loving but unfortunate man who loses the family’s money to a bad investment.
Ju-kyung’s older sister, the pretty and smart Lim Hee-kyung, is played by Im Se-mi. She works at a talent agency and has her own romantic storyline with a teacher. Her younger brother, Lim Ju-young, is played by Kim Min-gi, who develops a sweet crush on Seo-jun’s sister.
Other important families include Su-ho’s famous actor father, Lee Joo-heon, played by Jung Joon-ho. Seo-jun’s family includes his mother, Lee Mi-hyang (Park Hyun-jung), who is ill, and his talented younger sister, Han Go-woon (Yeo Joo-ha), who faces bullying of her own.
Friends, Teachers, and the Rest of Saebom High
The halls of Saebom High are filled with memorable side characters. Ju-kyung’s cheerful best friend is Choi Soo-ah, played by Kang Min-ah, who is dating Yoo Tae-hoon (Lee Il-jun). Their homeroom teacher, Han Joon-woo, is portrayed by Oh Eui-shik, whose calm presence guides the class.
The drama also features notable cameo appearances from other well-known actors. Lee Jae-wook (Alchemy of Souls) and Kim Hye-yoon (Extraordinary You) appear together in a brief, fun scene as moviegoers. Chani from the group SF9 plays Jeong Se-yeon, a friend of Su-ho and Seo-jun who is key to understanding their past.
Where to Watch True Beauty
For audiences around the world who want to watch or re-watch the series, True Beauty is widely available for streaming.
- In South Korea, the show originally aired on tvN from December 9, 2020, to February 4, 2021, every Wednesday and Thursday.
- Internationally, the drama is available on the streaming platform Viki.
- In several regions, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, it is also available on Amazon Prime Video.
The series consists of 16 episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 70 minutes.
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