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True Beauty: Episodes 11-12 Open Thread

We’ve reached a major turning point in our story, and while some relationships are on the mend, others grow quickly toxic, and create dire circumstances for our heroine. Her sweet and guileless personality leaves her blindsided when both her dreams — and her nightmares — start to come true.

 
EPISODES 11-12 WEECAP

Thank the drama gods that the boys’ car accident wasn’t as bad as it seemed. Though it looked like they might, no one received any life-threatening injuries. Instead, there are a few broken bones between them (a leg for Soo-ho and an arm or two for Seo-joon), and the opportunity for hijinks — and healing.

Yay, even though they’re bruised and upset, this little plot arc serves to mend the rift between them. Seo-joon (and Joo-kyung) witness Soo-ho’s anger against his father, and the misunderstandings around Se-yeon’s death are cleared up. Seo-joon no longer holds Soo-ho responsible; instead, they’re able to talk things through, clear the air, and even mourn together, like they so badly needed to do. It’s adorable, feel-good, and I love it.

And then there’s the comedy, which balances out the drama’s heavier themes between the boys (suicide, anxiety, loss of parents, etc). We’re treated to multiple hilarious piggyback scenes, feeding-each-other scenes, and all the cuteness we could ever want between these two. Even their schoolmates notice they’re no longer at odds.

But the car accident, and the mending of this bromance, also has repercussions on the show’s love triangle. Seo-joon is still struggling to get over Joo-kyung (adorably holding onto his arm cast because of the message she wrote on it) — but he’s also pretty noble about it. When Soo-ho asks if he’ll confess to Joo-kyung, Seo-joon baulks that there’s no way he can, since he knows they’re happily dating. Sigh, I like him even more for his manners.

The romance between Joo-kyung and Soo-ho is also stepped up this week. Their devotion to each other is clear, their quarrels put aside, and there’s a lot of swoony meetups (that goodbye/hello kiss at her house!) and silly hijinks at the hospital.

But this is dramaland, and things can’t stay purely cute for long. So if Soo-ho and Joo-kyung are more solid than ever, Soo-jin has continued in parallel down her new baddie path. And wow, she can really throw an evil eye around!

As much as I don’t like this direction for Soo-jin, I can accept it. This girl’s home life is so toxic and upsetting, I can understand why her broken heart causes her to act so cruelly to Joo-kyung — after all, the one person she thought was going to protect her (Soo-ho) has been pretty painfully blunt about not thinking of her as more than a friend.

I think what makes the betrayal between the girls so painful is the fact that Joo-kyung has been so honest and kind towards Soo-jin, and values their friendship so much. We’ve seen Joo-kyung tormented over her dating secret, and this week she calls up the courage to tell Soo-jin about Soo-ho. Agh, this scene hurt — Soo-jin seems so earnest and kind, playing dumb, and playing supportive. She lies so well.

The bullies at Joo-kyung’s old school keep coming back like a nightmare, but now that Soo-jin is so antagonistic towards Joo-kyung, she’s paying attention to this dynamic in a whole new way. When the other bullied girl (who sold out Joo-kyung) turns up at Saebom High, it doesn’t take long for Soo-jin to stitch the whole thing together: from Joo-kyung’s old “ugly” persona, to her humiliation by the bullies, to the photographic evidence to prove it.

I hate that this is happening, although I know we had to get to this point in the drama eventually. Poor Joo-kyung has been feeling the weight of “hiding” her true self ever since she took on her new goddess persona, and even though I hate seeing her suffer, she does need to learn how to value herself. I just wish the path there wasn’t so cruel.

It’s certainly a case of Joo-kyung’s most terrible nightmares coming true, because when her old face is revealed, it’s revealed to the entire school, and there’s whispering, mockery, laughter, and friends that act betrayed. I’m not sure why finding out that a lovely young girl who has bad skin and covers it with makeup is something that needs to blow up into quite this big of a scandal, but it does, nonetheless.

Thankfully, we know Soo-ho already knows the truth and adores her regardless; also, this week, Seo-joon is shown pictures of “ugly” Joo-kyung by the lead bully, and I was happy to see his total lack of reaction too (we were hinted that he wouldn’t care either, thanks to Go-woon’s parallel storyline). But the rest of Joo-kyung’s friends? Can we even call them that? To me, they seem more like betrayers than the betrayed.

Painful though it is, I’m glad we got to this crashing point in our story — it means that it’s only up from here for Joo-kyung. We’ve seen her rise above her fear and face the bullies, and though she did it meekly, she did it. And I hope there’s more of that to come. Joo-kyung is brave and kind, and there’s no way she’s not going to win in the end. Roar!

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Thanks for the weecap, been loving this drama so much. Which is such a big surprise to cuz I remember thinking after the first episode that I would drop it like hot potato lol (didn’t care about the set up or cha eun woo’s wooden acting). Glad to report all my biases were broken and shattered to pieces by this lovely drama. Even my aversion to pretty boy’s robot acting got settled esp after the scene with su ho’s dad. That was very very good acting by cha eun woo, boy’s learning and doing well, bless his handsomeness ❤️

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I will hope that Joo-kyung will be back to winner by defeating against her old own ugly face in the end with total right makeup. Also, I want her ugliest female classmates to go to hellish places if she will be fighting.

I knew that during episode 11, there was a male funny guest character named Columbus Park, I knew it's already existed as one of the true and real Manhattan (NY) famous parks.

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Thank you for the weecap @missvictrix!

I just wanted to say, I love Ep.11 and 12 because a lot of scenes of Soo-ho and Seo-joon together.
Mending broken friendship melts my heart...
And I love Hwang In-yeop... Hope this drama opens a lot of doors for him!

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Thanks for recapping. I continue to watch this show for the nice fluffy comedy and meta. I continue to enjoy the silly hijinks like hiding under the bedspread. And then everyone runs out to see Yeo Ha Jin, the nation's first love! They didn't show her though, so I was bummed about that. Maybe they couldn't afford to pay an actress to play her.

I also continue to enjoy Ju Kyung's teasing of Seojoon. How she can make a rawr always so cute is beyond me.

The drama part, or the part where JuKyung's real face comes out is quite harsh on the poor girl. I personally think that SooAh will come to her senses eventually, and prove that she's a true friend. Ju Kyung can't only have male friends, she needs some sort of bestie to keep her sane. I think that she will find the courage to stand up to Se mi and be happy in her own skin, and she can happily enjoy horror comics and ramyeon with Suho at Prince's comic books by the end of the show.

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This drama continues to be delightful every week.
So glad both guys have mended their misunderstanding, and the bromance is so awesome.
Another unforgettable scene is the Joo Kyung, Hee Kyung "double date" meal, it is absolutely hilarious.
And I absolutely love love love the meta on Yeo Ha Jin, the top actress getting much attention at the hospital. So much so, I actually started a rewatch of Find Me In Your Memory. I can very well imagine Joo Kyung to be the younger self of Yeo Ha Jin.

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Omgggg I can't believe I didn't catch that about 'Yeo Ha Jin'! xD

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Thanks for the weecap, @missvictrix! I'm really loving this show. The morning that Soo-ho was going back to school but instead picks Joo-kyung up at home so they can come to school together, it made my day! I hope JK's present school mates will not be the same as her former ones. With her winning the 'face' of the school without even trying (actually saying she didn't join the contest) is an act of humility that the bully girl will never realize - that JK has more than enough friends to be by her side, plus the Soo-ho and Seo-jun.

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The preview makes it look like all of her friends have deserted her -- Soojin and SooAh, but we'll see. I think Soo Ah will change her mind, and will get back into JuKyung's corner. Like you said, JuKyung is so humble and modest that I think people would like her no matter what. I know I would, but then again, I'm totally loving how cute Moon Ga Young is, especially when she does her patented rawr! to Seojoon.

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I'm here for Soo Jin's transformation. I love what they are doing with this character and the actress is breathing life into her. She's so complex and texture. This turn to the dark-side might be a little cliche but you can't stop your heart from breaking for her. You know the potential she has. You know she's acting out because she wants to feel in control of something in her life. This poor baby is so broken for her.

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Seo-joon is such perfect friend, brother and son :) I find him adorable when he goes to his sister's work to get home together.

I'm sad for Soo-Jin she was such a good friend. I understand why she acts like that and it's sad the only person who knows her problem is Suho.

It's pretty recurrent. They said they are best friends but at the end, they all hide their insecurity to each other. Soo Jin didn't tell to IJK and Choi Soo-A her father abuse, IJK didn't show them her "ugly" side.

I guess Choi Soo-A will feel betray because she tells them everything and they didn't...

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Thank you for a cute recap :) Loved reading it . Such a nice feel good drama . Joo-kyung is such an adorable female lead!

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Am I the only one thinking maybe Sooah feeling betrayed has something to do with her finding out JK dating SH behind everyone's back as well? I mean the online article had a photo of JK kissing SH at the hospital too if I'm not mistaken. And even from the little glimpses they showed us there's no mistaking it was SH and JK.. If I were to find out my closest friend was dating behind my back all the while i was trying to set her up on multiple blind dates, I would be pretty hurt too.. At least that's what I hope for because I love SA-JK-SJ friendship too much.. Fingers crossed SJ will come around too!
Speaking of friendships I loved how Seojoon looked horrified when Suho asked if he was planning to confess to JK, and even how SH kind of seemed to feel bad seeing SJ after the video call with JK!
Hi everyone! This is my first comment ever here on DB so I hope I made no mistakes 🙈
Thank you very much for your weecaps @missvictrix.. After watching the drama your weecaps are the only thing that keep me going the rest of the week! ♥️

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@dramagal Yay, hooray for your first comment + welcome! I'm glad you're enjoying the show~ This is one of those dramas for me that creates such a vivid little world I feel like I could hide in it forever. I don't want it to end!

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As much as I don’t like this direction for Soo-jin, I can accept it.
--- Me too :(

I wonder if Soo-jin knows Soo-ho is aware of Ju-kyung's no-makeup face? If she did, would she have done what she did?

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I agree with @missvictrix that why the fact that JK used make up to cover her bad skin is such a big deal. And basically how can the friends feel betrayed??? How can they be called friends when if they loved her only because she is beautiful? It's good that both SJ and SH like JK for who she is. It's also sad to see Soo jin turning evil. She betrayed her friend and the interaction between her and SH while she burned the necklace was so cringey to watch. I can understand her need for desperate control on life but that's not an excuse for what she did. I hope the writer find a way for her heal herself and realize her mistake before the series end.

And loved how the bromance is back. It's such delight to watch them sorting all the issues .

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I don't think her friends are mad at her for using make up. They're mad at her for lying about who she really is. Soo-ah's feelings are just hurt but I don't think she and the class will be angry long. We've seen through Hye Min that looks aren't that important to the kids at Seonil High School. Hye Min was welcomed at their lunch table.

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i was so sad and happy this week with the turn of the episodes. I loved the mending of friendship and all the cute scenes between our male leads. The betrayal wasn't a shock, but i knew it had to happen but it still hurt. The fact that soo jin can lie so well and even says that she likes JK cause she is warm and friendly ect, but will destroy her if she can't have what she wants, is so evil and two faced I agree that i didn't understand why people were so upset over makeup not everyone in that school has model good looks and they are mocking her??. I was disappointed with her "friend" soo-a how shallow is your friendship that looks can break it. I am thinking she is more hurt that Jk didn't trust her and tell her first and she will come around and maybe even ask for makeup tips!
I am hoping that since she has the loyalty of the most popular boys they might help soften some of the ridicule and everyone can be less shallow and she can learn to love herself, and the backstabber will get whats coming to her.

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Thanks for the lovely weecap as usual, @missvictrix. It's always such a pleasure to read after watching the equally lovely drama.

I love each week's juxtaposition of cute, hilarious and those heavier themes you mentioned. It is done so well. Regardless of the direction the drama takes, I always find myself smiling at the end (apart from last week's cliff hanger, that is).

I suspected the scandal was going to be massive because of the big deal they made of the beauty/popularity contest. Hopefully, Soo-ah (and the others) will calm down and be the friend we know she can be. Soo-jin, on the other hand, I am not too sure about. That scene where she tried blackmailing Su ho into breaking up with JK and dating her instead was so pathetic, I almost felt sorry for her.

Joo-kyung's 'Rawr!' never ceases to be one of the cutest things I have seen in dramaland. Every single time! Moon Ga-young is fabulous in this, as is the rest of the cast. I can't wait to see how the plot progresses.

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I mostly watch the show for the cute, and the cringey moments, and of course the embarrassing moments for all of the characters. I don't think a single one hasn't had at least one cringey moment, except maybe Soojin. I also love Moon Ga-Young's Rawr!

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I absolutely love Seo-Joon! its not SLS really, I just like him as a character. He is so much fun. I love that he looks like a slacker/prickly last bencher giving out bad boy vibes, but such a marshmallow who wears leopard print boxers!
I love how he handles his feelings.

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For those who've read the webtoon, is the show nearing the part untouched by the comic yet? It's gonna be an angsty week but I'm not that worried for Joo-Kyung. She has a lot of loyal people by her side, what with Soo-ho and Seo-joon in the frontlines, and I'm pretty sure at least Soo-ah and her bf in less than an episode's run.

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Roaming around the internet I see that people were really upset by episode 12. Not in a Sol Sol La La 'What nonsense did the writers just pull?' way but in a 'I'm really invested in this character' kind of way.

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Soo Ho and Seo Joon finally making up was nicely done with the mix of serious and comedic moments. I wasn’t too invested in Se Yeon’s story and his connection with the guys tbh. But it really hit me when Soo Ho read his letter.

*sighs* Seo Joon is such a great, thoughtful guy. He’s crushed that Joo Kyung doesn’t have romantic feelings for him, but he doesn’t cross the line. On the other side, Soo Jin is becoming more and more terrible. I honestly believed her during the early scene when Joo Kyung confessed that she was dating Soo Ho. She looked sincere and accepting of the truth. But man, she is sinister now. All her mean looks and calculating actions. I could imagine sweet Joo Kyung forgiving her, but I’m not sure I want her to. At least not right away. Soo Jin would need to be remorseful of what she did. Joo Kyung’s secret had to come out eventually, but not in the cruel, widespread way that Soo Jin orchestrated.

I’m glad Soo Ho knows Soo Jin’s true feelings and clearly declined them. Joo Kyung and Soo Ho still need to work on communicating and talking about Soo Jin and her effect on their relationship.

The sisters’ "double date" was cute and funny. Loved how they grilled each other while fiercely keeping up with the cooking and barking orders. XD

At one point, it looked like Joo Kyung was using acne medication so the drama showed she is working on treatment, not just cover up via makeup.

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It look me a whole week to sit down and watch Episode 12 because I knew it would cute + horrific for Ju-kyung. Alas, I don't feel sorry for her at all. Unpopular opinion, but I don't think she's the nice angel that both guys like. They way she snapped at that other bullied girl and gave her the cold shoulder every time did not sit well with me. I get that she can't forget how the other girl participated in the bullying act, but c'mon, she was also being bullied! What I'm saying is, Ju-kyung has done nothing but try to hide her real self all drama. Her instinct was always to flee. However, when confronted with someone weaker than herself who knows the truth, she practically bullied that girl into silence.

I am frustrated because, as usual in kdramas, the heroine's development is going nowhere unless prompted by external forces (scheming second lead, etc.). Ju-kyung has repeatedly looked in the mirror and pondered why she is afraid to show her real self, and then she just keeps hiding and making others hide the secret for her. Compare that with Su-ho's knitting therapy and how the bromance has developed with honest conversations and it's just... ugh.
#Episode12Curse

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