I'm Jessica and this is Tiba Kay Rambles, where a couple of
friends review Korean dramas. And welcome to the first
official episode of season five. We are back.
We are ready to talk about dramas again, and for this
episode I am joined by Bina at Bina Hearts on Instagram.
The Soompi writer and editor who has been stealing our hearts for
a very long time and putting out so much wonderful K Drama
content. She's also a writer for K Pop
Map. She's written a book called K
Pop A-Z, The Definitive K Pop Encyclopedia.
Bina, how Are you today? I am good.
Thank you so much for having me, Jess.
This has been like kind of a long time coming, but I'm so
glad to finally be here. Yes, I'm so glad that you're
here. Like she said.
Like she said, it's been a really long time coming.
You were supposed to come on last season and then I had to be
like, let's rain check it because I got burnt out and I
just had to. I was like, I need to take a
break. The holidays are coming up and
we, I'll tell you, we were supposed to review another drama
and it actually has a little bit to do with the drama that we're
going. To review.
Yeah. So maybe we like the writer.
I don't know. Yeah, So it's like full circle.
It comes, comes around, it comes around full circle.
But before we do, before we get into true beauty, if this is
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on Patreon. So come and join them and be a
patron. OK, Are you ready to talk about
true beauty, Vena? I am always, always ready to
talk about true beauty. OK, so we'll start with the My
Drama List synopsis. It reads True Beauty is a
romantic comedy about a high school girl, IMG Yung, who rises
to Beauty Girl. This synopsis I can't even
already rises to Pretty Girl fame after she masters the art
of makeup from YouTube, she learned.
What? It's great she turns into a
goddess. A goddess because of her makeup
skills but would rather die than reveal her bare face to anyone.
It tells her love story with the only boy that saw her without
makeup, East Hall. East Hall is an attractive and
hand attractive and handsome. Boy who appears.
Cold because of his dark past, but is actually very caring.
They grow when they meet each other, share their secrets and
find love with each other. But can Sue will make Du Pyong
find her true beauty. All right, This was adapted from
a webtoon, as a lot of people know or are familiar with it.
The webtoon is by the same name. True beauty.
I want. I feel like I'm gonna butcher
this name. But yeah.
Yeah, it's exactly. Yes, Yang Yi.
And then it aired. The show aired from December
2020 to February 2021. It is 16 episodes long, and it
is directed by Kim Sung Yob. He's also directed things like
Melancholia. OK, OK, so he directed.
Extraordinary. You didn't write it.
Directed Extraordinary you. So this was the show that we
were going to review originally. Amazing.
Yeah, I love that show. It's good.
I loved it.
But yeah, we're supposed to, but it's like 20, just 20/19 was a
long time ago. But this is only 2020 but then.
I know. True Beauty is 2020.
I know, but like, I don't know, Extraordinary You is a bit more
complicated, the storyline, do you know what I mean?
Oh, OK. You can remember it forever
because it's just, you know, which is what you get.
But extraordinary You was a little bit more complicated.
And I was like, I don't even really remember exactly what
happened. But it was a great show.
Loved it. And did you watch Melancholia?
I have not watched Melancholia. OK, it it was OK the I don't
know if you know about it but it's like about a student and a
teacher. So it's a little bit.
Yeah, it sounds. Familiar.
It's a little bit scandalous, but I watched it.
It wasn't that wasn't that great, but extraordinary.
You amazing. And then it was.
Yeah. Written by Ishiun.
Did you watch any of this, the dramas on her list?
So hold on, Ishiyan wrote. Run away with Sanjay on
Piggyback Top Star U Top, Sorry Her Name, Top Star Ubek, Ugly
Yoga, Season 12, High Kick Three and all my love for you.
I have not watched any of these. OK, I tried watching TOP * UBEK
was not for me. It's like a, you know, it's a
countryside kind of trope like, you know, like 2 Countryside
Girls, 2 Countryside Boys like Fall in Love, whatever.
I couldn't really get into it even though I love the cast.
And High Kick three I think is the the highlight here because
she wrote this is a huge sitcom. It was like, I don't know, I
want to say like 150 episodes. And I think it was like a she's
one of the writers. Oh yeah.
So this is probably, like, her big step into K drama writing.
I feel like, 'cause it was huge, huge, huge, huge.
You had every single. It's kind of like equivalent to
Disney Club, Mickey Mouse Club, you know what I mean?
So, like, you get all these rookie startup, like actors and
actresses who get their foot in the door.
Yeah, like Yi Jung Zok Ya Yun Chun Ya, Shin Sei Yun Ya, all
these, like, stars starting us. So, like, I didn't watch all of
it, obviously, 'cause it was just, it's so many episodes,
right? It's just like, it's like an
ongoing every week, 30 minute episode.
But yeah, I feel like this is the her biggest probably claim
to fame. Oh, and True Beauty, obviously.
I was like, yeah, true Beauty. Yeah, exactly.
So actually, do you know True Beauty is the top streamed K
drama on Vicki of all time? No, but that doesn't surprise.
Me it doesn't? No.
OK, that doesn't. I think some people would be
surprised, but OK, I'm glad you're not surprised.
No, this doesn't surprise me. Good, good.
Good. OK, rough to good start.
OK, so let's talk about our cast.
So we have Munkayung. As to Kyung, she's been in the
interest of love, Most recently Link E Love Kill Find Me in Your
Memory Welcome to Waikiki 2. Tempted Live Up to Your Name,
Heartstrings A lot of bit parts. But she has just kind of wrote
Risen Up the Ranks because she was a child actress starting in
2007. Yeah, she is actually massive
now. She like her following has grown
so much and I'd like to think it's mainly because of true
beauty. But she has like over 1,000,000
followers, which is crazy considering like her, you know,
her dramas aren't like crazy popular, you know what I mean?
And people hate that. I actually kind of liked
interest of love her recent one, people are love to get angry at
me about that one, but I thought she was great in it.
But I definitely think it was true beauty that put her on the
international map, you know? What I mean 100% when I totally
agree with you that true beauty like was the star making role
for her. Yeah, like her other.
Yeah, her other ones weren't that.
They're yeah, they're not that popular.
Or weren't. That.
Good, I would say. Before I had seen her in True
beauty, I had seen her in Tempted from 2018.
Did you watch the? Show I did, 'cause, like, I
don't know if you watched. Have you watched Cruel
Intentions The American Girl? Yeah, right.
You know who you're speaking to. I don't know.
I don't know what you're like. You know, Americans.
Yeah. So I and that it definitely gave
off those vibes for me. And so I was very, you know,
excited to see it. But when I watched.
It I think it's based on. Is it?
It's what? Cruel Intentions is based on,
which is a French novel, and I the name escapes me.
But yes, OK, so that's why it's it's a basically a a.
Yeah, an adaptation, yeah. Remake of it or something,
right. But I don't know.
I I wanted I feel like it could have been so much more but I I
for me I was like Oh no I don't really like the way that the the
main couple their relationship was going.
But anyways I did think she was when I first saw Herns I feel
like I didn't remember her and live up to your name or
heartstrings to be honest. Like I've watched both of those
I don't remember her at all in it but tempted.
I obviously remember her and I remember thinking like, Oh my
God, she's like gorgeous, you know?
And. Yeah, and unhinged.
Yes, exactly. Which was amazing.
She yeah, she did it so well. But yeah, after that, like, I
don't feel like she did anything really, really memorable until
obviously true beauty, but yeah. Yeah.
I love her, though. Like true beauty, is her magnum
opus. Even like to this day.
I hope she can like find another role though to like I it's going
to be hard though. I feel like just because of true
beauty is just so huge internationally.
But I'm hoping, you know, I'm hoping that she'll find
something that's bigger because she's she's better than that.
She's super intelligent and elegant, you know what I mean?
But yeah, I'm hoping that for her.
Yeah, and then Chaonu plays Suho.
We all know. We all know.
OK, so he's an idol turned actor.
You might have known him as part of the group Astro and then he
has segued into an acting career.
He has been in shows like Hit the Top Steve Revenge.
My idea is Kongam Beauty rookie historian Kuhei Yong Island.
Good day to be a dog. This later the show who this
year he'll be in wonderful world.
Talk to me about Chaungu and how you feel about this man because
I said some things online recently.
Did you I? OK, well, before we before we
get to that 'cause I do want. To hear, I want to hear your
opinion first. OK what?
How do you feel about Chaunu? Like Chaunu, I probably feel the
same way as a lot of people, unless you are a hardcore fan
girl of Chaunu from Astro, but I I think he's obviously very,
very good looking, right? Oh yeah, he's stunning.
He's. Stunning.
He's a perfect and they obviously call him.
He has a perfect visual, right? If not, I feel like he is the
best looking Korean celebrity right When I see him I don't
know if acting is his Forte. I don't think singing or dancing
is his Forte either. But I think because he's so
smart, because he has like I know he's like he's he's got a
very high cue. He speaks English very well.
To considering like he's never studied English.
So I know he's got the brains and so for him to have brains
and locks, that's huge, right? I don't know if I consider him a
phenomenal actor or a phenomenal dancer or a singer and that, but
it's OK Like, we can forgive it because he's so good looking,
right? Because he's so pretty, he's.
So pretty. But you know what?
Can I say? Something Wonderful World,
Wonderful World. I have a feeling it's gonna show
a totally different side of him that I feel like might be like,
oh, wait a minute, OK, maybe he just wasn't doing the right
genre, you know what I mean? Because Wonderful World is a
melodrama. Slash matang kind of a drama.
Feel like, you know, and there's a lot of gonna be a lot of
crying from him. There's gonna be a lot of angst
and emotion. It might.
I don't know. I feel like it could be hit or
miss. I'm hoping it'll be a hit.
But yeah, I I totally like. I know everyone was saying for
ID Khannam Beauty. They're like if you saw ID
Khannam Beauty, you watch True Beauty.
I don't think that's true at all.
But it is similar. He did have similar.
I don't know should. We have this conversation now
Should we have this conversation?
I don't know. OK.
But anyways, I just wanted to mention it, but please tell me
what you said. OK, So what I said and this is
with all the love in my heart because I don't want to.
I don't wish I'll on him. Like I don't say this with any.
I don't say this with any malicious I'm always here to
have a good time. I'm always here to just like I'm
so curious so and I introed my take which what I did what I've
been doing on Tiktok Tiktok. Yeah.
Is just posting like rapid fire K drama thought, stray K drama
thoughts that I have and this one was pertaining to Child No
and this one was I said. Oh God, oh God.
Already. Like I already know it because
you had me at TikTok. If you're doing anything with
telling you on TikTok. It is.
It's like going into an alligator pen at feeding time.
So what I did. So I said I know it's stupid.
So I said again, I didn't. What'd you say?
Just say. It so I said, OK, OK, wait, A.
2nd. As I said, look, I I love Chao
and though he's so pretty, he's so high.
I think he's so it's like a perfect specimen, but but if he
doesn't, he doesn't have it by now, then he's just never going
to get it. So why don't we just cut our
losses and give him the modeling gigs and just stop giving him
these roles? Because by now, he's stealing
roles from other people that are definitely gunning for these big
tent pole like. So you went there?
Yeah, I did. Yeah, I went there.
So that was basically it. That was like, it was like 20
seconds. All hell broke loose in the
comments. It was.
It was as if I threw a grenade. And honestly, I didn't say he
was. I literally did not come out and
say he was a bad actor. I just said if he doesn't have
it by now. But people knew.
What you meant? I know, I absolutely I he's done
123-4567 roles and what? Six years, yeah.
It's been six years. He doesn't have it, OK, I can.
I can agree with that. I totally agree with it.
He's. Been given a lot of chances.
Did you watch A Good Day to Be a Dog?
I did not but. Here's what I heard.
This is, this is something. So while while we're here, this
is something that a lot of people were bringing up in the
comments, Oh people, you're just doing this for clout to like.
Yeah. OK, relax number one.
It's second of all people were saying.
It seems like you haven't watched all of his projects, so
I need to have watch all of his projects to have an opinion.
OK, I watched almost all of them except the sweet revenge one.
And he was playing a version of himself, a fictionalized version
of himself, in sweet revenge. And he was actually a delight.
Oh, is this the short one? The West.
OK, you know what? I think I might have watched
some clips of it on YouTube. Yeah.
OK. I do remember this.
You know what? Yes, That's why I I totally
agree. I think you have to be very
objective about this, right? It's not that deep.
It's not.
That deep he he doesn't have. He's not.
Yeah. He's not a natural born actor.
He is first an idol who became an actor and I totally.
But why? Why take away the projects from
him, Jess? I would want him to keep acting
like just keep doing your thing. What I'm saying is he's and
someone said this in the comment, I'm like, I'm going to
use this. Someone said he's better in
print and I was like, Oh my God, yes, he is so much.
Better. Is she OK?
You know, I would like him to sell me anything he can, just
not a plot. I know, I know.
Sell me cosmetics. You know what though?
We're talking Korea here. We're talking the entertainment
industry. Looks will get you so far.
Oh yeah. So far.
And it's gonna keep he's gonna keep riding that wave.
But I honestly, OK, I'm gonna give him the benefit of the
doubt here. Wonderful world.
OK. Yeah.
I am. I am hoping for him for that.
I'm hoping for so many people said that to you.
They were like, let's give him one more chance.
One more chance. No.
But you out of your mind? OK, alright, but to be?
Fair. All these other roles were very
like he was very typecasted into like, this ROM com kind of role.
OK, you know what? Let's just wait, you're.
So you're with that commenter. That's like.
I am the several commenters that I like.
You know what though? If wonderful Will was in the
picture, I would totally agree with you.
Or, but like would I? To the extent of saying no
dramas, period. I don't know.
I I wouldn't mind seeing him here and there, but like a good
day to be a dog. Oh man, that was like, I had
such high hopes for that one and it just it was his exact
character. Am I gonna have to lock my doors
after this? OK, so it was the exact
character. This is a safe space.
I can't guarantee what happens this airs.
But I'm just saying, you gotta be, you gotta be De Lulu to
think that he was not the same character in ID Kangnam and True
Beauty and a good day to be a dog.
Thank you. And like.
That's all I. Need.
You know what? You know what's weird?
You know, hit the top. I don't know if you watched
that. I haven't, but I've seen so many
clips and I'm like, he looks like he's doing, he's cooking in
that way he was. Great.
And I think it's because, and I feel like his vibe was a bit
different. I don't know if it's if it was
his first role. He was just like, oh, I'm just
going to do it just to do it. And like I'm, I'm not an actor,
so who cares? There was.
Something about it that I was like hold on and then everything
after downhill, downhill. Yeah, exactly.
So I have to give him cry for hit the Top to be honest because
was very different and. I I will agree with you.
And that's just based on all the clips that I've seen with him,
yeah. There wasn't much of a Mini, to
be honest. Like not.
The clips that I've seen are probably no.
That is actually pretty accurate.
But yeah, not much to analyze there.
But yeah, he was anyways one. Let's give him a chance.
One more chance. OK, wonderful world.
I have high hopes. OK, here is my assessment of him
really fast. Is that because because so many
people like came for my throat, I was like, well, maybe let me
stop, take a take a step back. So he has.
This is my assessment of his acting.
Oh God, why? Real, real fast.
Real fast is that Tao Nu has a standby mode and it's just
wooden, expressionless Chao Nu. Usually everything's going on,
all house breaking loose. He's he could be happy, sad,
whatever. It's the same.
But then when he really is is cooking, is when there's an
emotionally demanding scene. That is, he's has to cry.
And then I'm like, OK, there's something like he's sad and in
true beauty. There's scenes of that, like
when he's confronting his dad and he gets like heated and
emotional and he starts crying. That's when he's like, Oh my
God, something. You see a.
Glimmer. You see a glimmer of something?
OK, yeah, yeah. So that's exactly how I feel
about. OK, so we're a wonderful.
World, Yeah, that's exactly how I feel.
And I feel like that's why I think Wonderful World is going
to be good for him because there's going to, there is a lot
of crying from on his part judging from the preview, so.
Right. Yeah.
Like, I don't know what he taps into.
Yeah. But, and then I saw, and then
because people were invoking a good day to Be a dog as being
like a good outing for him. So I watched a bunch of clips of
a good Day to be a dog. Yeah.
So that's. I'm not.
I'm not the one that's bringing this up.
The people, the populace, the, the trolls on Twitter.
I'm not Twitter. The trolls on TikTok.
So I watched a bunch of clips and the ones that really worked
were the ones where he was crying and blubbering and
emotional. And I was like, OK, that's his
bag. Yeah, so that's why I think.
I think he just. Has been.
He's not a micro expression dude.
Like, he's not the person that's like, you're believing his
day-to-day, No? OK, give him also like a give
him a bad boy. Role, you know, I want to see
it. Give him a bad boy role where
he's angry and just hates the world and like give him a forget
the drama. Maybe give him like a Netflix
original or like a movie where he can swear and stuff, you know
what I mean? Yeah, and I think he wants that
especially. Because he just announced he
could do it, yeah. I think he could do it.
He just announced like his new album, right?
Or a new mini album or something like that.
The image is. He wants that.
Yeah, I definitely think he is. He wants to be a bad boy.
Yeah, I don't. Yeah, he doesn't want this clean
cut look. Yeah, So let's just wait because
he he's, I think it's going to be a bit of it in Wonderful
World, Like he rides a motorcycle.
He's got the leather jacket going.
I'm hoping for it. So let's hope this is like a
little step into the whole Bad Boy Challenge side.
Because I think so. Island was another one that
people were like this. Roland Island was amazing.
So I watched a bunch of clips of Island.
I'm doing my homework here, like people are like calling me out
for not watching his shit. And I'm like, fine.
So I watched a bunch of clips of Island, which I heard wasn't
that good. I'm not going to sit here and
watch an entire drama just to prove your point.
So watch clips. I was like, OK, I see a lot of
improvement here. But again, it's a it's a bad boy
priest, he. Does play priest which I thought
was like promising, right. Because like bad boy priest.
Like, that's so out of town news, like.
It's not. Yeah.
But yeah, I have a whole other
issue with that drama. But yeah, it's.
No, I'm sure I'm. Not going to say yeah, but
anyways, he. But acting, his acting was like
the whole thing of it. But that, that's my take on
Chalonnu. I will not be taking questions
about it. I will.
Not. I think it's fair, though.
I think it's fair, yeah. Like the criticism is fair.
It's fair. It's fair.
Yeah. I totally.
And I think anyone else would agree with you.
Any other. Sorry, like not to Lulu, you
know what I mean? I'd agree with you.
Yeah. Because here's the thing.
Taleno is here because he has pretty privilege. 100%.
And a lot of stars are here because they have pretty
privilege. But.
His looks is what put I hate to say it is.
His looks, though, helped propel Astro's fame.
Absolutely so. And I think even Astro knows
that to a certain extent. And and every time when when
China first started acting and going on variety shows for his
looks and all and getting invited, he was the only one
right that would get invited, which is awful.
But he even said my goal and dream is to make my group
popular and make my group successful.
And he did it. He did the job right because he
was always loyal to his group, right?
So got to respect that, got to respect the hustle.
He worked hard or didn't work so hard.
I don't know. Whatever.
All right. All right.
So let's, I guess, let's get back on track.
So, like his the second male lead of the show, let's talk
about him so. My heart.
Play Souljun and he's been in stuff like Tale of Milk Do 18
again. Sound of Magic Wire
Prefabricated family. So how do you feel about this
dude he like, is Absolutely. Perfection.
He's perfection.
I think he is like, honestly, I came for the ROM com vibes and I
honestly like hanging up, stole my heart and he still has my
heart. Like he's like, he's one of my
top, top favorites and true beauty.
You know, I always joke that it's the greatest K drama of all
time. Do you really?
Yeah, I kind of joke. Not really joking, though,
right? But I'm like kind of like, and
it's all because of hanging yolk.
Like, I absolutely loved him in this role.
I didn't expect it. When I saw it in the previous,
honestly, I was like, OK, whatever.
It's like, you know, it's a high school drama.
How, how much, you know, emotionally involved can I get?
And yeah, he totally won me over.
Wow. Everything about him but like
Sound of Magic Wiper. Oh God.
I I mean, he has a bit of a a the same thing going as Moon
Kayong where his best thing is. True, I know.
And I hate to 18 again. I don't know.
I love 18 again and until until no dude.
He was also amazing, but it was a very minor role.
But in 18, again, he played a similar role.
To be honest, he was like kind of like a bad boy bully, but you
know, not as like strong of a presence in that drama, but in
true beauty. Yeah, for me, he was the reason
that the show was so, so good in my opinion.
And it went. From good to great.
Yeah, I think if if Pineapp wasn't in the drama, I have to
say, I don't know if it would be, you know, that great to me
to be honest. I think he brings something, OK,
so he brings something different because I think he's, he's
older, right? He's older than the other two.
He's in his. I think he's much older.
He's much older, 32, yeah. 31 He's in his 30s, he got a much
later start than the other 2 and so I think that he is just
brings a different vibe to the show.
I liked the edginess of it. I think every high school drama
needs a bad boy, right? Like, I need some sort of, like
a a little bit of edge. And I think, yeah, I felt like,
you know, you know, the butterflies and the, you know,
whatever those feels are. I didn't get it so much from
Chaonu as I got it from hanging up.
And I'm being totally biased here, and I'm aware of that.
But yeah, the love lines, the love vibes with Chown New and
Munguang were like, we're cute, but I think the scenes with him
in it were a lot more impactful, you know?
So you had second lead syndrome? Yeah, totally.
Big time, yeah. But like, story of my life, like
always, always. I always like, yeah, it's always
a second lead for me. But yeah, I I thought he was
amazing in it. But yeah, it is the same thing
as Munguayang. I think this is his biggest
claim to fame. Like his Instagram following
went from like, it went to like from like.
I think it was under 500,000 followers because he was a
hardcore rookie and it went, it was catapulted to I think like 9
million in this series alone. And I think now he has, like, I
don't know exactly how many, but I just remember seeing it, and I
remember seeing it grow. And everyone was commenting
about how insane it was that it grew so quickly.
Yeah. And even to the extent where his
younger brother was like getting, he has like, yeah, my
God, hang up his 19.5 million followers.
Whoa, yeah. Which is insane, right?
And what has he done? For what?
What has he done for what I know?
Yeah, he he wasn't true beauty. Like, that's insane to me.
Right. OK, so when I watched True
Beauty, I did not get second lead syndrome.
I'm like one of the few that didn't get secondly, but I never
almost never get second lead syndrome.
Oh, really? OK, so you're the awesome to.
Me, Yeah. So I'm just immune, but I could
say I just thought he was the standout of the cast and I love
that bromance that happened between him and talent.
Agree, Agree. I did like.
I did like that a lot actually. Yeah, I think that was one of
the highlights like that was I put it in my notes actually for
like the one of the best parts. But yeah, maybe we'll get to
that after, but the bromance for sure.
Was well, let's get to it now. Like, what were some of the best
parts of the show for you? Like this I guess goes we
already know that you love the show.
So I'm not going to ask you like what do you think of the show
greatest, but what were some of the best parts for you?
So for the best parts for OK, obviously it was a hanging Yelp
scenes. I I liked all the little, I
don't know if we're gonna go like super detailed.
But there were certain scenes where where hanging up was like
going to confess to Mungayang, like they were eating food and
then he wanted to say something. And she was kind of like, you
know, oblivious to it, you know, those little parts also when
they're doing the photo shoot and they're getting really close
with her. And then, you know, he's like,
obviously, like totally in love with her.
No, he's whipped. Yeah, and like just like, yeah,
everything about that whole relationship, you know when she
was doing the, when he first fell in love with her, the whole
like RAR, you know, like he was, she was like a sake, she was
making fun of his underwear and she was doing the tiger sounds
and then he like totally fell in love with her and he's like, can
you do it again? Then he's asking for it.
Yeah. And I was like, oh, it's just so
sweet. You know?
There isn't anything like that with Mungayang and Chow Nu's
character. Inside jokes.
Yeah. And even at the end when he's,
like saying, oh, when he, like, kind of decides to, like, let
her go, I just felt so much more emotional about it, you know?
But yeah, so like, all obviously the highlights were that.
But I also loved. I don't know if you remember
means him these characters. So it's like her sister
Yungayung sister. Yeah.
I it was. She's the best.
Yeah. I love her.
I did another video of of her about her on TikTok because I
think she's such a highlight. Love.
OK, so like, after the show aired, I I remember I did some
sort of, like live on my on my Instagram, and I was totally
riding the emotional wave. But I put her as like one of my
top five favorite Korean actresses, Just 'cause I think
she's so like, I feel like she's just like a ray of sunshine in
the drama. I appreciated her romance.
I it was a little goofy and it was a little, The whole show was
silly. It was, it was like, put the
eyebrows, though, with the guy with her, you know, her love
interest. Was embarrassed, was embarrassed
because his eyebrows were non existent, basically.
And so he had to get a tattooed, right?
I don't know. I was like, what?
What is this? Yeah, yeah.
But I loved her like how she was so open with her love for him.
And she was so she was the one chasing him, right?
Yeah, the. Gender flaw?
Exactly, exactly So I loved, loved, loved her character.
So she was a highlight for me for sure in the series.
Yeah, like, she changes this tire and she's very, she's sort
of forthcoming and she knows what she wants and she's a go
getter. And she has this wonderful,
thriving career. And she had no beef with her
younger sister, loved her unconditionally and sort of was
a nice addition to the family that was like no animosity
there. And I love that about the sister
that she was just like. No issues.
Also like when she would show up drunk and like you know and chow
and it was like what's wrong with your sister?
Like this is so so like reckless but like, yeah, I I appreciated
her character was so down to earth.
But yeah it was it was, it was good to see.
I also liked her father. The role really, I kind of did
because it was, it was kind of a reflection of what she was going
through. Like because he was supposed to
be the eye candy. Yeah.
Out of the him and the mom, right.
The mom is supposed to be the non quote UN quote ugly.
Yeah, quote UN quote ugly one. And he's like all the women
think he's so good looking. So I was like, this is kind of
like what the daughter's going through, right.
Because she's with this really, really handsome guy who like
loves her unconditionally. I don't know.
I just thought it was really cute.
But I liked, I like Paco Zan, though.
Like, I like his him as an actor, and he usually plays like
kind of more edgier roles. So this was very, very.
He was, oh God, what's he? Prison Playbook.
Yes, he was with. The list with the list, yeah.
And then I think, was he a brother in my Mr. in the
Brothers? Oh, he was, Yes.
Yes, that was. That was also a big one.
I forgot about that one. Yeah.
I really like him a lot. So for me a lot of the same
stuff for me. But let me see, I had like there
was a lot of scenes in like like obviously the the second male
lead rocking out and his boxers in the bathrobe to Okie Dokie O
like that's iconic and funny. The This sounds terrible, but I
think it's Episode 10 them getting hit by the car Or is it?
Is it a car or bus? I vaguely remember that, yeah,
that's why they ended up in the hospital.
That's why they ended up in the hospital.
That is hysterical. To me, OK, yeah, I thought it
was cute with them in the hospital, like how they had to
help. Each other.
Oh, my God, We're going into spoiler chair.
Hold on, hold on, are we? Sorry.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, no, no, no, I know.
So what we'll do is we're gonna pick back up right here after
the spoiler bumper. OK, OK, OK.
But but why don't you give me your your score?
Like out of five soju bottles? Like, how?
What would you rate true beauty? I think I know the answer.
You know what though? OK, I have this thing OK where I
I have my favorite K dramas of all time.
I have with like my favorite traumas of all time from my
heart. From your heart, OK.
And then from like realistic, like from my head, you know,
like. I know I'm following you.
Do you get? What?
I mean like I have the ones that I'm like, oh, these are
masterpieces. Like perfectly done.
Can I wash them again? No, never.
Once was enough. But it was absolute perfection.
And then I have from my heart where I'm like, I love this
drama for no reason. It's not that deep.
Like, everyone will disagree with me, but I still like, I
will recommend it till the end. You know what I mean?
Like, so if I had to be totally from my heart, it would be,
yeah, give it, give it five out of, give it 10 out of five,
right. Like, it's the greatest.
Like I said, it's the greatest K drama of all time.
Speaking from my heart, right. And this is from somebody who's
watched K dramas since the day I could walk because of my mom,
right? So, like, I've watched crap ton
of K dramas. But again, a lot of it has to do
with my infatuation with hanging up, right?
But yes, five out of five. But like, and it's not that
deep. So if I had to like grade it
from my, like, you know, rational standpoint, I'd still
give it still like a four 4.5 out of five, OK, you know?
What I mean So for me, I this when I watched it, I really
liked it. It came after I watched Move to
Heaven, so I really needed a light K drama.
Wow, that's perfect. I feel like that's a perfect,
like balance. So I've watched it.
Yeah. So I watched it.
And I was like, oh, this is like, just what I needed.
I needed like a turn your brain off K drama.
And that's what this is. However I can, I have to be
honest. Like, now that we're here and
we're being honest and I just like Roasted Child.
Though it took me 3 days to rewatch episode one.
Oh, OK. So I cannot say that this is
rewatchable for me. I don't think that this is a
favorite of mine at all. When I'm recommending dramas to
people, I almost never recommend true beauty.
And I can positively nailed down all the flaws that are like and
I will name the flaws actually like when we get into the
spoiler section too, if you'll allow me.
Yeah, I actually have a couple too.
OK, perfect. So we'll have like a little
section where we can roast your beauty for like a couple of
minutes. Yeah.
So I will say that it for me it's like a 3 1/2.
OK. That's not fair.
Yeah, three and a. Half pair.
Yeah. And you know what's funny?
I get it. Yeah, like it.
It's fine. Like I.
Get it? Yeah, I totally get it.
Yeah, yeah, so that's me. But we are going to pick up on
the car crash right after this. Excuse me.
I can't turn. I can't turn up.
Yeah, No. I have no tango.
Oh, sorry. Swear this crossing.
Shit. What?
OK, we're on the other side of spoilers, so anything goes.
Anything went before 'cause I think we just kind of figured
everybody, everyone and their mom has seen true beauty.
So this is kind of a free flowing episode.
It is definitely a Kay rambles this time around.
But what I found hysterical was that car crash scene because
they had, they put them on I think wires and telling them was
like he had his back arched and he was flying through the air.
Oh my God. Hysterical.
I could not get enough of that scene.
It's so stupid it. Is I actually like I think I
remember seeing the behind the scenes and I remember thinking
oh I didn't remember being that like I don't like that dramatic
do. You know what I mean?
But it came out of nowhere, right?
Like the dramatic nature of it, it literally came out of nowhere
and that's why it took a lot of people by surprise.
And it it's totally, totally different from this, like the
rest of the show. It is very different but the
after effects of it. No, because then you have these
great hospital scenes and more bromance between the two of
them, Sojun and Suo. And there's that scene, My
favorite one of them too in the hospital is I think it was.
I was doubled over laughing when soju needs to, he needs help to
pee. And Sewell like he jumps on the
phone as if to call for a nurse's help, like to get a
nurse to help him to pee, but instead he dead ass requests to
have his room changed. And I was like, Oh my God.
I didn't even pick up on that. So you were like, you're led to
believe that he's asking for help, but he's like, you got to
Get Me Out of here. He's like, can I get my room,
Jake? I was like, Oh my God, that's so
good. But also not surprising
considering no. Yeah.
No. Yeah.
No. So, yeah.
So you had the hospital reconciliation.
You have high jinks, I think. I think the female leader also
like hides under his cover like. Oh yeah, that's right.
Cover. I remember that.
Point Yeah. So that's all in there as well.
Mm hmm. There's a cameo like early in
episode 4 from the. It was like Ichiuk and Kimayun
from Extraordinary UI. Remember that?
Yeah. And they're in character from
Extraordinary U as well. So that was fun.
Because of the director. Yeah, OK, same director.
So that makes a lot of sense. What other comedy is there?
Those. Oh, she did like a huasa dance
early on in the show. I don't remember that for some
reason. She she thought she was on some
sort of like an elimination. No, not like a a talent show.
OK. But she ended up dancing in
front of the teachers and it was like a very sensual.
I I don't know why I do know. I remember that.
Oh, OK, so this happened like early on in the show?
For some reason it doesn't ring a bell, but.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oops.
Yeah. And I mean, there's a lot of
comedy. Like, even in episode one,
there's a ton of things. There is like, I feel like there
was a lot of stuff that was very over the top that it's so it
didn't really surprise me. But I know this is like totally
not about the comedy part, but like the 1 downer I feel like.
One downer I will. When we get into the roasting of
this, I feel like there's a lot of down.
I have one main one, but OK, all right.
OK, go. We'll get there.
Go. For it.
Yeah, it's fine. It's fine, OK.
So like, my my thing is like, I really didn't like the
Mungayong's friend Chung's friend Kung Zujin.
So she's like she was the overture.
Was it the natural beauty? Yeah, I guess so, I guess.
I did air quotes when I said that no one can see that, but I
did air quotes. But yeah, the one that she liked
Suho as well and she was always competing with Suho because she
was getting you know crapped on by her dad at home, right.
We're not getting good enough grades.
I I did not like her character and I thought she was like
ruining the whole feel good vibe of the show.
Like, I just. I'm so sick of the girl best
friends. Like being turning out to be so,
like, not great. You know what I mean?
It's a. Cliche.
It's a cliche. I don't like it.
I feel like, why does she have to be so mean to everybody else
if she's going on through, like going through all this stuff in
real life? I just wanted to be the
supportive, like really good best friend, you know, like.
And it was just sad to see that, you know, she was trying, you
know how she took Isuo's cap or whatever.
And then like hugging or not really hugging, but like there
were, you know? Yeah, she was like, actively
trying to get. Get with him, yeah.
And to separate them and a foster miscommunication.
And exactly. That he was like, close to her
and all of this stuff. Right.
And I was like, this is just not a girl's girl.
And not like, Oh yeah, she's not a girl's girl.
No, I just. I didn't like that at all.
So that was frustrating. And then she's the one who blows
a little out, blows the lid open on the secret that she is A2
faced person that junky on has. Oh.
Right. That's right.
At the camp or whatever I think it was.
Was it happening? I thought she like, posted to
the forum. Oh yeah.
OK, OK. OK.
Of her getting bullied. Yeah.
At the first school. And so now everyone knows that
she's. This doesn't make sense.
That literally doesn't make sense that people are upset that
she's wearing makeup. They're like, you're lying.
It's makeup. I know, but like.
A lot of the stuff here in this show was like, are you serious
Like. Oh, no, it's it's.
It's like a Clark Kent, the Superman thing.
It's like, OK, glasses with glasses, without glasses.
And it's like, for real. Like, for real.
Yeah. And it's like they're like you
have. Bad skin and you lied about it.
It's like. Did I?
Yeah. And also, like without, you
know, people with acne probably know, but you can have hundreds
of pounds of makeup on your face.
You're still going to see acne, right?
Like the? The texture.
Thing. Yeah, exactly.
But for her, it's like photoshopped.
It's magically gone, right? I'm like, I don't care how good
you are at makeup. It's not, you know, so.
Don't work like that, babes, You know?
OK, so I guess we're we're veering into this territory
anyway, but like, what are some of the problems that you have?
What's the true beauty? So, you know, I don't have that
many issues with it. And I did mention the whole
sister, the sismance, like not being there.
Another very, very, very small small thing.
I didn't like the soundtrack, like, or I didn't care.
I didn't, I didn't care for the soundtrack, sorry.
Not that I didn't like it. I loved I loved Sojun singing
like hanging UPS. You know that song and I
remember playing it over. He does.
It's fantastic perfection. He can do no wrong.
But the overall OST I it's not something I listen to like I've
never gone back to it to be like or if I were to hear you know
how like certain OST you hear the beginning and you're like oh
you know like Goblin is. Takes you right back.
Yeah, huge, right? It's like monumental, right?
For this, there's not a single song where I can hear the first
few notes and be like, what? What is this like?
I'd be like, Oh my God, this is true beauty.
I feel like they could have invested a bit more on the
soundtrack, a little bit and it could have like or like.
It adds to the scenes like none of that, you know, Like, I just,
I felt like it was lacking in that sense.
And I don't know this is a total like nitpick, but.
No, no. Like, I'm a nitpick queen and
I'll roast everything. Like, I people know this by now,
but I'm an equal opportunity roaster.
I will roast. Everything like my favorites,
things that I. Oh, I'm like that too though.
Plus, like the things that I absolutely love.
I can roast everything. I can roast my ultimate bias,
which is home drinky till, like, the cows come home.
I can do it all week. Like I can roast them.
Yeah, I can tell that's a whole other episode.
This is this is maturity. It is.
It is, you know. Yeah, it is.
It totally is. I I can't.
I can't. I don't vibe with people who are
who think their bias or favorite group is perfect.
Oh yeah, because it it doesn't exist.
Right. And but there's been certain
situations where I've been like, Oh my God, these people are
these certain fandoms are crazy where they think that you know.
But that's for another another episode.
Yeah. Another.
Yep.
No, we'll leave that for another day.
So let's talk about how I think true beauty is overrated.
So the I didn't think that. Come on.
We'll just leave it at that. We'll just leave it at that, but
it's. Underrated.
I'm kidding. I OK, so I don't like how Ju
Kyung is, or rather, Mung Kyung's portrayal of the female
lead. She sounded Ikio like the whole
time. OK, I do agree.
I hated the baby boy she kept. Grazing.
As if she was a little girl. I just hated it.
Hated it, hated it. It is so grinding and it's 16
episodes long. Why is it 16 episodes?
It could have been 12 the last two episodes.
What the hell is going on in those filler episodes we got to
talk about? I mean, I don't know if we have
to necessarily sit here and like dissect it, but the whole thing
of Sewell's father having a sudden stroke which sends him
flying off the scene literally, plus the two year time jump
radio silence for two years. From Can I?
Let me give you some context though.
This the web, so you know it was a web tune.
Yeah, it is so long. No, it's long.
It was ongoing. It was.
Ongoing. Scary.
Yeah, I think it ended recently. I'm pretty sure it was like it
ended recently. There are some things that I
found out recently because I was talking about to some drama
friends about true beauty and they so one of them had read the
Rep the web tune and they told me some things and I was
shocked, shocked, shocked to my core.
So Suho is gone for two years and I was saying how the hell
does the second male lead and true beauty blow A2 year lead?
Yeah, I know. I know.
How? The hell does he blow A2 year
lead? It's not real it all.
Happens. It's not realistic that they
never they never get together. And just when Suo comes back is
when he finally works up the nerve to confess to Jew kill.
That doesn't make a lick of sense, so my friend said.
But they do date in the. Oh, that's right.
They do date. I do remember.
When Suho is gone. Yes, yes.
They date and I was like I was on the.
I like sliding down the walls. I was like, this changes
everything. This changes everything.
Why the hell wouldn't they do that in the show?
I know, I I feel like for drama writers, it's just that that one
factor of the second lead can never be with the female lead.
It literally. It didn't make sense to me.
It's the. Formula, you know, because they.
Made it so easy for you to push it in that direction because he
was already buddy buddy with the family.
I think he was sleeping over her house or something like that,
like he was in ingrained. I'm I would have been here for
it totally. But I do remember, because I was
so obsessed with the drama, I went online and I read the
webtoon. And then I read it for a bit
after the show. And I was like, oh, OK, so I
don't know, Like, I know that there were certain things that
they didn't incorporate, but I think they needed a foreclosure.
No, for the They couldn't have like, Oh yeah, unless they did
another season or which I would have been here for, you wouldn't
have, but I would have been here for another.
It just didn't like. I think it could have been 12
episodes and you could have kept that giant ass like they dated
for two, for two years or or for some.
Don't you think you would have had to like prolong though?
Like a longer? More episodes?
No, just one episode you needed of them dating.
Yeah. OK, that's.
Fair of her. Kind of like you see their
relationship and how she's maybe she's with him, but she's not
like with him, with him like she is with Suo.
And you see like the differences in there, how they comport
themselves together. You do get a glimpse of it, you
know, when she's drunk and all the friends.
Call him. And he shows up, and there's.
That and that's when you think, Oh my God, they're together.
That was the cliffhanger because they had the episode.
And then she, like, leans on him.
Yeah. He has like his arm around her.
And she leans on him. Yes.
And then she, like, looks up at him like, and they're about to
like it looks like they're about to kiss or something.
And then, like, yeah, I told her I remember that it was.
A So then they were like, psyched They're not together.
Psyched. He still hasn't confessed to
her. He's still in the friend zone.
And you're like, what the what is this even like?
It's just all over the place. So in the webtoon they were
actually dating the there was like a YouTube, like a famous
YouTube that she learned all of her makeup prowess from.
OK. I think her name was Selena, and
at the end of the show she's like working for that brand, for
the makeup brand. OK, that is Suho's sister in the
webtoon. In like real life or.
In the webtoon. Oh, that like that woman.
That oh, the younger sister. The younger sister.
Is Suho's sister. And I was like, Oh my God again,
that blew my mind. And I was like, why?
Why don't we do that? Why don't?
Why don't we have that? Because in the drama, true Young
does her makeup and makes her kind of like pretty and stuff
right in the drama. No, I'm saying suho like Taunu.
Oh, wait a minute. He didn't have a sister in the
drama. Exactly.
OK, but no way. Now I'm thinking a Sojun sister
would have made more sense, no? No.
OK.
Anyway, Sojun had the younger sister who was also struggling
with acne. And right right image issues.
And was also getting bullied. But wouldn't have made more
sense for her to grow up and start this huge thing and then
like, OK, OK, because Sue, that's so random.
Suho's sister like having a makeup.
Yeah, that Suho's sister was the one that had this, like, beauty
empire. OK, that helped like.
Find her. Look, yeah.
Yes. Right, OK.
And so you wanted that, you wish they had that in.
Drama. I was like, what?
Why are we doing these misconnections?
So that was another thing. And then the other thing I think
was like, why is the stunningly beautiful channel News doesn't
care about? Looks like he's like an anomaly
that he does not give a shit about looks.
And for the second male lead you have an explanation.
Like his sister is also struggling with body image
issues. He has this like adorable sister
who also has acne and he loves her to death and he has no
issues with that. And so that you can see how that
affects his reasoning and that how he views other people, how
he views to kill for a Talanu, there's no such thing.
And in fact, he's buddy, buddy with like idols.
So you've kind of should think that he has more emphasis on how
people should look. I see.
OK. So you don't think it's
realistic that? He That's not realistic.
But in the webtoon they they explain it.
They explain it all. He is his background.
He's half Japanese, Korean, half Korean and he was bullied from a
young age because of that. So now because of that he
determines like physical appearance as meaningless.
Which is why he falls for Shu Young.
Right. So, like, that's his reasoning
for like why he doesn't care about.
So you needed it to be more deep.
Well, it's character development.
It's part of his like foundation.
But I I don't know. I feel like with suho.
Otherwise, it's just this little fairy of a man walking around
doesn't care about appearances, even though he is literally like
an Adonis. I know it doesn't make sense.
Yeah, so you needed that little bit of like a little bit of a
background, yeah, to get his character.
Yeah. OK, I I would have wanted more
of Sojun's background. That's good, but you love the
2nd. Medley.
I know, I know, I know. See this whole Suho and Chuyong
and dynamic stuff. I'm just like.
Yeah, so I went deep into my drama list to look at why 'cause
the You can leave. People leave reviews, right?
Oh yeah, did you go through them?
Went through them. Oh my God girls, I don't think I
ever read the reviews. My God, they are so funny.
Because I would be. Curious.
I would be curious. They started roasting this show
so in valid ways too. Valid ways.
So people were like it was okay the setup with the male lead
tormented over a friend's death and the female leads appearance
were basically pointless. As soon enough this settles into
standard fare. 1 pedestrians. Less car accident despite all
the time in the world to avoid it.
Check love triangle. Worse, worse center is oblivious
In this case the female lead. Check me and mom suddenly
overcome with grief when learning of child's hardships.
Years too late and suddenly all is forgiven.
Check. Character disappears overseas
for an extended time and returns with the no advance word?
Check. Pointless breakup?
Check. Hospital visit due to
gastrointestinal issue? Check.
Third wheel heroically gives up and helps main leads get back
together after being annoying the entire show?
Check. Best friend betrayal to return
later to allow lead to forgive To show how wonderful the lead
is? Check.
You know what's crazy? OK, it's formulaic.
Yeah. Hearing.
OK hearing this though and the reason why I don't really read
the my drama, this is totally off tangent right?
But like, I feel like the way Koreans see K dramas are so
different from the way international people see K
dramas. Oh, great point.
You know why? Because international people,
when they see K dramas, they can dissect it and analyze it.
But for Koreans, it's like, it's good.
It's entertaining. They don't really think of like,
the whole, like, they don't dig deeper.
Yes, they don't because it's it's a way of it's
entertainment, it's everyday, right?
If I was an international person and I can kind of do this
because I I guess I can do this with J Dramas and C dramas, I
can be like, what? Why?
Why is that like a thing or you know what I mean?
But I think for an international perspective, I can see why these
things would be like, OK, it's so dumb.
It's the same reason why people hate on airs and why people hate
on boys over flowers. It's exact same thing.
True beauty is under that category.
It is in. Fact, it's very similar to boys.
That's why exactly. And that's why I always say
this. It is not, I promise you, K
dramas are not that deep. They are not that deep, right.
There's. So many there's.
So. People said in my the same
cliche and boring story. This drama has nothing new,
neither fresh. It was funny, but that was their
strongest point. Yeah, the tropes overtake actual
story investment. Totally.
Are you? Yes.
Are you kidding me? But to be fair, all K dramas are
founded in tropes I've been watching.
Yeah, like I can tell you the first K drama I watched when I
was like, I don't know, 6-7 years old is in terms of formula
and tropes is exactly the same as a K drama you would watch
now, but it's just that more people are watching it.
You know what I mean? Because it works.
But we are getting to because things, thanks to Netflix, we
are getting to K dramas that are more out of the cookie cutter,
which is like squid game and death's game.
You know, like those kind of dramas that are for like have
never been done before. Right.
But again, this is for another conversation.
But I that's why, like, when I see the reviews, I'm just always
like, oh man, it's because, yeah, they they didn't grow up
with K dramas or, you know, aren't part of the Korean
culture. So, you know, it's easy to
analyze it. Right?
But Koreans don't do that. They don't really analyze movies
or K dramas to that extent where it's like, Oh my God, I'm so
sick of this. I'm like, this is so overdone.
They're so quick to just, like, watch it and just watch it for
entertainment purposes. Not even like, you know what I
mean? Not as a critic does that make
sense, right? But if you're like watching from
the outside, you're like, you can critique it because you're
not. It's not part of your culture
kind of a thing. Absolutely.
And I would say I would categorize true beauty as like a
guilty pleasure. Totally.
It's it's like a it's like America's version of love is
blind or whatever. You know what I mean?
It's like because Korean doesn't really have like variety shows
or guilty pleasures. They are getting more so now
with the reality shows. But yeah, it's a total, like
just mindless, just watching it for the sake of watching it, you
know? But yeah, it's not like up there
to be like this is, this is up for, it's just gonna be
nominated for an Emmy, you know what I mean?
It's not up for that kind of like deep discussion.
Yeah, yeah. And I think that the problem is
that there's, to me, there's levels of like ROM coms, and
there's really good ROM coms that are so smart and sexy and
fun. And then there's some that are
just like really baseline, like it's guilty pleasure, a lot of
tropes, and they're not really done well and there's nothing
new to add. And the people can't act very
well and like, but there's something about it that you're
just like, I could shut my brain off and watch this at 3:00 AM
and, like, fall asleep. Totally.
And that's what true beauty is. And if that's what you're in the
mood for, then great. But if that's not what you're in
the mood for, then you know, so be it.
Like that's fine. If you're looking for like, you
know to critique something you know squid game or you know
something like very, there's. High High Art and High Cinema K.
Dramas now. And then there's True beauty.
So, but I think a lot of like that being said, I think a lot
of people were impressed by the production value on True Beauty
when it came out. And like the high quality CG
scenes. And like, like they have her.
Like flying through the sky with a blue screen behind her.
Like in front of a blue screen when she's learning how to do
makeup. And she's, I think I remember
that. And then all the makeup makeup
in the background, like, yeah, OK, OK, I.
Like the graphics and stuff. The way that her room is like an
intense set of in and of itself, because she's like a closet
horror manga fan. Maybe not closet horror manga,
but her room is just like horror aesthetic Barbie horror,
basically. OK, I OK, I totally forgot about
that. But she was into like the they
were both into horror manga, right?
Kind of. Yeah, I mean, I don't believe
that for a second. But OK, that's fine.
Fine. Sure.
What else? I think the message gets lost.
Like the inner beauty is more important than external beauty
that gets lost. I I think the overarching, like
how they even got to know each other how they met was because
she was on the rooftop and about to commit suicide and then the
boys are on the outs because of their a friend committing
suicide. And this whole thing like that
is very serious and they don't take it that serious in the
show. It gets completely lost and
overshadowed by like this love triangle and the totally at the
school. I think that's like totally.
I think that's in poor taste to be honest in very poor taste.
So but that's also. Also Korea, right?
Very. Then we can get into social
commentary about the culture and their perspectives on mental
health. Period.
Right. But yeah, yeah, yeah, totally.
For sure. But all to say, yeah, like we
always come back to it, but it's it's not a it's a total light
hearted watch. Right.
It is. It is.
And again, I don't hold any animosity towards these actors
for, you know, having one hit, being one hit wonders or having
like no skills. But that's why, you know, that's
fine. They at least they're they have
a career and they're making bank and.
And it's entertainment. At the end of the day, it's
entertaining, right? Like whether it's good or bad,
it's entertaining, right? Like, you know, you're, yeah,
you're kind of like, oh, how is this going to go like And even
that's kind of like fun. I don't know.
Yeah. Two closing questions for you.
Is True Beauty a modern classic? No.
No, it's not. Why?
Why do you feel it's not a modern?
Because it can't be taken seriously and like I said, like
this is. It can't, no.
It can't. Be it.
Can't be this isn't going to solve any issues.
It's not going to, yeah, it's not going to make people's lives
better, Defining better, right. And like I said, this is, I
always joke about it, right? That this is the greatest K drum
of all time. Same reason why I joke about
airs. Like I don't care what people
say. Airs was a phenomenon in Korea
at the time. So whether you love it or not,
it was massively in terms of brand, in terms of act.
Like everything. All the above.
It was huge at the time. Oh my God, everyone.
Yeah, And whether. I feel about it.
Yeah. An icon is an icon.
Exactly. So like is true beauty.
I don't even say true beauty can be up to par with airs, to be
honest, because it wasn't as big as airs as it was in Korea at
the time. But yeah, I don't think it's a
classic. I definitely don't think it's
it's gonna people are going to be writing about it when it
comes to best key dramas of all time.
But in terms of tugging out in my heartstrings, it being a ROM
com doing its job of like, you know, being having lots of
visual eye candy and you know, being predictable and having all
those heartfelt scenes, like, I think it did its job.
But yeah, it's not a classic. It's not a ROM com classic.
For sure. What do you think makes true
beauty so special? What is the secret to its
enduring appeal? Why is it #1 on Vicky?
OK. When you say it like that, like
I have like first thing, you know, I was like nothing really,
nothing really. And I can be cheerful about
this. There's nothing really.
I think that makes it special per SE.
I just think it's got like, OK, so the reason why it's number
one on Vicky is obviously Chao Nu and Huang Ying Yu up.
That's the reason why. OK like Chaonu is an
international phenomenon and hanging up has become an
international phenomenon, right? And I feel like over the years,
it's just a K drama that people will, that new K drama watchers
will watch. So if you're new K drama
Watcher, it's on your list of K dramas to maybe watch or not
watch whatever, but it's on your list, right?
And so, like, I feel like people are continuing to watch it and
people are re watching it because it's just such a
mindless show that you can just put on.
And for me, when I'm going through a K drama, I'll just put
it on in the background when I'm doing stuff.
Like it's just that kind of a K drama, you know what I mean?
But what makes it special, girl? I don't know.
But you know what? Like, OK, if I can be very
rational about it, it's got a lot of elements that me as a
girl who is a huge fan of ROM Coms like about ROM com.
So like the whole, you know, the makeover aspect love that.
Like I I've watched lots of American movies where you know
the makeover is fun to watch. I know it's like superficial,
but it's it's fun like she's starting over.
She was bullied. She was very self-conscious.
And now she's like, I'm going to like, you know, do what I have
to do to be the best version of myself.
And that for her was makeup. So, like, I love that makeover
part. And you're meeting the popular
guy in school, you know, which is like an American version, I
guess captain of the football team or something, you know.
So there's all these little things that like, you can't help
but feel it makes you feel good, right.
At the end of the day, exact reason why you would like any
other ROM com. So I think this hits all of the
tropes, yes. But it's kind of comforting in
that sense, you know? Yeah, because it does hit those
tropes and you know what to expect.
I like that. I like that.
Answer. So maybe it is a bit special,
but you know, not that deep. It's.
It depends on each person I guess, and what they glean from
it, because I think we've all every person has that moment
where they're like, I think I want to change for the better.
And in this case, like her impetus was, she was bullied
mercilessly. And I don't think she
necessarily wanted to change before this inciting incident in
episode one, which was extremely cruel, which is really sad.
I think the makeover aspect is really aspirational because I
think we all want to be the best version of ourselves.
And she, you know, she does take start taking better care of
herself and better care of her skin and she's using, you know,
the face masks and stuff, but besides also using cosmetics and
learning how to do our makeup and stuff right.
So it is sort of a self-care aspect.
Is is brought into play here. Yeah, it's a Wellness, right?
Like. Wellness.
Totally agree. But he is.
She is also at the same time super infantile and naive and
she like doesn't like understand social cues and like it's it's
bizarre. So a lot of like different
things like at play here, because I think we all want to
be very insulated like she is, but be beautiful as well inside
and out like she is. Yeah, yeah, totally agree.
And get like chow no as well so. Knight in shining armor.
That's another thing. The knight in shining armor,
right? You.
Come Absolutely. Saves her like she's getting
bullied. He puts the hat on her, right?
I know. Yeah, she has a face full of
cake and her makeup is about to, like, slide off.
And he. Covers her with his jacket.
Come on. It's cute.
It's cute, she. Said, Yeah, whatever.
So thank you so much for coming on and talking about your
favorite show of all time, the best new drama of all time, Bina
Masterpiece. Can you quote that?
Masterpiece Chen Chen I had such a great time equally hyping the
show up as much as we roasted it and this was so much fun.
I hope you'll come back on. Where can we find you online,
Bina? So I am most active on
Instagram. My handle is Bina Hearts.
I'm also here and there on TikTok, but mostly Instagram and
you can find me also on Soompi and K Pop Map and you mentioned
those links. Yes, yes.
I I find myself going back to different Soompi articles and
I'm like, I wonder who wrote that.
It's beena. And it's so much fun to see see
you online like so much and see how much you've affected all of
this content that is like so comforting.
And like these, it's it's you're such an indelible part of like,
the K drama community. So I'm so glad that I finally
got you on Tibac. This has been so much fun.
So that's it. Until next time, this has been
our show. I'm Jessica and this has been
the Tibac K Rambles podcast. And oh, I'm giving it up
tonight. I'm in the mood for chance.
I feel like the sun. Oh so come on at home inside the
sun. I'm in the mood thing, So let
the music play. I'm in the grouping so good.