My ID Is Gangnam Beauty To True Beauty, 4 Korean Dramas That Deal With Love And Insecurities: K-Obsessed

From high school romances to workplace dramas, the theme of beauty insecurities often runs deep. These Korean dramas not only entertain but also provide valuable lessons on accepting oneself and understanding that true beauty comes from within.Here are some popular Korean dramas that beautifully blend the complexity of love and personal insecurity:

4 Best Korean Dramas That Explore Love And Insecurities

1. 'She Was Pretty'

'She Was Pretty' is a heartwarming yet comedic series that dives deep into the emotional rollercoaster of love and insecurities. The story revolves around Kim Hye-jin (played by Hwang Jung-eum), who was once considered a beauty in her youth but lost her looks after growing up due to personal struggles. Upon reuniting with her childhood friend, Ji-Sung joon (played by Park Seo-joon), she is embarrassed to reveal her changed appearance and hides behind a persona. According to IMDb, “When Ji Sung-Joon was young, he was ugly. As he grew up, he began to have an attractive appearance. “When Kim Hye-Jin was young, she was pretty. As she grew up, she became ugly. Ji Sung-joon tries to find his first love.” The K-drama addresses how Hye-jin's insecurities affect her self-worth, personal and love life, and highlights how love and acceptance are often intertwined.

2. ‘My ID is Gangnam Beauty’

‘My ID is Gangnam Beauty’ directly tackles the issues of plastic surgery and the societal pressures tied to beauty standards starring Im Soo-hyang and Cha Eun-woo. The protagonist, Kang Mi-rae, undergoes surgery to transform her appearance and gain the confidence she never had. However, even with her newfound beauty, she deals with insecurities, as her self-worth is still dictated by external validation. According to the Netflix synopsis, “Bullied for her looks, Mi-rae gets plastic surgery hoping for a better kind of life but faces new challenges in college.” The drama shows how love can blossom when a person learns to embrace themselves, flaws and all.

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3. ‘True Beauty’

Based on the Line Webtoon of the same title by Yaongyi, ‘True Beauty’ is another K-drama that explores the impact of beauty insecurities, particularly in the context of social media and high school culture. As per IMDb, “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,” is the main plot of the story. As the drama goes on, ‘True Beauty’ delves into the theme of self-acceptance and reveals that true beauty comes from within. The drama stars Moon Ka-young, Cha Eun-woo, Hwang In-youp, and Park Yoo-na in the main role.

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4. ‘Oh My Venus’

In 'Oh My Venus', the storycentres around a lawyer who struggles with body image and self-confidence after gaining weight. It stars So Ji-sub and Shin Min-a in the main roles and has beautiful chemistry. According to IMDb, “A lawyer in her thirties coming out of a long relationship decides to regain her figure and health after meeting a renowned personal trainer who obsesses with leading a healthy lifestyle after suffering a serious injury in his childhood.” As the drama unfolds, her journey becomes more about finding her inner strength and learning to love herself for who she truly is, regardless of her appearance. The romantic angle in the Korean drama is refreshingly honest, showing how love can bloom when someone learns to embrace themselves fully.

These Korean dramas tackle the problems that beauty standards can take on individuals, especially in romantic relationships.

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Image credit: IMDb