5 Ugly Duckling K-Dramas To Fix Your Self-Esteem
It’s not always in the looks.
When it comes to K-dramas, it's always hard to find one where the main characters don't meet the strict beauty standards of the Korean entertainment industry. Yet somehow there is a huge market for dramas that explore the "ugly duckling" trope.
If you like a good transformation story and believe that everyone deserves some love no matter how they look, these 5 TV shows are for you:
She Was Pretty (2015)
Turns out, all you need to do to become pretty is to get rid of your drawn-on freckles and every sign of curl in your hair. While the message is hard to approve, the actual drama is sweet, fun, and very romantic. The exact thing you need to remember is that no matter how you look, you deserve to fight for your happiness.
Coffee Prince (2007)
In this drama, the female lead Go Eun-chan is not considered to be pretty by societal norms. She often gets mistaken for a man, which is very helpful for the plot, but also goes to show the lack of standard femininity in her. Either way, that doesn’t stop her from being as successful as she can at multiple jobs, and even finding love.
True Beauty (2020-2021)
This is not just the story of a makeover, but the story of how your past may continue to haunt you even after you have changed. That is exactly what happened to Lim Ju-kyung when she thought she could live freely and happily as her new pretty face. A classic love triangle would be a perfect addition for everyone who enjoys such stories.
My Lovely Sam Soon (2005)
Another Korean classic from 2005 explores the ups and downs in the life of Kim Sam-soon, who is very insecure about herself, starting with her name and ending with her appearance. The series aims to show that no matter how old you are or how insecure you are, your life is not over and there is hope for positive change.
Beautiful Gong Shim (2016)
Have you ever felt the pressure of being constantly compared to your more beautiful and successful sibling? Well, this is the situation Gong Shim has been living in all her life. Fortunately, things get a lot better and more interesting when she takes matters into her own hands and decides to rent a room on the roof.