True Beauty cast members brought Yaongyi's webtoon characters to life in the hit 2020 tvN romantic comedy series. The show follows Lim Ju-kyung, a high school student who masters the art of makeup after facing severe bullying over her appearance. When she transfers to Saebom High School, she transforms into an overnight sensation, hiding her bare face from everyone except two complicated classmates.
Understanding who plays who behind the spotlight helps viewers appreciate the Korean Broadcasting System and tvN production backgrounds that made this adaptation a global phenomenon. Here is a complete look at the main actors, supporting performers, and the character arcs that defined the series.
Main Cast and Characters
The central trio drives the emotional core, love triangles, and personal growth arcs throughout the series.
Moon Ga-young as Lim Ju-kyung
Moon Ga-young plays Lim Ju-kyung, the protagonist who navigates high school life with a carefully guarded secret. Before transferring, Ju-kyung experiences intense bullying because of her natural appearance. After learning professional makeup techniques, she reinvents herself as the school goddess.
Moon captures Ju-kyung's vulnerability, comedic timing, and genuine kindness. Viewers can track Moon's extensive filmography via her profile on AsianWiki. Beyond her glamourous persona at school, Ju-kyung's private life involves quirky hobbies like reading horror comic books and listening to heavy metal music.
Cha Eun-woo as Lee Su-ho
Cha Eun-woo stars as Lee Su-ho, the brooding top student at Saebom High School who possesses striking looks and an icy demeanor. Su-ho harbors deep psychological trauma from a tragic past incident involving his family and his former best friend.
As a member of the boy group ASTRO, featured on Soompi, Cha brings an effortless idol presence to his acting. Su-ho is the first person to see Ju-kyung without makeup, leading to an unexpected alliance that slowly blossoms into romance.
Hwang In-youp as Han Seo-jun
Hwang In-youp portrays Han Seo-jun, a rebellious motorcycle-riding student with a soft heart for his family. Seo-jun was once an idol trainee alongside Su-ho, but a tragic event caused him to abandon his music dreams and sever ties with his former friend.
Hwang's breakout performance earned him widespread acclaim for balancing a tough exterior with deep emotional loyalty. His character's rivalry and eventual reconciliation with Su-ho form a major pillar of the show's dramatic tension.
Park Yoo-na as Kang Su-jin
Park Yoo-na plays Kang Su-jin, the natural beauty and top student who befriends Ju-kyung early on. Su-jin's home life is fraught with intense academic pressure from her abusive father.
As the story progresses, complex feelings of jealousy and isolation lead Su-jin down a difficult path regarding her friendship with Ju-kyung and her feelings for Su-ho. Park delivers a layered performance of a teenager cracking under parental expectations.
Supporting Cast and Family Members
The supporting actors add depth to the school environment and domestic lives of the main characters.
Saebom High School Friends
- Kang Min-ah as Choi Soo-ah: Ju-kyung's bubbly and loyal best friend at Saebom High School who provides much of the lighthearted dialogue and support.
- Lee Il-jun as Yoo Tae-hoon: Soo-ah's affectionate boyfriend who eventually bridges connections with Su-ho's inner circle.
- Lee Woo-je as Kim Cho-rong: Seo-jun's close friend who shares comedic moments and loyal camaraderie.
The Lim and Su-ho Family Networks
- Jang Hye-jin as Hong Hyun-sook: Ju-kyung's mother, who runs a local beauty shop and pushes her children toward hard work.
- Park Ho-san as Lim Jae-pil: Ju-kyung's warm-hearted father who balances family finances and emotional support.
- Im Se-mi as Lim Hee-kyung: Ju-kyung's successful and confident older sister who works in entertainment and pursues a romance with a teacher.
- Jung Joon-ho as Lee Joo-heon: Su-ho's famous actor father, whose troubled relationship with his son drives Su-ho's early isolation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who sings the official soundtrack for True Beauty?
Several cast members and prominent K-pop artists contributed to the soundtrack. Hwang In-youp recorded tracks like It Starts Today, while members of SF9, Yuju, and Cha Eun-woo also lent their vocals to the official musical releases.
Where was True Beauty filmed?
Production took place primarily in various neighborhoods and schools around Seoul, South Korea, capturing modern urban youth culture and classic comic book shop aesthetics.
Is True Beauty based on a webtoon?
Yes, the series adapts the immensely popular Naver webtoon of the same name created by artist Yaongyi, which ran for several years and gained millions of international readers.
Did the main actors have prior acting experience?
All three main leads had established acting credentials before taking on this project. Moon Ga-young started as a child actress, Cha Eun-woo starred in My ID Is Gangnam Beauty, and Hwang In-youp gained recognition in 18 Again.
