What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedTrue Beauty
Series · 2020
If you loved True Beauty, start with 20th Century Girl (2022) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to True Beauty across media.
If you loved True Beauty, you will appreciate these stories that explore the tension between public perception and authentic self-discovery.
Books on the same thread
The Making of Dr. Truelove
Derrick Barnes · Book · 2008
Shares a thread with True Beauty: Coming-of-Age.
Just like the protagonist of True Beauty, Diego struggles with deep-seated insecurities, using an invented persona to navigate his romantic life and quest for self-acceptance.
Uglies
Scott Westerfeld · Book · 2005
Shares a thread with True Beauty: Coming-of-Age.
Much like the preoccupation with appearance in True Beauty, this story examines the societal pressure to conform to rigid beauty standards and the desire to break free.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy
Jenny Han · Book
Shares a thread with True Beauty: coming-of-age.
Fans of the high school dynamics in True Beauty will enjoy this exploration of first love, summer nostalgia, and the complexities of navigating evolving teenage friendships.
On Beauty
Zadie Smith · Book · 2006
Explores: Interracial Relationships, Family Dynamics, Cultural Differences.
While more literary in tone, this narrative mirrors the preoccupation with physical appearance found in True Beauty, delving into how beauty influences family dynamics and personal relationships.
Films on the same thread
The Truman Show
Peter Weir · Film · 1998
Explores: Existentialism, Reality vs. Illusion, Loss of Innocence.
If you were drawn to the hidden identity aspect of True Beauty, you will recognize the existential struggle of living a life curated for the public eye.
American Beauty
Film · 1999
Shares a thread with True Beauty: Coming-of-Age.
This film reflects the darker side of the obsession with appearance seen in True Beauty, focusing on how personal crises manifest when one feels trapped by their life.
The Edge of Seventeen
Kelly Fremon Craig · Film · 2016
Shares a thread with True Beauty: Coming-of-Age.
This story captures the same high school angst found in True Beauty, focusing on the volatile nature of teenage friendships and the drama of complicated romantic entanglements.
20th Century Girl
Film · 2022
Shares a thread with True Beauty: Coming-of-age.
This film echoes the romantic confusion and high school atmosphere of True Beauty, as the lead character finds herself caught in a love story through unexpected circumstances.
Podcasts on the same thread
Beauty and the Beasts
Podcast
Explores: Skincare, Supernatural, Asian Folklore.
If you enjoyed the focus on makeup and beauty in True Beauty, this podcast offers a unique, eerie twist by pairing those rituals with unsettling Asian folklore.
K's DRAMA
Podcast
Explores: Korean culture, Television analysis, Entertainment industry.
For those captivated by the world of True Beauty, this podcast provides an essential deep dive into the Korean entertainment culture that shaped the series.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the main premise of True Beauty?
True Beauty follows Lim Ju-kyung, a high school student who feels insecure about her appearance. She uses her excellent make-up skills to hide her bare face and present a different image to the world while navigating high school life.
Is True Beauty about a love triangle?
Yes, the plot of True Beauty centers on Lim Ju-kyung as she gets involved with two different men, Lee Su-ho and Han Seo-jun, while trying to maintain her secret appearance.
Why does the main character wear makeup in True Beauty?
In True Beauty, Lim Ju-kyung wears makeup because she has had a complex about her appearance since she was little. She uses her skills to hide her bare face from others because she feels insecure about how she looks.
Who are the primary romantic interests in True Beauty?
The two men that Lim Ju-kyung becomes involved with throughout the story of True Beauty are Lee Su-ho and Han Seo-jun. Their interactions with the protagonist form a central part of the series narrative.