티스토리 뷰
Are you curious about the filming locations of this drama? You've come to the right place. By reading this article, you'll be able to explore both the culture and lifestyle depicted in the drama through its filming locations. If you're interested in Korea, make sure to check it out!
Drama Introduction and Korean Culture
This drama centers on Im Joo-kyung, a girl who is actually unattractive but becomes the school goddess through makeup. The story follows her struggles to keep her true appearance hidden. Despite her efforts, a classmate, the very handsome Lee Su-ho, knows her real face. As Im Joo-kyung tries to prevent Lee Su-ho from revealing her secret, she ends up in a pitiable situation, doing anything to keep her secret safe.
But this drama isn't just about Im Joo-kyung's sad yet amusing struggle to hide her true appearance. In Korean society, physical appearance has a significant impact on one's life. Many people face difficulties, such as being ostracized or disliked, due to their looks. While not everyone suffers unfair treatment because of their appearance, the drama effectively highlights how much one's life can differ based on their looks. You can see this by observing how people's attitudes toward Im Joo-kyung change when she wears makeup versus when she doesn't. Many people compare themselves to successful influencers or celebrities and suffer as a result. This drama emphasizes the importance of loving yourself just as you are, despite the harsh realities of societal pressures.
Exploring Korean Culture Through Filming Locations
This drama features a wide variety of locations. Each of these places reflects Korean culture and the everyday lives of Koreans. By exploring the filming locations, I will introduce you to aspects of Korean culture.
1️⃣럭셔리 수 노래방(Luxury Su Karaoke)
This is the karaoke place where Joo-kyung and her friends go to sing. In Korea, it's common for people to visit karaoke rooms with friends. They enjoy singing and chatting for hours at an affordable price, making karaoke a popular pastime.
2️⃣노들섬(Nodle Island)
This beautiful spot appears in a scene where Joo-kyung, wearing a helmet, meets and talks with I-ho. It's a popular destination for picnics and dates. Just like the picturesque scenes in the drama, the night views here are stunning.
In Korea, due to its small land area, there are many high-rise apartments and buildings, which can sometimes feel suffocating. Therefore, people often seek out places like Nodlesum, with fewer tall buildings and beautiful scenery, to relax on weekends or holidays.
3️⃣효창공원(Hyochang Park)
This is where Joo-kyung and I-ho play basketball together at night. South Korea is known for its excellent public safety, allowing people to enjoy parks and other outdoor activities safely even at night. Many people use local parks for activities like basketball, badminton, or just taking a walk.
4️⃣충무김밥 지점과 장군보쌈(hungmu Gimbap and Janggun Bossam)
These are the stores that appear when Joo-kyung and Seo-jun are hiding and running away. One is a gimbap store and the other is a bossam restaurant. Both of these foods are widely loved in Korea. Bossam involves wrapping pork with various sauces and vegetables in lettuce, and it's incredibly delicious. If you visit Korea, be sure to try it.
5️⃣남산타워(Namsan Tower)
One of Korea's most famous tourist attractions, Namsan Tower is a popular spot for couples and travelers throughout the year. Particularly at night, you can enjoy the stunning illuminated views of the tower and the cityscape. The beautiful scenery from Namsan Tower is truly a must-see.
6️⃣CGV
A well-known cinema chain in Korea, CGV is famous for its comfortable theaters where people enjoy watching movies with popcorn. It's a cinema that Koreans are very familiar with.
7️⃣남도분식점(Namdo Snack Bar)
This is a "분식점(bunsikjeom)," a type of snack bar that serves popular Korean street foods like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), eomuk (fish cakes), and sundae (Korean blood sausage). Bunsikjeom is an important part of Korean culture, where many people, especially students, create memories eating these foods with friends. The prices are affordable, making it a frequent hangout spot for those on a budget.
Original Webtoon
This drama is based on the Korean webtoon 'True Beauty'. You can find it on the website provided below. What’s interesting about this webtoon is that the female lead’s model is actually the webtoon’s creator. In fact, the author's real face looks remarkably similar to the webtoon character. It is said that the author's bare face looks just like the female lead's face without makeup. If you’re curious about the author’s real face, you can check it out at the link below.