She Was Pretty tells the story of Kim Hye Jin (Hwang Jung Eum) who was beautiful và popular as a child, but she becomes unpopular & unattractive when she grows up. Ji Sung Joon (Park Seo Joon) was the opposite in that he was overweight as a child, but he grows up to lớn be handsome và successful. The two were childhood first loves who meet again as adults.
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SPOILERS BELOW
Because Hye Jin is embarrassed by how she looks, she asks her best friend Min Ha Ri (Go Joon Hee) to lớn pretend khổng lồ be her for a one time meeting with Sung Joon. But things get complicated when Hye Jin starts working at the same company as Sung Joon & has to pretend she doesn’t know him. Sung Joon also runs into Ha Ri again, và she ends up continuing to lớn pretend to lớn be Hye Jin.
She Was Pretty quickly pulled me in with a funny and charming first episode that introduced us to all of our characters. Hye Jin và Sung Joon had an adorable first love story where Hye Jin was kind và helpful to lớn Sung Joon when no one else was. She was his first real friend.
Hye Jin was so excited lớn get to lớn see Sung Joon again when they grew up, but when she realized she was completely different than she was when they were kids, her fears of his reaction caused her lớn hide from him. Of course, this sets in motion a series of problems lớn come.
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum.jpg?w=500" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2769" src="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum.jpg?w=300&h=187" alt="She Was Pretty Korean Drama - Hwang Jung Eum" width="300" height="187" srcset="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum.jpg?w=300&h=187 300w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum.jpg?w=150&h=94 150w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
I absolutely adore Hwang Jung Eum, and she was hilarious in this. She went all out và didn’t hold back. Although I still wouldn’t gọi her ugly, she certainly looked unkempt with her crazy hair, red cheeks, và bad sense of style. A lot of people complain that Hwang Jung Eum overacts và screams too much, but I have never thought this. I think her comedic abilities are amazing. It may help that I really enjoy exaggerated & over the vị trí cao nhất comedy, but I love her crazy facial expressions và reactions to lớn what’s going on around her. Comedy is her forte in my opinion. & I thought she was beautiful throughout the drama. She really captured her character’s kind và loving heart.
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon.jpg?w=500" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2788" src="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon.jpg?w=300&h=187" alt="She Was Pretty Korean Drama - Park Seo Joon" width="300" height="187" srcset="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon.jpg?w=300&h=187 300w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon.jpg?w=150&h=94 150w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
I really enjoyed Park Seo Joon in Kill Me, Heal Me where he played Hwang Jung Eum’s ‘brother’. They had such a fun connection in that, và if anyone other than Ji Sung were the lead, I probably would have been rooting for him. Park Seo Joon took a bit more for me lớn warm up to lớn in She Was Pretty. He is rude và insensitive to Hye Jin at work. He doesn’t know who she is, & all he sees is a clumsy and dysfunctional annoyance. But he does eventually warm up to lớn Hye Jin, và even finds himself being drawn to her even though he doesn’t realize she is his first love.
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-go-joon-hee-2.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-go-joon-hee-2.jpg?w=500" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2754" src="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-go-joon-hee-2.jpg?w=300&h=187" alt="She Was Pretty Korean Drama - Go Joon Hee" width="300" height="187" srcset="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-go-joon-hee-2.jpg?w=300&h=187 300w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-go-joon-hee-2.jpg?w=150&h=94 150w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-go-joon-hee-2.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Then we have Go Joon Hee as Hye Jin’s best friend Ha Ri. Originally, she gets pulled into the situation và only wanted to lớn help Hye Jin. But it becomes difficult for her when she starts lớn unwillingly develop feelings for Sung Joon. She had never had feelings lượt thích that before & wanted them to lớn continue, but her guilt over what she was keeping from Hye Jin proved to be khổng lồ much for her.
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum-and-go-joon-hee-2.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum-and-go-joon-hee-2.jpg?w=500" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2767" src="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum-and-go-joon-hee-2.jpg?w=300&h=187" alt="She Was Pretty Korean Drama - Hwang Jung Eum và Go Joon Hee" width="300" height="187" srcset="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum-and-go-joon-hee-2.jpg?w=300&h=187 300w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum-and-go-joon-hee-2.jpg?w=150&h=94 150w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum-and-go-joon-hee-2.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
But I must say I really loved the relationship between our two best friends. They were so supportive of each other, & they always had a good time together. It was nice to see this sort of relationship in dramaland. It is also refreshing that Ha Ri is not some one dimensional other woman out khổng lồ steal the guy. She loves her best friend, and it was evident from start to lớn finish.
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-choi-siwon-2.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-choi-siwon-2.jpg?w=500" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2752" src="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-choi-siwon-2.jpg?w=300&h=187" alt="She Was Pretty Korean Drama - Choi Siwon" width="300" height="187" srcset="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-choi-siwon-2.jpg?w=300&h=187 300w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-choi-siwon-2.jpg?w=150&h=94 150w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-choi-siwon-2.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
And then there is our charming second lead, Kim Shin Hyuk, played by Choi Siwon. What a treat he was! He was full of witty one liners và loved to lớn playfully annoy Hye Jin. Their interactions were the highlight of the drama & provided too many laughs lớn count.
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum-and-choi-siwon-5.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum-and-choi-siwon-5.jpg?w=500" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2765" src="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum-and-choi-siwon-5.jpg?w=300&h=187" alt="She Was Pretty Korean Drama - Hwang Jung Eum & Choi Siwon" width="300" height="187" srcset="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum-and-choi-siwon-5.jpg?w=300&h=187 300w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum-and-choi-siwon-5.jpg?w=150&h=94 150w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-jung-eum-and-choi-siwon-5.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
And in the process, he even develops feelings for her. He would be a hard one to lớn resist! I would frequently go from feeling warm and fuzzies watching Sung Joon và Hye Jin and then immediately switch to lớn heartbreak watching Hye Jin not return Shin Hyuk’s feelings. She Was Pretty did a wonderful job with our love square.
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-suk-jung.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-suk-jung.jpg?w=500" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2770" src="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-suk-jung.jpg?w=300&h=187" alt="She Was Pretty Korean Drama - Hwang Suk Jung" width="300" height="187" srcset="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-suk-jung.jpg?w=300&h=187 300w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-suk-jung.jpg?w=150&h=94 150w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-hwang-suk-jung.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
There were some really fun supporting characters too. I loved this couple’s little side romance as well as the flamboyant Chief Editor Ra Ra. Good times khổng lồ be had all around.
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon-7.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon-7.jpg?w=500" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2777" src="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon-7.jpg?w=300&h=187" alt="She Was Pretty Korean Drama - Park Seo Joon" width="300" height="187" srcset="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon-7.jpg?w=300&h=187 300w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon-7.jpg?w=150&h=94 150w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon-7.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
I did really love our main couple though. Sung Joon slowly warmed up khổng lồ Hye Jin & eventually fell in love with her. I think the drama did well in handling the issue of Hye Jin’s looks. Sung Joon never indicates that he dislikes her looks, và his feelings for Hye Jin develop before her makeover. Và he doesn’t change how he acts towards her afterwards. Towards the kết thúc of the drama, he even seems pleased to lớn see her again with her rosy cheeks without her makeup. Our love birds had plenty of cute and sweet moments.
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon-and-hwang-jung-eum-6.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon-and-hwang-jung-eum-6.jpg?w=500" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2784" src="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon-and-hwang-jung-eum-6.jpg?w=300&h=187" alt="She Was Pretty Korean Drama - Park Seo Joon và Hwang Jung Eum" width="300" height="187" srcset="https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon-and-hwang-jung-eum-6.jpg?w=300&h=187 300w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon-and-hwang-jung-eum-6.jpg?w=150&h=94 150w, https://kdramakisses.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/she-was-pretty-park-seo-joon-and-hwang-jung-eum-6.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
On a side note, I found it pretty amusing that Hwang Jung Eum received back hugs from all three of the other main actors in this drama (see the pictures throughout this review). Now how often does that happen? You can never have too many back hugs!
She Was Pretty maintained some wonderful charm and comedy all the way through. I was never bored and laughed so much. It also pulled at my heartstrings on multiple levels. Our characters were well developed & all marvelously acted. This drama wraps up the ending like a beautiful present tied with a big red bow. She Was Pretty is everything I love in a drama.
My Rating: 9/10
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It was Oppa"s turn lớn choose a drama. He initially picked Itaewon Class. Although that is on my to watch list, I heard from friends that the pilot episode was a super tearjerker. Since we just finished watching My Sassy Girl that afternoon (when I shed a lot of tears), I didn"t think I was ready khổng lồ cry even more. However, I vì chưng recognize that my date with Park Seo Joon is long overdue. So to lớn compromise, I picked an early PSJ drama that seemed light enough. And that"s how we ended up with She Was Pretty.
Story
She Was Pretty tells the story of two childhood friends, Ji Sung Joon (PSJ) and Kim Hye Jin (Hwang Jung Eum). Sung Joon used to be a fat and insecure boy who was bullied by other kids. Pretty Hye Jin was his protector. They had khổng lồ part ways eventually when Sung Joon"s family moved to lớn the US.
The friends lost cảm biến until Sung Joon found Hye Jin"s thư điện tử address. He sent her an e-mail saying he was going back lớn Korea. They set a meeting. This time, however, Hye Jin was no longer as flawless as she was before. She had frizzy, curly hair with red blotches on her cheeks.
On the day of their meeting, Sung Joon mistook a pretty girl for Hye Jin. Humiliated, Hye Jin asked her gorgeous best friend, Min Ha Ri (Go Joon Hee), to lớn pretend to be Hye Jin. Things got complicated, however, when Sung Joon pursued the fake Hye Jin & the real Hye Jin ended up as Sung Joon"s office colleague.
Things got more interesting with Hye Jin"s other colleague, Kim Shin Hyuk (Choi tê mê Won of Super Junior), who pursued Hye Jin and who also knew her secret regarding Sung Joon.
She Was Pretty takes us through the journey of how Sung Joon & Hye Jin finally find their way back to each other again.
The Good Peppered with a Little Bit of Not So Good Stuff
Park Seo Joon as Sung Joon
Prior lớn this drama, our exposure khổng lồ PSJ was limited to lớn his cameos in Parasite & Record of Youth. I"ve heard a lot of good things about him. & after watching She Was Pretty, I would have to lớn say that he is indeed as good as advertised. I believe this drama was his first lead role and he definitely did not disappoint both physically and talent-wise.
I would have khổng lồ admit that Sung Joon"s character started horrible. He was very harsh towards Hye Jin. Whatever little mistake she made was always amplified whenever Sung Joon found out about it. I could not understand how Sung Joon could be so cruel towards Hye Jin, knowing that he himself was bullied in the past. Assuming that he probably had trust issues because of what happened to lớn him, I don"t think Hye Jin deserved that kind of treatment from Sung Joon because she was his subordinate & she never showed any form of aggression towards Sung Joon. He had no reason to fear that Hye Jin was like his bullies. The verbal abuse in the initial episodes were reminiscent of those old dramas in the 2000s.
However, lượt thích all other doubtful characters in this drama, Sung Joon totally redeemed himself. I enjoyed watching his slow yet steady realization that Hye Jin was indeed special & that she greatly resembled his friend from the past whose hair was frizzy when wet và who shouted "Let"s go!" whenever the light turned green at the crosswalk. So while it was an arduous journey lớn get there, everything was well worth it, culminating with that very powerful hug scene when Sung Joon thought Hye Jin got into an accident.
I totally loved how realistic & natural Sung Joon"s reactions were to lớn the things that happened around him. I was very pleased with how he reacted when he found out the truth about Hye Jin"s character. A typical K drama would have wasted at least one episode showing Sung Joon"s character confused as khổng lồ how he should khuyến mãi with things. Predictable reaction would have been for him to get angry about being deceived. But I"m grateful that She Was Pretty deviated from this norm. Instead of anger, Sung Joon felt remorse for how he previously treated Hye Jin.
I also felt Sung Joon"s sincerity every time he confessed his feelings for Hye Jin. They were all heartfelt and they made me momentarily forget the nasty things he did. I loved how patient and understanding he was of Hye Jin - when she could not be with him yet due khổng lồ Ha Ri and when she wanted lớn pursue her writing career.
And although he acted like a total jerk at work most of the time, I liked how Sung Joon was actually a good person deep inside. He apologized khổng lồ Ha Ri for not giving her time to explain her side. He respected Ten"s privacy và refused to lớn take advantage of his popularity just to make their magazine number one. He refused khổng lồ accept his promotion, knowing that the magazine did not reach its goal through his own efforts.
I also liked how Sung Joon genuinely loved Hye Jin"s family. He lived with them even if Hye Jin was not staying there. & I felt his sincerity when he said he was grateful lớn be part of her family.
As I mentioned above, PSJ is truly as good as advertised. He played both the jerk và sweet characters really well. Và now, I understand why people are saying that other actors should get kissing tips from PSJ. :D
Hwang Jung Eum as Hye Jin
This was the first time we"ve heard of Hwang Jung Eum. Và we were really impressed.
I loved Hye Jin"s transformation from the "I don"t care" Hye Jin khổng lồ the Most-esque one. But beyond her physical beauty, I would have to lớn say that it was Hye Jin"s attitude that really won me over.
I loved her positivity. No, it was definitely not the toxic kind. She still showed her emotions - she cried, felt sad, got angry, showed pride. & that made her very human. But the great thing about her was how she always chose to tỷ lệ thoát back afterwards.
She was a very great friend và colleague too, especially lớn Ha Ri and Shin Hyuk. But I"ll go into that later.
And her love for her family was just amazing. She worked hard lớn provide for them. Và she swallowed her pride because she wanted to lớn get a new printer for her dad.
I liked Hye Jin"s journey into learning how to love và value herself. She started out insecure but she eventually had that sense of self worth. She learned how to lớn appreciate her independence và how she needed khổng lồ be pretty for herself. She chose lớn make Sung Joon wait for her as she rediscovered herself. & I especially loved what she said about everyone being capable of being heroes and/or lead stars in their own stories. We should never allow ourselves khổng lồ be held back by our supporting character mentality.
I also loved how despite her age (and long-lost-now-turned-newfound love), Hye Jin still chose to chase her dreams. I know that that is a luxury that cannot be enjoyed by everyone especially in a society lượt thích ours, but I still believe that it"s important to lớn keep that desire burning because someday it might still be possible lớn get it.
Over all, Hwang Jung Eum was terrific. She hacked both the funny and the drama scenes really well. Although her character always overreacted (especially with Shin Hyuk), she was never overacting. That"s a very difficult thing to do yet she was able lớn manage it. Her reactions all seemed so natural for her. It also helped a lot that she had great chemistry with both male leads.
Sung Joon & Hye Jin
Although Sung Joon và Hye Jin"s relationship did not start out great, I loved how it naturally progressed later on.
Sung Joon showed Hye Jin a photo of the God of Opportunity. He meant to lớn convince her that she should grab all opportunities presented to lớn her at work. However, I believe that this scene was also a gateway to lớn the two of them admitting how they truly felt for each other. When something or someone is in front of you và you want it, you must not let it go. Otherwise, when it turns its back from you, you đại bại your chance lớn have it.
I loved all of Sung Joon and Hye Jin"s sweet moments together. Their love radiated & I felt it beyond my TV screen. Lượt thích that tender moment when Sung Joon had a panic attack in the middle of the road.
And that time when they went khổng lồ the beach for a business trip.
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But more than their swooney scenes, the great thing about Sung Joon và Hye Jin was how realistic & natural their relationship was. They spent a lot of time apart & finding each other. Any other K drama would have still found a way to lớn make things even more complicated for the couple. However, I"m grateful that She Was Pretty refused to lớn take that path. I liked how they acknowledged that after you"ve longed for someone for a really long time, it would be such a waste of time lớn still fight over petty stuff. She Was Pretty was proof that a story can still have conflicts that would not necessarily involve the couple breaking up. There can be conflict at work, with friends, etc.