True Beauty: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, And Relationships

True Beauty (2020–2021) is a South Korean romantic comedy-drama series, adapted from Yaongyi’s Line Webtoon, aired on tvN for 16 episodes from December 9, 2020, to February 4, 2021.

Directed by Kim Sang-hyub, it follows Lim Ju-kyung, a high school girl who transforms from a bullied “ugly duckling” to a popular “goddess” through makeup, navigating a love triangle with Lee Su-ho and Han Seo-jun.

Filmed in South Korea, it faced a brief halt in December 2020 due to a COVID-19 case. The series, available on Netflix, Viu, Rakuten Viki, and Amazon Prime, averaged 3–4 million viewers per episode, earning an 8.3/10 IMDb rating and a 2021 Seoul Drama Award nomination. Critics praised its themes of self-acceptance and bullying but noted its predictable tropes. Fans on X love the cast’s chemistry and Seo-jun’s “puppy” charm, though some found the love triangle clichéd.

Main Cast and Their Roles

Moon Ga-young as Lim Ju-kyung

• Role: Ju-kyung, a Class 2-5 student at Saebom High, transforms her appearance with makeup to escape past bullying, becoming a “goddess.” She’s kind, naive, and loves horror comics and heavy metal. Moon’s “vulnerable yet vibrant” performance was lauded. Appeared in all 16 episodes.
• Net Worth: $2 million to $3 million.
• Height: 5’6″ (1.68 m).
• Family: Born July 10, 1996, in Karlsruhe, Germany, to South Korean parents (father: physicist, mother: pianist). Younger sister; older sister unreported. Moved to South Korea in 2005. Fluent in German, English; plays piano, flute, and ballet. Graduated Sungkyunkwan University (Acting and Arts, 2019).
• Relationships: Unknown.
• Post-Show: Starred in Us Forever (2024), My Dearest Nemesis (2025). Appeared in AKMU’s “Cheers” music video (2021). Fan meetings in Asia.

Cha Eun-woo as Lee Su-ho

• Role: Su-ho, a handsome, reserved Class 2-5 student and top academic with a tragic past, including a friend’s suicide. He loves Ju-kyung without makeup and shares her horror comic interest. Eun-woo’s “stoic yet tender” role was a hit, though some criticized his acting as stiff. Appeared in all 16 episodes.
• Net Worth: $8 million to $10 million.
• Height: 6’0″ (1.83 m).
• Family: Born Lee Dong-min, March 30, 1997, in Gunpo, South Korea. One younger brother. Graduated Hanlim Multi Art School; studied at Sungkyunkwan University (Performing Arts).
• Relationships: Unknown.
• Post-Show: Starred in Island, A Good Day to Be a Dog, Wonderful World (2024). Released solo album Entity (2024). Global ASTRO tours and fan meetings.

Hwang In-youp as Han Seo-jun

• Role: Seo-jun, a rebellious, kind-hearted Class 2-5 student and former friend of Su-ho, estranged after a tragedy. A model and aspiring idol, he falls for Ju-kyung. In-youp’s “magnetic” performance and song “It Starts Today” boosted his fame. Appeared in all 16 episodes.
• Net Worth: $2 million to $3 million.
• Height: 6’1″ (1.85 m).
• Family: Born January 19, 1991, in Uijeongbu, South Korea. Younger brother, Inof (producer, singer-songwriter). Lived in Davao City, Philippines; graduated Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School and Philippine Women’s University (BFA, Fashion Design). English name: Ryan Leon.
• Relationships: Single.
• Post-Show: Starred in Family by Choice (2024). Held 2022 Asia fan meetings. Signed with KN Studio (2024). Completed mandatory military service pre-career.

Park Yoo-na as Kang Su-jin

• Role: Su-jin, Saebom High’s confident, natural beauty from a wealthy but oppressive family. Initially Ju-kyung’s friend, she becomes a rival in the love triangle. Yoo-na’s “layered” performance was praised, though her arc drew mixed reviews. Appeared in ~14 episodes.
• Net Worth: $1 million to $2 million.
• Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m).
• Family: Born December 23, 1997, in Seoul, South Korea. Family details private; no siblings reported. Graduated Korea National University of Arts (Acting).
• Relationships: Single.
• Post-Show: Starred in Longing for You (2023), Payback (2023). Upcoming: Spirit Fingers (2025).

Im Se-mi as Lim Hee-kyung

• Role: Hee-kyung, Ju-kyung’s intelligent, attractive older sister, works at Move Entertainment and develops a romance with teacher Han Joon-woo. Se-mi’s “confident” role was a fan favorite. Appeared in ~10 episodes.
• Net Worth: $1 million to $2 million.
• Height: 5’6″ (1.67 m).
• Family: Born May 29, 1987, in Seoul, South Korea. Family details private; no siblings reported.
• Relationships: Single.
• Post-Show: Starred in The Roundup: Punishment (2024), Wonderland (2024). Modeled for fashion brands.

Kim Min-ki as Lim Ju-young

• Role: Ju-young, Ju-kyung’s cheeky younger brother who crushes on Seo-jun’s sister, Go-woon. Min-ki’s “comedic” role added family warmth. Appeared in ~10 episodes.
• Net Worth: $500,000 to $1 million.
• Height: 5’8″ (1.73 m).
• Family: Born January 22, 2002, in South Korea. Family details private; no siblings reported.
• Relationships: Single.
• Post-Show: Limited roles; appeared in My Teen Girl. Focuses on smaller projects.

Jung Ji-so as Hong Hyun-sook

• Role: Hyun-sook, Ju-kyung’s mother, runs Pandora beauty shop. Strict but caring, she regrets past bias against Ju-kyung’s looks. Ji-so’s “warm” performance resonated. Appeared in ~8 episodes.
• Net Worth: $1 million to $2 million.
• Height: 5’2″ (1.58 m).
• Family: Born September 17, 1999, in Seoul, South Korea. Family details private; no siblings reported.
• Relationships: Single.
• Post-Show: Starred in The Glory (2022–2023), The Girls’ Lies (2025). Active in theater.

Park Ho-san as Lim Jae-pil

• Role: Jae-pil, Ju-kyung’s father, a kind but financially troubled man who moves the family after a bad investment. Ho-san’s “endearing” role added humor. Appeared in ~8 episodes.
• Net Worth: $1 million to $2 million.
• Height: 5’9″ (1.75 m).
• Family: Born October 18, 1972, in Seoul, South Korea. Family details private; no siblings or children reported.
• Relationships: Single.
• Post-Show: Starred in The Auditors (2024), Miss Night and Day (2024).

Additional Notes

Salaries: Moon and Eun-woo earned ~$20,000–$30,000 per episode, In-youp ~$15,000–$25,000, Yoo-na, Se-mi, Ji-so, and Ho-san ~$10,000–$15,000, Min-ki ~$5,000–$10,000. The budget per episode was ~$500,000–$1 million, covering Seoul locations and vibrant school sets. Streaming residuals (Netflix, Viki) boost earnings.

Casting Insights: Moon was cast for her versatility, transitioning from child roles (Heartstrings). Eun-woo, a K-pop idol (ASTRO), was chosen for his “naengminam” (cold, handsome) vibe, though some fans on Reddit felt his Gangnam Beauty role was too similar. In-youp, a newcomer, skyrocketed in popularity as Seo-jun, with fans on X praising his emotional depth. Yoo-na’s prior work with Eun-woo in Gangnam Beauty aided chemistry.

Impact and Legacy: True Beauty’s 8.3 IMDb rating and Netflix popularity in 17 countries highlight its global reach. Its anti-bullying message and self-acceptance themes resonated, though some X fans criticized Su-jin’s “cliché” villain arc. The love triangle (Ju-kyung, Su-ho, Seo-jun) sparked heated “team” debates online. Cameos by SF9’s Chani, Lee Jae-wook, and Kim Hye-yoon tied it to Extraordinary You.

Post-Show Careers: Moon starred in Us Forever. Eun-woo balanced ASTRO and acting (Wonderful World). In-youp led Family by Choice. Yoo-na joined Spirit Fingers. Se-mi and Ji-so took darker roles (The Worst of Evil, The Glory). Ho-san and Min-ki focused on supporting roles. Most engage in fan meetings and endorsements.

Cultural Influence: The series popularized makeup as empowerment, with Ju-kyung’s tutorials inspiring YouTube trends. Fans quote Seo-jun’s “dae saekkiya” and Su-ho’s protective moments. Its exploration of beauty standards and bullying sparked discussions, though some noted unrealistic portrayals of high school dynamics. The OST, including In-youp’s “It Starts Today,” charted in South Korea.

Conclusion

True Beauty’s cast, led by Moon Ga-young, Cha Eun-woo, and Hwang In-youp, brought Yaongyi’s webtoon to life with emotional depth and charm. Net worths range from $500,000 (Min-ki) to $10 million (Eun-woo), reflecting their rising careers. Personal lives, like Moon’s German upbringing and In-youp’s Philippine roots, add richness. With its Netflix success, anti-bullying themes, and vibrant love triangle, True Beauty remains a K-drama favorite, despite predictable tropes.