True Beauty – Season 1 Episode 3 Recap & Review

The Jerk and the Troublemaker

Episode 3 of True Beauty begins where we left off in the previous episode with Seojun and Suho arguing. Suho notices Jugeyong in the crowd. He pulls Jugyeong aside and asks her if she knows Seojun. Jugyeong says she doesn’t know Seojun and Suho gives Jugyeong her earbuds. Seojun returns to class.

One of Seojun’s friends informs him that Jugeyong is a Sebom Goddess candidate. Then, we cut away to Jugyeong in class. Jugyeong’s relieved Seojun hasn’t discovered her true identity yet. Then, Jugyeong’s teacher asks her to come to the front of the class and select a sheet of paper from a box. This is a part of her current portrait assignment. 

Jugyeong picks up a slip of paper and learns her portrait assignment will be on Seojun. She must draw Seojun, if he refuses, she’ll fail her assignment. Eventually, Jugeyong meets with Seojun. Jugyeong informs Seojun about her portrait assignment. 

Seojun says he’ll think about it if Suho asks him to consider helping Jugeyong out with it. Seojun departs and Jugyeong is annoyed by Seojun’s response. Then, we see Suho entering a classroom. Sujin wanders toward Suho, asking him if he wants to practice acting with her. Suho refuses and leaves the classroom.

Meanwhile, Jugyeong, Chaerin, and Sua meet Gowoon. Gowoon is a student from the music department. Sua, Chaerin, and Jugyeong wonder why Gowoon looks horrible. Gowoon says she has an upcoming performance. She knows she’s a talented singer but her looks are atrocious. 

Jugyeong understands and offers to help Gowoon with her makeup. Then, Jugyeong and the others stroll around a basketball court. Seojun’s ball clashes with one of Jugyeong’s beverages, causing it to ruin her facial appearance. Sua yells at Seojun for not monitoring the court.

Then, Suho arrives, cleans things up, and tells Jugyeong to leave and wash up. Seojun confronts Suho about his actions and Suho retaliates, telling Seojun that he should apologize to Jugyeong. After washing up, Jugyeong returns home. Jugyeong researches Suho’s actions to see what it all means. 

Several anonymous folks tell Jugyeong it’s possible Suho likes Jugyeong. Jugyeong visits Han River to return Suho’s cardigan. There, Jugyeong explains why she was at Han River during the previous chapter’s early flashback segment. Jugyeong tells Suho she was bullied a lot in the past for her appearance. 

At the same time, Jugyeong says she didn’t mind the bullying and knows difficult times will come and go. Suho tells Jugyeong he looks the same regardless of whether she has makeup on. He also understands why Jugyeong wants to keep things a secret. 

He compares her charade to his on-and-off acting phase. Jugyeong visits Gowoon and does her makeup. Then, Gowoon performs on stage and Jugyeong observes her from the crowd with tears in her eyes. Jugyeong greets Gowoon after the performance and learns Gowoon’s related to Seojun. 

Jugyeong leaves and returns home to ponder everything. Then, Sujin messages Jugyeong and tells her he followed her on social media. Jugyeong follows Sujin back and Gowoon invites her to her home for dinner. Jugyeong arrives at Gowoon’s place. Seojun exits the bathroom, shirtless. 

Seojun apologizes. He leaves to grab normal clothes and returns to the dinner table with Gowoon and Jugyeong. After dinner, Seojun walks with Jugyeong somewhere. Seojun tells Jugyeong he’ll help her with her portrait assignment. Jugyeong thanks Seojun. Some time passes.

Jugyeong meets Sujin at Cafe Miyu. The two discuss the upcoming Sebon Goddess competition. Sujin wants to get closer to Jugyeong but knows the competition will make it difficult for them to get along. Regardless, Sujin says she’d like her and Jugyeong to get closer to each other. 

Then, Jugyeong heads to school and learns about an upcoming mission for the Sebom Goddess Competition. Many people chat about the idea of Jugyeong and Sujin competing against each other. The episode ends with Jugyeong looking nervous. 

The Episode Review

Like a ladder, True Beauty is gradually getting better with each episode that airs. This one features Jugyeong identifying and helping Gowoon with her facial features. While the segment was fast and didn’t contain as much impact as one would like, it gives fans reasons to root for Jugyeong’s character. 

It felt genuine seeing Jugyeong empathize and assist Gowoon with her issues. The singing performance wasn’t marvelously animated, but seeing Jugyeong cry during Gowoon’s performance will leave folks with a satisfying reaction. This anime is slowly building up the romance between Jugyeong and Suho. 

Their discussion at Han River was insightful and heartwarming. The flashback segment from episode 2 would’ve worked wonders here though. It would’ve made their discussion more impactful and emotional. Yet, it’s nice knowing Suho can relate to Jugyeong’s makeup endeavors. 

Next to offering fans some build-up regarding Sujin and Jugyeong’s rivalry, this episode was a step in the right direction. I’m interested to see what awaits Jugyeong’s journey in the future.