True Beauty – Season 1 Episode 4 Recap & Review

Danger Never Sleeps

Episode 4 of True Beauty begins with Jugyeong eavesdropping on some girls discussing the mission she and others received on their cellular devices. Jugyeong wants to inform the art department that she wants to quit the Sebon Goddess Competition. She arrives at the art department classroom and sees Sua getting everyone pumped for the competition. 

Sua wants everyone to support Jugyeong. She argues that Jugyeong’s victory will change people’s perception of the art department. Then, we cut away to Jugyeong in the restroom. She wanted to tell Chaerin and Sua that she wanted to quit. Jugyeong reflects on her dilemma further. She argues that Sujin will win because she has a big presence. This will give Jugyeong a chance to drop out.

Then, we cut away to Suho and Sujin. Sujin wants Sujo to film her dancing video for the competition, but Suho tells her to ask someone else. Sujin heads to the restroom and notices Jugyeong. Jugyeong tells Sujin she doesn’t want to let the art department down. 

Sujin tells Jugyeong she and Suho are close. She tells Jugyeong she’ll ask Suho to help her film her dance video. She departs and wishes Jugyeong good luck on her dancing video. Jugyeong returns home. She watches all the goddess competition contestants’ dance videos. Chaerin and Sua send her a “sexy dance” she can use for the competition. 

Jugyeong dances and Juyong enters her room. She asks Juyong for his opinion. Embarrassed and ashamed, Juyong departs. Later, Jugyeong meets Suho at school. Suho asks Jugyeong to meet him at Han River after class. He wants to practice his acting. Jugyeong wants to practice her dancing, but Suho insists she meets him at Han River later. 

Then, Seojun arrives and asks Jugyeong when she’ll draw him for her previous assignment. Seojun says she must draw him after school today because he’s busy with work. Jugyeong’s not happy that these boys are ordering her around. Later, Jugyeong texts Suho and tells him he can’t meet him at Han River because of her assignment. 

Jugyeong heads to the music department and draws Seojun. The two discuss Suho and Jugyeong argues why Sujin should be Suho’s girlfriend instead of herself. Then, Seojun laughs after Jugyeong argues she’ll likely fail the competition’s dance mission. After Jugyeong finishes Seojun’s portrait, Seojun drives Jugyeong home. There, Seojun tells Jugyeong not to get close to Sujin and Suho.

Then, we see Jugyeong at school. Jugyeong bumps into Suho and Suho tells her he’s heading to Han River. Jugyeong understands and we cut away to the two at Han River. Jugyeong says she wants to help him practice his acting but Suho says he already submitted his acting video. Also, Suho argues he didn’t ask Jugyeong to attend Han River.

Suho asks Jugyeong about the dance mission. Jugyeong shows Suho the “sexy dance” Sua recommended she perform. She argues she can perform it after a few more practice sessions. Later, Sujin calls Jugyeong and asks her if she can go on a blind date with someone named Hyunwoo Jeong. 

Jugyeong informs Sua and Chaerin about Hyunwoo the next day. They encourage Jugyeong to go through with the blind date with him. Jugyeong visits Hyunwoo at their dating location. Then, the two go for a walk together. Hyunwoo praises Jugyeong and asks her to be his girlfriend. Jugyeong says she’d love to be his girlfriend. 

Later, we see Jugyeong reflecting on everything that’s happened. Then, Suho meets with Sua at a cafe. Sua informs Suho about Jugyeong’s activities and her new boyfriend. Jugyeong joins them and Suho hesitates to talk to Jugyeong. Jugyeong meets with Hyunwoo after and he insists they attend a hotel later. 

Jugyeong attends the hotel with Hyunwoo and Seojun spots them there. In their room, Hyunwoo asks Jugyeong to put on a swimsuit. Hyunwoo leaves and Jugyeong is confuzzled. Hyunwoo calls someone and tells them that everything is going according to plan. Seojun punches Hyunwoo and tells him he’s a part-timer at the hotel.

 The episode ends with Seojun telling Hyunwoo that he’s going to call the police.

The Episode Review

This episode was a bit of a downgrade compared to last week’s chapter. The pacing was a huge problem. It felt like I was watching a video game speedrun video on YouTube with how fast matters progressed here. This episode would’ve benefitted from drawing situations out more. This would help audiences stay invested in Jugyeong’s and other’s happenings significantly. 

The chapter also had some weird animated segments. There were times when characters’ movements mirrored those of folks you’d find in visual novels. Fortunately, there weren’t a lot of moments like that.

However, those subtle instances could ruin a viewer’s enjoyment of this episode. On the bright side, the episode’s comedy was great and many folks will like the rival dynamic between Sujin and Jugyeong (so far). It’s obvious Sujin likely enticed Hyunwoo to date Jugyeong because she’s jealous of Jugyeong and Suho’s relationship.

We’re optimistic Sujin will get her just desserts in the future. But all in all, this wasn’t a fantastic episode of True Beauty. It has some remarkable moments but the pacing and subtle visual problems hamper this one from being great. Hopefully, episode 5 will provide audiences with better results.