True Beauty – Season 1 Episode 5 Recap & Review

I thought becoming pretty would make a difference

Episode 5 of True Beauty begins with Suho looking through someone’s profile on his phone. Suho calls one of his friends and asks them if they know who Hyunwoo is. His friend tells him that Hyunwoo is bad news and suggests he stay away from him. Sua arrives and tells Suho that Jugyeong is on a hotel date with her boyfriend. 

Then, we cut away to Seojun performing some hotel clean-up duties. This takes place before he confronts Hyunwoo during episode 4’s closing events. Seojun eavesdrops on Hyunwoo’s conversation and follows him to the elevator. Then, Seojun receives a call from Suho. Suho arrives and discusses matters with Seojun. 

Meanwhile, Jugyeong ponders her situation with Hyunwoo. Jugyeong’s concerned about what’ll happen to her and Hyunwoo if she discovers the truth about her “ugly side.” Before Jugyeong puts on waterproof makeup, Suho and Seojun knock on her door. The two enter her room and plan to reveal the truth about Hyunwoo to her. 

The boys search the room and Suho finds the camera Hyunwoo hid in one of the lamps. Jugyeong wonders what’s happening. Then, we receive the segment that aired during last week’s chapter, with Seojun knocking out Hyunwoo and calling the police. Hyunwoo argues it’s not entirely his fault since Sujin put him up to this. 

Seojun and Suho chase Hyunwoo down. While the two chase after Hyunwoo, Suho gets hit by a car. We cut away to Seojun at Gangrim Hospital. He speaks with one of the personnel there. Then, Seojun and Jugyeong visit Suho in his hospital room. Seojun suggests that Jugyeong wait outside. Jugyeong calls Sujin and asks her if they can meet at a cafe. 

Jugyeong and Sujin meet up at the cafe. Sujin arrives and Jugyeong asks Sujin if Hyunwoo was right about Sujiin being responsible for this romantic pairing scheme. Sujin toys with Jugyeong and Jugyeong can’t believe Sujin would treat her this way. Jugyeong tells Sujin that Suho got hurt because of her actions. 

Sujin argues the opposite and departs. Meanwhile, Seojun monitors Suho in the hospital. Then, we enter a flashback. In it, we see Suho protecting a classmate named Seyeon from bullies. Seojun arrives and helps Suho. Then, Seyeon tries persuading Seojun to be a trainee with him. Seojun ignores Seyeon despite Seyeon complimenting him on his talents. 

Then, Suho arrives and suggests he, Seojun, and Seyeon meet somewhere to talk. Seojun and Suho realize Seyeon got beat up by bullies again. Seyeon says he’s unfazed because he knows difficult times will come and go. After hearing Seyeon ramble further, Seojun says he’ll consider trying that trainee audition.

Sometime later, we see our trio lying on the ground. Seojun was certain they’d all be a part of the same group. However, we learn that Seyeon will debut first. Seyeon laughs and tells the boys they should’ve tried harder. Then, we cut away to Suho resting at the library. Suho wakes up and learns Seyeon committed suicide and left a note for his friends and family to read. 

Later, Seojun confronts Suho about Seyeon’s suicide. Seojun blames Suho for everything. Then, we return to the present timeline. Jugyeong hopes Suho will be okay. Then, Jugyeong receives a phone call from Sua. Sua tells Jugyeong that someone spread an ill rumor about Jugyeong on the school’s bulletin board. 

Jugyeong looks at the comments being shared about her. She reflects on all the acts of kindness she has shared with everyone and rushes toward a nearby railing. Jugyeong reflects on everything she’s been through. She throws Hyunwoo’s camera into the river and vows not to run away. 

Jugyeong puts on some make-up and heads to school to confront Sujin. Sujin refuses to discuss matters with Jugyeong. Jugyeong grabs Sujin’s mirror, tells Sujin she won’t back down from her, and tosses her mirror. Jugyeong leaves. The episode ends with Jugyeong wondering if she made the right choice.

The Episode Review

This episode of True Beauty was underwhelming. However, it sets fans up for a potentially thrilling clash between Jugyeong and Sujin. Regardless, this episode suffers from the same issues that hampered previous releases. And that’s poor pacing and story structure. It was hard to monitor what was happening in certain scenarios. 

Like Metallic Rouge, a sci-fi anime that aired during the Spring 2024 anime season, this series doesn’t know how to handle “time” properly. From Suho and Seojun’s rescue efforts to Suho’s car accident incident, most scenarios that are meant to be thrilling or sad come off as utterly hysterical. 

Fans would resonate with the character’s situations if True Beauty’s pacing and structure were better. Moreover, the scenario regarding Seyeon, Seojun, and Suho doesn’t feel as impactful as it could’ve been. Cyberbullying is a serious issue much like regular bullying is. Many anime, like Oshi No Ko, showcase how gutwrenching cyberbullying can be. 

Unfortunately, many fans won’t feel as bad about Seyeon’s experience with it. He doesn’t receive enough screen time. Seyeon feels more like a plot device to make fans feel bad for Jugyeong. And even Jugyeong herself is someone some fans won’t find worthy of their sympathy. 

While we’re optimistic True Beauty’s anime adaptation may produce great results still, it may be best for some to watch the live-action K-drama adaptation of this one, just in case.