Title: Shadow Beauty, False Beauty
Episodes: 13
Genre: School, Bullying, Youth, Romance, Friendship, Psychological, Social Media
Story: 8 out of 10
Characters: 8 out of 10
Cinematography: 8 out of 10
Korean Drama Shadow Beauty is a dark, twisty school drama
Story
Ae Jin, a high school girl who is being bullied at school for her looks, and has a hard time at home as well, finds escape at her social media account, where she takes the persona of Genie, a popular influencer whom she creates with lots of makeup and heavy editing. However, her double identity will be threatened when someone discovers her and is threatening to expose her.
Korean Drama Shadow Beauty is a short drama with a dark theme that deals with the subjects of bullying and psychological struggles.
The story starts right in the middle of things, with Ae Jin dealing with her awful school life, which has resulted in her finding it hard to trust anyone around her. And all that spirals deeper and deeper into the darkness, as Ae Jin loses the grip of reality when her perfect escape is being threatened.
The twists kept coming and the story was pretty intense at times, keeping things thrilling and suspenseful till the very end.
As for the conclusion, the drama wrapped up everything nicely. And it was a plus that they kept the focus on Ae Jin and her journey in finding happiness in her real life and not adding romance to overshadow the real message of the drama.
Characters
Ae Jin is a girl who keeps to herself, as she is being heavily bullied by her classmates and she is always in fear that she will do something that will cause her to be the center of ridicule. Her only escape and revenge on them is her double identity as Genie, a popular internet persona.
Shim Dal Gi was a delightful surprise and she was excellent.
Watch Shim Dal Gi in her other apperances in KDrama Hospital Playlist and KDrama The School Nurse’s Files
Jin Sung is the school’s other outcast, as he is training to be an idol, but doesn’t like to talk to people about it, which caused him to be ostracized. He is Ae Jin’s only friend and they often share their lunch breaks together.
Yang Hong Seok was really sweet as the main lead.
Watch Yang Hong Seok in his other works KDrama Twenty Twenty, K Drama Best Chicken, KDrama Move To Heaven and KDrama Blue Birthday
Ha Neul is a girl in Ae Jin’s class who has been tormenting her and making her give her things in order to keep her at bay. She is hiding her true family situation, as she pretends to be rich when her mother is struggling to keep them afloat owning a small restaurant. So, she feels inferior and takes it out on Ae Jin.
Heo Jung Hee was really good as the villain turned friend.
Ho In is the class’s president. He is secretly dating Ha Neul, but he is hiding who he truly is, as he has been seen as a monster by others in the past.
Choi Bo Min was really good as Ho In and proved that he can take up more gray characters other than main romantic leads.
Watch Choi Bo Min in his other dramas KDrama Twenty Twenty, KDrama Melting me Softly, KDrama A-Teen (season 1 and season 2) and KDrama 20th Century Girl and Boy
Min Jin is a new transfer who is beautiful and popular. She lets everyone think that she’s Genie, as she looks like her, and she acts friendly towards everyone when she is always plotting and planning for everything to work to her advantage.
Lee Na Gyung did a great job with her character.
Cinematography
The drama had the right atmosphere and the perfect pace for the story.
Overall
My overall rating for the Korean Drama Shadow Beauty is 8 out of 10. The drama was dark and twisty.
Looking for more dramas like Shadow Beauty? Then check out these ones
- KDrama True Beauty
- K Drama My ID is Gangnam Beauty
- KDrama A Beauty of Revenge
- JDrama Black Cinderella
- KDrama Moment at Eighteen
- JDrama Kikazaru Koi ni wa Riyuu ga Atte
- KDrama Live On
- JDrama #Remolove
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