I adored the art in this story; it's absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, the story itself missed the mark for me.

I did fly through the story quickly, but it didn't take long for the bullying and hateful comments constantly being flung at the main character about her appearance to become exhausting. I understand the point that's being made, but it felt like the author was really beating the reader over the head with it.

I also wish the ARC would've included a few more chapters of the story because it ended so suddenly it felt like the story ended mid-sentence, and we didn't really get to see any conflict yet.

I can't tell at the moment if I continued with this story if it would help me enjoy it more or not, so for now I'm going to hold off on going to webtoon to continue reading.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've been seeing this and the other books in this series everywhere, but I haven't read anything from this author/creator and I'm so glad I got the chance to read it here bec I liked it A LOT.

You'll find here familiar themes of struggling with physical beauty and hiding behind facades (makeup and whatnot) but I found the voice and heart of the story quite genuine and authentic. It's been years since i have been a teenager myself, but the depiction of the characters - their youthfulness and coming to terms with emotional and mental maturity - is still relatable and realistic.

It's a v fun read too. We have a smattering of funny bits, mingled with mild political correctness (that is ENOUGH - not too in your face, but also not blink-and-miss) and a budding romance that really takes its time to develop, but isn't boring at all.

Totally looking forward to reading the rest of the books!

My reviews are done in video format. I recommend following the link below to view the content as I've intended it.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR9JhkBg/

The script for said video is below:

Hello and welcome to the Warmadillo Inc. Board review of True Beauty by Yaongyi. For full disclosure a copy of this book was provided for free by the publisher for the purpose of this review. Now let's get started with our opening statements.

Warmadillo On the Left
True Beauty is the cosmetic life story of one Jugyeong Lim. Volume 1 is presented largely as a flashback to her time in middle/high school as she discovers the transformative power of make-up. Tired of feeling inadequate compared to the rest of her peers, Jugyeong dives headlong into fashion and beauty Instagram in search of a community and self-worth. Our coverage of this title might raise some eyebrows since we clearly don't know anything about fashion, let alone make-up, but I'm glad we read it because I found this to be an endearing narrative. And you'll never believe this, but True Beauty is a Webtoon that actually has solid page composition.

Executive Warmadillo
As an eldritch entity lacking a face I do have to admit that the focus on make-up was something that I thought would really push me away from engaging with this title. However, I did learn a lot of about eyelid adhesive and that's definitely worth something. More importantly for me is that the series is actually quite funny. Yaongyi clearly spends a lot of time on the internet and very much enjoys meme style reaction humor. I know that format doesn't appeal to everyone, but these faces got me every single time.

Warmadillo
As someone put off by that humor I would like to chime in. True Beauty is a real slow burn of a first volume. I was really just consuming it passively until the appearance of this Persona 5 protagonist looking guy. You know the quickest way to my heart is with a morally questionable power imbalance in a relationship and this guy brings that to the table. He learns who Jugyeong is under the make-up and uses that against her to dominate her life. Love it.

Warmadillo After Dark
I want to back Warmadillo up on this book being a slow burn because it wasn't until the back third that I became invested. I don't want to spoil her appearance but we meet another girl that is an absolute monster and she is out to wreck Jugyeong's life Mean Girls style.

Warmadillo On the Desk
Well I'm glad you all found something to enjoy about this title because I couldn't stand this book. Jugyeong is exuding such "Not Like Other Girls" energy that it killed everything else True Beauty was even trying to do. She is absolutely insufferable and I didn't find anything compelling about her narrative.

Mid-Point
Warmadillo
It seems you stand alone on this title so I will let On the Desk start the final thoughts portion.

On the Desk
I think what annoys me most about True Beauty is the way it reinforces a troubling narrative of women's association with make-up. The idea that using make-up means you're being deceptive and that's not who you really are. It's got a real "Take your girlfriend swimming for a date" flavor to it, and I hate that. Thumbs way down.

On the Left
I'm actually inclined to agree with that assessment, but I think the story has the potential to rise above and do something compelling with those stereotypes. Thumbs-up.

Warmadillo
I think I speak for After Dark as well when I say that I want to know how trashy and dark things get with all the people trying to control Jugyeong's life so for me it is a thumbs-up.

After Dark
Took the words right out of my mouth. Thumbs-up from me.

Executive Warmadillo
I think this title is just fine but it does lean further towards a recommendation because I did learn a lot about cosmetics and social media. So that's a thumbs-up.

Warmadillo
And there you have it, with 4 votes in favor and 1 against, True Beauty is Warmadillo Inc certified - Recommended.

Normally I don't read books on MCs in high school, and I thought this was going to be about an adult woman (Jugyeong is 21` when we first meet her at the beginning of the book, before the plot goes back to when she's in high school and explains how she ended up with such unearthly beauty), but I enjoyed this a lot.

Jugyeong is a very relatable character. Some of her cringey behaviour like when she first tried on makeup and ended up doing it poorly, asking for relationship advice online endeared her to me. It reminds me of my own teenage blunders and awkwardness!

There seems to be the potential for this story to meaningfully comment on a looks obsessed society, but it wasn't quite realized here. Maybe in later volumes?

This story is filled with genuinely funny humour, especially those sudden art-style switches and exaggerated expressions.

I don't enjoy love triangles, and I don't think this one really fits into that trope because of some juicy information that tantalizes us readers at the very end of the book!

I can't get my hands on the sequel fast enough! Thank you, NetGalley for providing this ARC for a review.

This ARC was provided by NetGalley!

I always saw this popping up on WEBTOON and knew it was popular (hello it’s got 930 million views) but now I know why it’s so popular.

Because it’s SO FREAKING GOOD! I am OBSESSED with our silly little protagonist and obviously adore our rough on the outside sweet on the inside love interest. I always hate the tropes of fat girl gone skinny or ugly gone pretty - I don’t like those vibes because it always ends up fatphobic or some kind of phobic. However, this feels a lot more realistic to what life is like. Sure our protagonist thinks she’s ugly although she’s really just an average girl going through puberty. But at the same time, she still goes out without makeup, she knows makeup makes her feel good (which is why I put on makeup - it’s fun) and she knows that her real self is great. I do want her to realize that she can be her true self, still wear makeup that makes her happy but also not hide about her interests. Hopefully with our love interest that’ll happen.
One other aspect I love is how our author walks us through what our protagonist uses for makeup and how she applies it. I find that so fun and it’s the first time I learned about double sided eye tape!!!

I love this story, I’m definitely getting it for our library and 100% will be picking this story up on WEBTOON.

It was a different experience reading vs watching True Beauty. The bullying and expectations of looking a certain way are themes in this volume. I hope folks will enjoy reading these volumes and see the adaptation.

I loved this comic the only thing I don't like is now I have to wait months for the next volume to come out! The art style is great, clean, and beautiful. The story feels so real and relatable, especially for teens. I graduated high school some time ago but I remember having similar feelings as a teen and wanting to fit in and look as beautiful as the popular girls. I love seeing how she learned to become good at makeup and beautifying techniques but she can still be her nerdy comic loving undone self. Her relationship with her brother is cute with all of their sibling squabbling. My favorite parts are when she goes to the comic shop without doing all the makeup and hair and her interactions there. I don't want to say much more as I'm afraid to spoil something. I'm gonna get a friend to read this soon so I rant and rave with them about this awesome comic!

* I received an eARC/e-galley of this book via Netgalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

This review is for readers who are already familiar with the webtoon and are interested in owning the physical hardbound copy of True Beauty.

This volume covers episodes 1-13. The art looks unchanged from the webtoon edition. The page breaks flow nicely from one to the next. How readable the comic is remains intact, despite adapting the continuous scroll comic into pages with clean breaks.

I think the cover is beautiful and adding this to your shelves, is a great way to support the author of this beloved comic. I was, however, a bit disappointed that there weren't any extras: splash pages, author notes, concept art added to this physical print run. It seems a shame to not include any extras or exclusive content for fans to enjoy. This is fairly standard practice for print runs (Especially for hardcovers), so I am baffled that nothing was included. Reading this edition was truly no different than reading the story on webtoon.

If you are a hardcore fan, or reading True Beauty for the first time, then I would recommend picking this up at your local bookstore. However, if you were looking for bonus content, then I would just stick to reading online.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Never Young Com for sending me one of my favourite Korean manhwa as an E-ARC in return for an honest review.

Let me tell you when I about screamed in delight with at first seeing True Beauty being published in English finally, and then being sent the e-arc. This was one of my favourite kdramas, and I am so happy to finally have my hands on the manhwa, because I need my both my boys back again. I also get to see my favourite of the two Seo-jun finally have the scenes he deserved from the TV show.

It did not disappoint and I can't wait for a physical copy to be finally in my hands. I think we all can agree at times we are like the main character, we feel insecure about ourselves. For me I related a lot with her in the TV show and in the manhwa, I have often been bullied before, and I struggled a lot as a teen finding friends.

This had some funny moments but it relies heavily on tropes that are pretty played out: the mean beautiful girl, the ugly duckling who gets a makeover to be beautiful, the cold guy with a heart of gold, etc. It's also a pretty disturbing look into Korean beauty standards (at one point the MC who is in middle school asks her mom for eye surgery to look more western. ICK!)

I first heard about “True Beauty” via WEBTOON, where it was first published. I saw a couple of panels and never got to read the rest. I decided to give it a go since it’s up as a K-drama series, and I want to read it first before watching it. One thing, I LOVE THE ART!! The graphics on this manwha is gorgeous. The way the story flows may be a bit choppy in the beginning, but it smoothes out as the chapter goes on, and as the author/artist's first manwha, it’s understandable. Now, why only three stars? I felt the main character’s character needed a bit more development. She’s funny, into horror, and kind but a bit shallow. However, I’m not calling it quits. This story might have some potential; thus, I’m looking forward to the rest of the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Webtoon for the ARC!

I just didn't really like it. While I appreciate some of the takes it has on social standards of beauty, it just felt a little repetitive. I am not going to continue to read the series.

So fun! The art style is super easy to follow and the pages are really easy on the eyes. I thought the story was really cute and unique, even though it included the "amazingly hot and smart but standoffish guy" trope. I especially loved the meme-like emotions. Would love to keep reading the series!

I have been reading the webtoon for years now and while I don't like the series as I once did I still think it had a good start and I am glad to see it being traditionally published in a book I could one day take home and own. The lead can be frustrating but as someone with insecurities, I can still sympathize with her and like how she herself always tries to be kind to others.
The biggest thing for me though is that it is obvious who she will be with from the start and there is no real surprise with this book/series, but I might read too much romance and have gotten so used to the tropes.
The art is wonderful and I love looking at the art ,always have

Great comic novel!
I’m a huge manga fan but I never truly had the chance to explore them enough. Thanks to netgalley I had the chance to experience more than once and I am very glad.
In a story about how much beauty is not everything we need in life to be accepted by friends and people, this manga was amazing !!!
I really enjoyed it and I truly think this novels have a huge potential!!!

I loved the excitement of reading each episode on Webtoon and now being able to have it in my hands as a complete volume has me even more excited. The format is perfectly done and I can't wait for the next volume to continue my reread.

I'm glad to see webtoons receiving state-side physical releases, considering I personally dislike the reading format of webtoons, and True Beauty is one that just makes sense. It's enjoyable, well-drawn, and compelling enough to keep a reader coming back for more. Our MC fulfills the high school fantasy of moving to somewhere completely new and getting to change your looks and reinvent yourself, but it doubles as a commentary about how beauty gives girls advantages in a world so concerned with image, but it also shows that people who truly care about you don't care about your outer appearance.

True Beauty hasn't always been one of my favorite webtoons, but I still appreciate what it is, and I think it will find pretty solid success.

4/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Jugyeong is a comic book lover who's insecure about her looks, and she's not very popular. Her whole world changes when she watches makeup tutorials online. She completely changes her image with makeup, and people suddenly love her. With her popularity at an all-time high, Jugyeong has no shortage of friends. But no one really knows her true self, and Jugyeong wants to keep it that way.

When I saw this Webtoon was getting a print version, I knew I had to give it a shot! I've heard about this series for a while now, and I've even watched the first episode of the k-drama. So far, the story is fairly interesting and the art is gorgeous!

A lot of people are complaining about how shallow the characters are, but I don't really have a problem with it. High schoolers are often shallow and popularity-obsessed. It seems like the message of the series will ultimately be not to judge based solely on appearances, and I'm looking forward to getting to that point.

Things got more entertaining when Suho showed up. I like his relationship with Jugyeong already, and I'm excited to see where it goes from here (though I have an idea of what to expect from what I've heard about this series.)

I'm definitely going to continue with volume 2, and I'll re-evaluate my feelings about this series from there. I'm enjoying it so far, but if the drama gets to be too much, I might not keep going. I do intend to finish the k-drama regardless though!

If this book sounds too cliche for you, I wouldn't suggest it. But if the blurb made you curious or you enjoy drama, then you should try reading this.

In the interests of being transparent, I requested this to read because I watched the Korean Drama adaptation of this and I was incredibly curious as I'd heard the original webtoon is entirely different! I also couldn't really read the review copy of this as it didn't seem to download properly but I sought it out on the original web app and I may or may not have read more than I should have!

I have to say, I really did get hooked on this and I couldn't stop reading it! I thought the art was really pretty and drew the eye and I loved the difference in the way she was drawn with and without makeup! I also found our MC really relatable on a couple of different levels so I can't help but root for her!

This may seem kind of shallow at the beginning but I feel like it's a situation/feeling kind of thing that quite a few people will relate to, especially teenagers, as they will have been in a similar situation! I already can't wait for the bullies to get their comeuppance and I can't wait for the romance to start either! I also may or may not have read a bit beyond this volume and...I truly do feel like some deeper topics are handled within this manhwa.

All in all, it's an excellent start with a lot of promise for what's to come!

obsessed with this manhwa the art is super pretty and the plot is so fun and so entertaining
i LIVE for this type of stories it can turn cringey easily but that’s not the case here the characters are actually everything to me i’m so attached especially after the k-drama