Why "Beauty Inside" Will Always Be My Favorite K-Drama | #BenchPaylaBlog

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Beauty Inside (2018), starring Seo Hyun-jin and Lee Min-ki, will always be my top pick when asked what K-Drama Series I've ever loved. This drama series is one of the best instances of how a romantic comedy doesn't have to reinvent the wheel to win your heart, despite the fact that some people will roll their eyes and call it "too cheesy" or "predictable."

It’s soft, charming, and exactly the kind of drama that you finish with a smile plastered on your face. And honestly? That’s the beauty inside of Beauty Inside.

The Story That Hooked Me

The incredibly talented Seo Hyun-jin portrays Han Se Gye, an A-list actress known for being a "troublemaker." Her glitzy persona conceals a strange secret: every month, for a full week, she literally changes into a different person. She occasionally awakens as an old man, a child, or even a stranger from a different country. It's simultaneously tragic and hilarious.

Seo Hyun-Jin as Han Se Gye | Photo screengrabbed from Netflix

On the other hand, Seo Do Jae, played by Lee Min-ki, is an ideal airline director: tall, good-looking, intelligent, and prosperous. He has a secret, though, and that is that he has prosopagnosia, or facial blindness. Imagine being unable to identify your friends, relatives, or even coworkers by their faces. Do Jae fights that war every day, and he makes it through by learning peculiarities, gestures, and voices.

Lee Min-ki as Seo Do Jae |  Photo screengrabbed from Netflix

Here’s the twist I love: Han Se Gye is the only person whose face he can recognize. Talk about fate, right?

Why I’ll Defend It Against the Haters

People who call this drama “cheesy” or “boring” are missing the point. Of course, it’s packed with all the classic rom-com essentials—slow-motion gazes, witty arguments that ignite unexpected sparks, and those dramatic love declarations that leave you grinning with joy. But isn’t that exactly why we love rom-coms?

To me, a drama is cheesy when it tries too hard without any genuine heart behind it. Beauty Inside has heart. Lots of it. It’s not just about two people falling in love—it’s about two people with unusual struggles finding someone who sees them for who they really are.

And honestly, that’s something all of us can relate to. Don’t we all want someone who accepts us, flaws and all?

Han Se Gye & Seo Do Jae  |  Photo screengrabbed from Netflix

A KDrama That Feels Like Comfort Food

I won’t pretend this drama is life-changing or the deepest story ever told. It’s not. But it doesn’t need to be. Watching it feels like curling up with a warm blanket or eating your favorite comfort food. It’s soft, sweet, and exactly what you want after a stressful day.

In fact, that’s what I admire most about Beauty Inside. It knows exactly what it is: a feel-good rom-com. It doesn’t try to be dark or overly complex. It’s confident in its simplicity—and that’s what makes it beautiful.

Seo Hyun-Jin = PERFECTION!

I can’t talk about this drama without praising Seo Hyun-jin. She’s the heart of the series. Her ability to make Han Se Gye lovable, vulnerable, and funny all at once is amazing. She made me laugh, cry, and root for her every step of the way.

Seo Hyun-Jin as Han Se Gye | Photo screengrabbed from Netflix

Lee Min-ki delivered a captivating performance as Seo Do Jae, blending charisma with a touch of subtle vulnerability. The chemistry between them felt natural and understated, making their romance even more charming.

Lee Min-ki as Seo Do Jae |  Photo screengrabbed from Netflix

What I Learned From Beauty Inside

This drama might seem light and fluffy at first glance, but it left me with lasting lessons:

Love is all about embracing acceptance.

Han Se Gye feared she couldn't be loved because of her condition, but Do Jae showed her that true love goes beyond appearances.

We are greater than our imperfections.

Do Jae’s prosopagnosia could have negatively shaped his life, but he discovered ways to adapt—and through this, he learned to appreciate people for who they truly are, rather than how they appear.

Happiness doesn't need to be complicated. 

Sometimes, all we need is someone who truly sees us and understands us. That alone can be everything. 

Maybe that’s why Beauty Inside feels so special to me. It’s more than just a rom-com—it’s a reminder that the most beautiful things in life are often the simplest: love, acceptance, and the bravery to be your true self.

Final Thoughts

In the end, Beauty Inside isn’t just another rom-com for me—it’s the one I’ll always return to. It shows that a drama doesn’t need heavy plots or shocking twists to leave an impact. Sometimes, all it takes is a story about love, acceptance, and the magic of finding someone who truly sees you.

So yes, haters can call it cheesy all they want. For me, Beauty Inside will always be that one drama that brings a smile to my face, makes my heart flutter, and restores viewers' faith in love all over again.

WATCH IT HERE: Beauty Inside - Netflix

OST PLAYLIST HERE: Beauty Inside OST

Thank you for reading. Catch you in the next one!

-BENCH