She Was Pretty

Back in 2015, MBC's Wednesday-Thursday slot belonged to a romantic comedy that turned the familiar ugly-duckling story on its head. She Was Pretty paired Hwang Jung-eum with Park Seo-jun, two actors at the top of their game, and gave them a script by Jo Sung-hee that mixed sharp workplace satire with genuine warmth. The premise: a girl who was once adorable grows up plain and broke, while the chubby boy she befriended becomes a handsome, successful editor. When they reconnect after fifteen years, she's too ashamed to reveal herself and sends her gorgeous best friend to impersonate her. Chaos, as you'd expect, follows.

The show ran for sixteen episodes from September 16 to November 11, 2015, pulling in ratings that peaked above 18% in Korea. It also became a favorite among international viewers, thanks to streaming on Netflix and Viki. What set it apart wasn't the plot, which leaned on familiar tropes, but the execution. Hwang's physical comedy as the frizzy-haired, freckled Hye-jin was a revelation, while Choi Si-won, as the eccentric journalist Kim Shin-hyuk, stole scenes with his playful energy. The fashion-magazine setting gave the writers room to poke fun at the industry, and the show's message about looking past appearances landed with surprising sincerity.

Nearly a decade later, She Was Pretty still pops up on best K-drama lists. Its leads went on to bigger things, Park Seo-jun especially, but this remains one of the titles that put them on the map. In May 2026, TelevisaUnivision announced a Mexican adaptation, proof that the story's appeal hasn't faded. Whether you're new to K-dramas or a longtime fan, this one holds up. [edit]

Kim Hye-jin (Hwang Jung-eum) was the prettiest girl in her neighborhood, with a wealthy family and a loyal friend in Ji Sung-joon (Park Seo-jun), a chubby boy she defended from bullies. Fast forward fifteen years: Hye-jin's family lost their money, and she's now a part-time convenience store clerk with a frizzy perm, freckles, and zero confidence. Sung-joon, meanwhile, has slimmed down, become a successful editor at a fashion magazine called The Most, and grown a cold, exacting personality. When he reaches out to reconnect, Hye-jin panics. She convinces her stunning best friend Min Ha-ri (Go Joon-hee) to pose as her at the meeting, hoping to avoid embarrassment.

The deception spirals when Hye-jin lands a job at The Most, only to discover her new boss is Sung-joon. He treats her with disdain, unaware she's the friend he's been searching for. Meanwhile, Ha-ri, who genuinely develops feelings for Sung-joon, struggles with guilt as the lie grows. Enter Kim Shin-hyuk (Choi Si-won), a quirky, free-spirited journalist at the magazine who nicknames Hye-jin 'Jackfruit' and becomes a second love interest, complicating the already tangled web.

Across the season, the show balances workplace comedy, editorial meetings, fashion shoots, office rivalries, with deeper questions about identity and self-worth. Hye-jin's professional growth mirrors her personal journey, as she learns to value herself beyond her looks. The arc builds toward the inevitable reveal, but the real tension lies in whether Sung-joon can see past appearances, whether Ha-ri can own up to her mistake, and whether Hye-jin can forgive the people who hurt her. It's a classic romantic comedy structure, but the sharp writing and energetic performances keep it feeling fresh.[edit]