K-Drama Recommendations to Bring Out the Best in You! Part 1

Have you decided on what changes or improvements you want for yourself this year? Let's get that inspiration from these K-dramas so we could not only enjoy the story but also get the lessons from great series!

THE PHYSICAL GLOW-UP SERIES

Here are three drama recommendations you could squeeze in your schedule (just in case you haven't watched them yet) if you feel like having that physical glow-up this year.

1. True Beauty (2020)- Moon Ga Young, Cha Eun Woo, Hwang In Youp

True Beauty is a webtoon adaptation about Lim Jugyeong (Moon Ga Young) who learned the techniques of make-up to hide her hurtful past of being tormented by bullies. If we go beyond the love story line of this series, we can learn that sometimes, some minor "adjustments" or "efforts" will go a long way. Instead of cowering away from the bullies, a few lifestyle change can improve the appearance that will help boost our self-esteem.

But, there's a BUT here... do not be like Jugyeong who would rather be caught dead than to bare her no-make up face to anyone. Make-up is used to enhance our TRUE BEAUTY not to hide our identity.

2. Oh My Venus! (2015)- Shin Min Ah, So Ji Sub

When her boyfriend of 15 years broke up with her, Kang Joo Eun (Shin Min Ah) got help from Kim Young Ho (So Ji Sub) a mysterious person whom she met on a plane by accident. Kim Young Ho, known as Doctor John in the United States hides his identity as the renowned trainer of celebrity from his family.

What I liked about the series is the reminder that there are considerations when we want to lose weight. Joo Eun who kept on passing out apparently has hypothyroidism and should not overexert in her workouts. Joo Eun, who was formerly known as the Beauty of Daegu displayed admirable traits of perseverance to achieve her weight goal.

3. Dream High (2011)- Bae Suzy, Kim Soo Hyun, Ok Taecyeon, IU, Jang Wooyoung

The inspiration of the glow up from this series will be from Song Sam Dong (Kim Soo Hyun) and Kim Pil Suk's (IU) characters. As you can see from the picture that a mere haircut for Sam Dong already made a huge difference in his appearance. Also, I liked the storyline of IU's character here. Kim Pil Suk is one of the best singers in Kirin Academy but she is usually bypassed because of her chubby appearance and weight that makes her awkward and shy despite her talent. Inspired by Jason (Wooyoung of 2PM) to lose weight, she made efforts of exercising and dietary changes that led her to lose weight.

In the series, we can see the harsh reality of opportunities passing up because of how people put importance on a person's appearance. I would like to emphasize the importance of accepting the "concerns" as is. We do not have to be perfect to be pleasing to the eyes. If weight is the cause of insecurity, then exercise and diet, together with healthy lifestyle changes can help. If it's the skin/complexion, then changing habits, products, may help as well as some facials can be done.

I chose these three dramas to inspire that glow up because it reminds the viewers that we have to take action if we want something to change. Whether it's getting a haircut, change of hair color, losing weight or aiming for glass skin... we have to know what we want to achieve and make the necessary steps to achieve it.