She Was Pretty review

Drama name: She Was Pretty
Country: South Korea
Year: Sept- Nov 2015 

I stumbled across this drama while watching W-Two Worlds, someone commented that the two cameo characters appeared in "She Was Pretty", so I went and looked up this drama... 

So, what's this drama about?

It's about a lady named Kim Hye Jin, who has yet to secure a full-time job... She struggles working part-time at a bar and has a beautiful, rich bff name Min Ha Ri. They live together and have been best friends since young. Hye Jin was once a pretty young girl, but when she hit puberty, she became more like her father who has frizzy hair and lots of freckles. When she was younger, she had a chubby boy named Ji Seong Joon, living next door to her. Hye Jin became close with Seong Joon as he was constantly bullied by their classmates. She shared a special relationship with him and they parted ways when he had to leave for the States. 

Seong Joon is all grown up now and he came back looking for Hye Jin. The thing is, that chubby boy grew into a handsome, successful man. They were supposed to meet at the park but when Hye Jin saw him, he walked passed her as he did not recognise her at all. At that moment, she felt so ashamed and hid herself. She got her bff Ha Ri to pretend to be her and meet Seong Joon... Yup, this is where things get complicated... (because, it's drama... yes?! ;P) 

Hye Jin finally gets a job at a company but then she was loaned to another department, the Most magazine production team. To her horror, the new Deputy Editor is Seong Joon. He was sent by the New York headquarters to sort of "save" the magazine. The story goes on with how Hye Jin has to deal with Seong Joon who does not recognise her and her bff Ha Ri who eventually falls in love with Seong Joon. 

Overall thoughts?

This drama's story line definitely reminds you of Ugly Betty.  It revolves around a fashion magazine, ugly duckling girl transforms into a beautiful swan... Although there are some tweaks here and there. It's about first love, something that Koreans seem to have a big deal about. Also, the team members are not as nasty as in Ugly Betty. Even the Chief Editor Ra Ra is not b*tchy like Wilhelmina Slater. 

Actually, there is another drama which I watched earlier this year that is similar to this one as well. It's a Hong Kong TVB drama named Fashion War. Since this drama was out earlier, I would like to think that the Hong Kong version is based off this drama. 

Best parts of the drama?

The Most magazine office... (Yes, interiors again! ;D ) 

The second male lead- Jackson guy... (Played by Choi Siwon- I actually don't know who he is until my colleague told me he's from Super Junior... I'm like okay, I've heard of Super Junior but I seriously don't know anything about them) His character here is really funny and endearing. This is where you will get the 2nd lead syndrome... 

The Dr Marten's shoes ... Seriously, those shoes are awesome okay?! It's such a cliche that ugly girls only wear them and have ugly hair, wear spectacles... 

Conclusion

The ending is really sweet. Hye Jin and Seong Joon gets married and have a little girl that looks just like her mum! I think this is the first drama I've seen that the male and female lead get married and have a happy ending. Ha Ri becomes a hotelier with her own merit and has a younger man chasing after her. As for the Jackson guy, he continues his carefree life travelling the world and doing the things he love... 

I would recommend this drama if you love a sweet, light-hearted story... Although the plot is very predictable you will still have plenty of laughs from the Jackson guy...