You Are Beautiful (2009) User Reviews

You are Beautiful is a cute romantic comedy that is worth watching...

[fprefect-685-281084 · 8/10 · 27 June 2013]

You are Beautiful is a cute 2009 kdrama rom-com worth watching. The story: a twin sister joins a pop band A.N.JELL to cover for her twin brother was set to join the pop band but is recovering from botched plastic surgery. The twin sister reluctantly takes a break from becoming a nun to support her brother's dream of fame which he believes will make it easier to look for their mystery mother.

What I liked: a) Pop band lead Hwang Tae Kyung (Jang Geun Suk) is smart, selfish, blunt, and precise. Great facial expressions! Pig-Rabbit was darling. I loved watching this character grow into love and move away from me to we. b) Female lead Go Mi Nam (Park Shin Hye) has her own forthright charm (pig nose when feeling love) but is manipulated due to her love for others and the need to protect. c) Masquerade as a boy is known early to key characters, so the love interests are aware of the situation. This is not Coffee Prince. d) Catchy pop tunes. e) Final declaration of love is satisfying.

What I didn't like: a) Villains' manipulations went on too long from the characters Yoo He Yi (Uee) and Tae Kyung's mother (Kim Sung Ryung). I wish these characters had been defanged earlier in the series. b) Go Mi Nam's aunt (Choi Ran) did not appeal to me. I could delete this character. c) Search for the mystery mother got bogged down mid-way, it does come to a conclusion. d) Masquerade as a boy could have been resolved earlier, the rationale felt flimsy after mid-way in the series.

Music, Romance & Friendship

[christa-pelc · 7/10 · 6 March 2021]

I enjoyed the colorful musical scenes, and the characters especially were cute and such fun altogether! This series is meant for teens, though - I often found myself frustrated over the drama and arguments - most could've been resolved if people would simply talk to each about it. But overall, everyone had their ups and down, showed forgiveness to each other, and just were good friends.

I was gonna rate it higher but...

[leilaskater · 7/10 · 6 June 2019]

I was gonna give this series an 8 or 9. It is very interesting and cute, but the fact that Shinwoo tries SO HARD to get her to notice bothers me SO MUCH!!! I'm not saying Taekyung doesn't deserve a chance, but in this situation Shinwoo should be the one! It is so saddening to see the boy going out of his way, secretly taking care of her, and even CREATING THE BEST DATE EVER for her in secret, to recieve no appreciation in return! I had to put this out there. It seemed too forced. In real life a boy like that either wouldn't exist (Which I doubt) or the girl would ATLEAST give him a chance. Very disappointed with this choice of plot.

10 stars from a heavy metal rock 'n' rolla

[rooprect · 10/10 · 6 October 2015]

I've only seen the first 5 episodes, having binge watched the entire disc 1 in one night, but I couldn't contain myself. This is a great show.

As my title implies, I'm an old school (and old) rocker from the prior century. The concept of the boy band, when it first appeared in the 80s with the likes of New Kids on the Block, was an affront to my existence. And I was also somewhat skeptical of the K-pop and J-pop scenes, and I couldn't imagine that a prettyboy band could be nearly as funny as "Spinal Tap" with its raw, ridiculous, flat out nuts musicians. But read on...

"You're Beautiful", despite its less-than-sensational title, has some of the weirdest characters imaginable. And that's what makes it hilariously entertaining for musicians and non-musicians alike. My favorite character is "Kang", the creepy gothboy lead singer who is a germophobe (fear of dirt), agoraphobe (fear of crowds), haphephobe (fear of being touched), ataxophobe (fear of disorder), and on top of it all he's afraid of the dark, too. Despite all this, he maintains a facade of "cool" and absolute control which he asserts in a most tyrannical way over the others. Second in command is "Hwang" the lead guitarist who is the antithesis of the singer. He is a gentle, wise, friendly Buddha type person who seems better suited for monkhood than a pop band. Bringing up the bottom is "Jeremy" the drummer. Alas, poor drummers. They are always portrayed as the dimmest tube in the amp, and Jeremy is no exception. So thick that he can barely count to 4 to bring in the band, Jeremy is a refreshing gust of pure comic relief who balances out the moments of heavy drama (and despite this being a breezy comedy, there can be some heavy moments). And of course there's our hero/heroine "Go Mi Nam" who is exactly the way you'd expect a teenage nun to be, having been forced to masquerade as a boy in the nation's top pop band.

That brings me to the plot which you probably know already, but I'll recap: A teenage nun ends up masquerading as a boy in the nation's top pop band. But don't let the simplicity of that premise fool you. At times it gets surprisingly complicated and suspenseful, bringing to mind classic tales like Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" which revolve around the hilarity and complexity of cross-dressing. And just as powerful as the funny moments, there are also deeply emotional moments which might elicit a tear from even the most hardened heavy metal rocker. OK, I admit I bawled like a baby twice in 5 episodes. Stop smirking.

The overall presentation is cute and family-friendly. But at the same time there are gags that appeal to the adults amongst us. In one episode there's a scene involving the girl using ping pong balls to, how do I say... simulate manhood, and it had me choking with laughter for a solid 2 minutes.

I also must say a word about the actual music. I really like it. It's infectious, played well, and the actors even look like they're really playing their instruments. If you're like me, you might be sick of TV & movies where the actors look like they're holding a limp squid rather than a guitar. Well these actors are good enough to fool me.

So there you have it, nothing but high praise from me. I'm already sad that it's going to end, but at the same time I imagine this is the kind of show I'd want to watch over & over. Other band based comedies I highly recommend are "Swing Girls" (Japanese) about a group of misfits teen girls trying to play jazz, "A Mighty Wind" about a hilarious bunch of freaks playing folk music, "Music & Lyrics" starring Hugh Grant & Drew Barrymore with some riotous references to 80s pop, and the aforementioned mofo of all musical movies, "This Is Spinal Tap". See them all, and consider it the best music education you'll ever receive.

Still my favorite k drama

[summerriffaud · 10/10 · 13 November 2018]

I love the characters in this story. The love story is so beautifully written and performed.

Do not watch, dangerously addictive!

[elsamirre · 10/10 · 5 June 2021]

I watched it five times in a row. I knew what was going to happen and still sat on the edge of my bed at ungodly hours, fighting sleep away... laughing and crying. I paused to watch... The Heirs (a disappointment) because of Shin Hye and Love Rain because of Keun Suk (wonderful story). Sadly, the chemistry between the leads here is nowhere else to be found. I'm afraid, I'll have to watch again. And continue learning Korean, as I need to sing the songs properly. "Ottokhajyo" in the end, just grabbed my brains and heart and won't let go. I've turned into an ANJELL fan!

At first, I was misled about the guy who would eventually end up with Min-am. This kept me from noticing a lot of things. This was my excuse for watching again. And every time I do, I discover a new layer of details, feelings, deeper meanings in every action, sentence, glance. It's amazing how thorough this work is.

Kim In-Kwon is just terrific. I knew him from Angel Last Mission and already noticed his acting skills. But his performance here is really something. He is truly a great actor.

Shin-Hye is cute OMG! Kawaiiii (I know it's not Korean, but it fits her character) I'd hug her for the rest of my life. And she's acting well too.

Here comes a shower of congratulations and compliments to the most talented actor I've seen on screen so far, and I mean all nationalities combined. Jang Keun-Suk is not "Lee Min-Ho handsome". But what he can do with his face! Never have I seen an actor forword so many emotions with such acuracy and ease. Sometimes, I rewind over and over, and in just a few seconds, I find three, four different expressions sliding on this extraordinay face of his. His voice, his breathing and his body all work toghether in perfect harmony.

He does over do it in this show, but after watching Love Rain, I realized that his acting could also be more subtle. HIs every facial expression seems genuine. When I watch him, it's often with my mouth open.

Ah. Drawback. There is a serious problem with hugs and kisses. Please, dear directors, understand that these things are better left alone. Trying to enhance them in any way will only weaken their power. Forget slow motion and overlapping, please!

What else? The show is fun. Hilarious. Even after the fith time. I like it when the characters picture several outcomes to a situation. I'm laughing right now, thinking of it. I wish I could rate a hundred stars. This is brightening my day every time. I wish I could stop watching. Sigh...

Ottokhaeyo?

Great and fun

[claw-97583 · 10/10 · 17 February 2020]

I enjoyed myself immensely binging this kdrama; my best moments are the music scenes and manager Mahs "moments of madness", the "love triangle" fanfic and the night supermarket. The writing is just excellent, all those quirky ideas and details, so little weaknesses in the characters are excused by me...

disappointing, tiresome, and uninteresting.

[aminifatimaaa · 6/10 · 9 February 2019]

I had very high expectations for this drama, the cast was splendid and have always displayed good performances. So, at that department I was left satisfied, as the performances from all the actors and actresses were very good. However, the storyline was boring. It lacked intensity and it didn't ignite any interest. The plot as well was very bland, it started very slow and continued slow. The ending was satisfying, but there were no surprises or interesting twists happening. After the secret was revealed the drama had nothing to offer.

10 stars for nostalgia

[strawberrys_ · 10/10 · 27 October 2019]

This was my first Korean show. I've rewatched it many times now and it always makes me laugh and cry just as much as the first time. Sure, the twists are no longer as shocking and there are a few slow moments in the story-line but the acting is great.

This show has never disappointed me and I recommend this show to anyone who hasn't seen it yet or who hasn't seen any Korean shows and doesn't know where to start. This was the perfect introduction to Korean shows.

Cute and adorable but very juvenile

[phd_travel · 7/10 · 20 June 2020]

This show is ideal for a teenage mentality. A girl loved by all the boys in a boy band. Park Shin Hye is cute and adorable beyond any of her other roles. Jang Guen Suk sulks and scowls too much. Plus there is pig rabbit. The story is funny surprisingly so. The imagined scenes are hilarious. But the drama parts are tiresome especially towards the end. Still it is cute.

its own special charm

[Elegair · 10/10 · 25 March 2016]

You're beautiful is the drama that got me into dramas. Its a favorite of mine and I've watched it more than once. The characters in this show are well written and well acted.

Go Mi-Nyu / Go Mi-Nam: Park Shin-Hye did a great job acting as Mi- Nyu Though it bothered me greatly how weak the character was in personality. Go Mi-Nyu / nam, was quite a nervous wreck for parts of the show but who wouldn't be in that kind of situation? I really loved the chemistry between Mi-Nyu and Tae-Kyeong. I was in suspense throughout the show wondering when Go Mi-nyu's secret was going to be revealed.

Hwang Tae-Kyeong: Jang Keun Suk is an amazing actor, he pulled off the arrogant, cold, emotionally wounded germophobe leader very well. Tae-Keyong has many different phobias like the fear of being touched, fear of the dark. Tae-Kyeong can be quite the jerk but hes got some sweet moments too.

Jeremy: Lee Hong-Ki did a good job as Jeremy the bubbly playful fun loving best friend type of guy in the group. There is never a dull moment with Jeremy on screen. Unfortunately for Jeremy hes not the brightest. Jeremy is a relief during the heavier parts of the drama. Yes there is some kind of heavy parts. Though the drama is balanced out well with emotions.

Kang Shin-woo: Jung Yong-Hwa killed me playing Shin-woo. I fell head over heels for his character. Shin-woo is a very mature, wise, kind, sweet and caring character always supporting Go Mi-Nyu / Nam. The actor does a killer "you just kicked a puppy infront of me" face the feels from that is just too much for me. He has some pretty killer outfits in the show too. It came as a surprise to me that Jung Yong- Hwa wasn't just a good singer but also a good actor too.

You don't really need me to summarize the story again so I'll just give my thoughts instead.

Now you may think it would be a pretty teen centered fangirling drama as its a teenage nun in a all male pop band but You're beautiful has its own special charm. Its got a lot of jokes in it but has heartbreaking moments as well. The storyline stays on a straight path, it doesn't go to a giant mess like some dramas I've watched they stay true to their story.

I cried a few times with this show, I bawled like a baby at how romantic the last episode was. I ended up shouting at my screen a few times as well even though I know the characters can't hear me. I got so into it that the drama become lodged deep in the depths of my heart and I reacted out loud without realizing half the time.

I thought it'd just appeal to fangirls / boy crazy teens when I went to watch it. But I honestly don't think that way after watching it. Its a drama that sucks you in and you want to watch episode after episode.

Though there is a bit of fanservice for the girls (mmm shirtless shin woo) I mean what? I said nothing shh don't tell anyone I know.

I think if it was us in Mi-Nyu's shoes we'd have a hard time picking with how amazing all three guys personalities are. (even though Tae- Kyeong can be a jerk he can win a girls heart when hes not so cold.) Honestly I doubt Mi-Nyu could of picked if it was real life and not a show, because they are all wonderful. (I probably would be swayed to shin-woo though)

This show I think is perfect for lonely people or maybe just me but it lifted my spirits when I was down I think that has got to count for something right?

The music in this show is wonderful, the music always fits with the scenes perfectly. When it comes to the actors actually playing instruments it looks real. Well real enough to fool the average person I don't know if it'd fool someone who knows instruments well.

Anyway that ends my first IMDb review. Though I'm not good with reviewing stuff at least I tried?

This show has a high rating from me and will always be close to my heart.

(I put it as contains spoiler because I'm unsure if any of this is even a tiny spoiler)

Disappointing.

[reganmonique-23097 · 5/10 · 24 October 2019]

This title generally has good reviews which led me to watch it.

There was some good music in it and interesting characters. There were a few brilliant comedy scenes.

However I didn't find the story very interesting and it dragged on in the same vein for the duration of the series apparently. I gave up about episode 12 due to the character of the lead female. Sure a bit of pouting, sadness and a few tears here and there makes for good drama but this ... This girl was endlessly crying, apologising, pouting and sulking to the point it was truely disturbing to think anyone could find her attractive.

Addicted!

[gbhumi-98159 · 10/10 · 28 October 2018]

My first Korean series and i am not at all disappointed :) Binge watching from the moment i started it and already in love with Jang Keun-suk (the lead actor/singer) at 9th episode :)

AMAZING!

[Afi_vaqar · 10/10 · 14 October 2020]

The songs in this drama are literally one of my all time favorite Korean songs !! The cast was amazinggggggg!! The story was good.. everything about this was perfection

Personally speaking I did not enjoy the ending.. but everything Else was perfection !!

She really look like a boy

[madbird-61243 · 8/10 · 7 April 2019]

A uncommon plot with the setting of the music industry. A love story nurturs steadily and naturally as the story develops. The female lead is pretty enough. Though the male lead is to me too trendy.

A movie that is worthy seeing.

Oh no - not again

[geewhiz46 · 2/10 · 31 March 2024]

Ok - so this is an old series - maybe we have this one to blame for the endless girl as boy tropes that we are inundated with today.

Thanks for that A novice nun who endlessly repeats that fact - just happens to have a twin brother who is away in America (Where else?) and likely to miss the chance of signing with a hot Kpop boy band. Enter the nun - and what an entrance - overacted and overdone to a nonsensical degree. She is persuaded to sign with the band - but - hang on - the boss boy won't allow it until - guess what - she sings - ohhhhhh - cue for amazed and startled faces - she is wonderful.

Yawn.

There is one comment on how small she is - nothing about no facial hair - no Adam 's apple - no musculature - no sign of anything masculine at all - making you wonder at the the intelligence and observation skills of Korean men.

I was too irritated by the endless tropes to see this through to the end - life is too short.

Good enough

[PennyReviews · 5/10 · 20 August 2016]

One of the classics to watch when you are into K drama, You're beautiful is the story of a nun, who disguises into her twin brother and joins a popular boy group until her brother gets back from the USA. Needless to say, her fellow members fall for her. Though the romance is the main theme, the back stories are okay too and keep the interest high till the end. Plus the whole girl dresses up as a boy is very interesting and common theme for many dramas, as it makes it entertaining for the audience with the thrill of finding her out and all the goofiness that follows her tries to keep her identity hidden. The awkward moments were too many, especially in the beginning, with the lead actress making a total fool of her self in any way possible. The weakest points of this drama, however, was the music, as the same songs were being repeated over and over (the drama the entertainer did the same, though it contained more songs in its soundtrack). Plus, the whole illusion of Gemma's nun mother was simply unnecessary and a little childish. But all in all an okay drama, so 5 out of 10.