How I Came Across This One?
Have you ever watched the first few episodes of a K-drama, enjoyed it, then somehow just… forgot it existed? That was me with “To the Beautiful You“. I remember stumbling across it years ago—watched maybe two or three episodes—and then life happened. It quietly got lost among the sea of dramas I started, but never found the time to finish.
Fast forward to now: I’m casually scrolling through YouTube, not expecting much, when a random short flashes across my screen. A familiar scene. A familiar face. Suddenly, I’m hit with a wave of nostalgia—wait, is that “To the Beautiful You”? And just like that, it drew me back in.
If you’ve ever abandoned a drama only to have it find you again, you’ll relate. Let’s talk about why this charming little series still holds up, why it’s worth revisiting, and how it somehow manages to sneak back into our lives when we least expect it.
A No Spoiler Peak At The Plot
“To the Beautiful You” follows Goo Jae-hee (Suli), a girl who disguises herself as a boy to attend an all-boys sports school. Her goal is to meet Kang Tae-joon (Minho), a high-jumper she admires after reading a quote he made about pushing through obstacles, even when life feels impossible. Jae-hee was inspired by his words, especially since Tae-joon had considered quitting high jumping due to his struggles with Ipswich syndrome, a condition that made him doubt his future in the sport. She hopes that by being close to him, she can encourage him to push through and return to the sport he loves.
Jae-hee becomes Tae-joon’s roommate, and as they spend more time together, their bond grows. Meanwhile, jae-hee’s friend, Cha Eun-gyul (Lee Hyun-Woo), unknowingly develops feelings for Jae-hee, creating a love triangle and adding emotional tension to the story (P.S. He starts thinking he is gay and this make some of his scenes hilarious).
Main Cast
- Sulli as Goo Jae-hee
- Choi Min-ho as Kang Tae-joon
- Lee Hyun-Woo as Cha Eun-gyul,
The Smile That Made Me Fall for Choi Min-ho
There’s just something about Choi Min-ho’s smile that gets you every time. It’s got this killer charm, like he knows exactly how to knock the wind out of you in the best way possible. But then, out of nowhere, he hits you with that soft, adorable smile that feels so warm and genuine, you can’t help but grin back. Whether he’s on screen playing a cool character or just goofing around in interviews, that smile is always doing something. It’s the kind of smile that sticks with you — the kind you don’t mind seeing over and over again.
My Favorite Scenes
- The Accidental Underwear Incident – Episode 1 : In this scene, Gu Jae Hee is climbing the stairs with a suitcase in her hand, hitting it against each step as she goes. The repeated impact causes the suitcase to burst open, scattering her clothes across the stairs. At that moment, Tae Joon happens to pass by and notices the mess. Among the clothes, one particular item catches his eye—her floral-patterned panties. He picks them up and dryly comments, “His style is peculiar,” clearly under the impression that Jae Hee, who’s pretending to be a boy, owns them. In a panic to cover up, she quickly claims it’s just a handkerchief. While trying to recover from the situation, her suitcase suddenly slips, and she falls into it. The suitcase, with Jae Hee inside, slides all the way down the stairs as she screams at the top of her lungs. It finally comes to a stop when it crashes into a tree at the bottom.
- When Eun Gyul Moves In – Episode 7 : Now this scene starts with Eun Gyul moving into Tae Joon and Jae Hee’s dorm room due to construction in his part of the building. Since Eun Gyul and Jae Hee are already close friends, they begin spending more time together, which does not sit well with Tae Joon. Jealousy starts to creep in as he watches their easy bond. He even tries to eavesdrop but fails in the attempt. The tension between the two boys leads to a quiet but funny moment, a brushing competition, where both of them try to outdo each other in front of the mirror.
The Stunning Resemblance of Jungkook and Lee Hyun Woo
Have you ever noticed how much Jungkook and Lee Hyun Woo look alike? Their resemblance is striking, from their sharp features to their similar expressions and mannerisms. Jungkook’s old photos, especially from his earlier days, bear an uncanny resemblance to Hyun Woo, making it even more obvious.
Where to Watch It?
Watch it for free on : https://archive.org/details/ttby_20201214 (With subtitles in English)
Trailer : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n
How I Rate This Drama
I’d give “To the Beautiful You“ an 8/10. It’s the kind of show you can sit back and enjoy without overthinking it. It Easy to binge, and is one of those dramas that stays with you even after you’re done watching.
P.S. The heads of the three dormitories were definitely one of my favorite parts of To the Beautiful You! They acted so childish and silly, it was impossible not to laugh at their scenes. It’s amazing how they could be so ridiculous yet still be the leaders!
Catch you next time — happy watching!
Agam