[DISCLAIMER: SOME SPOILERS AHEAD!]
A good Korean makeover drama can be irresistible. These makeovers follow a similar formula–going from unkempt, frizzy hair to styled hair, throwing away glasses for contact lenses, and wearing fashionable clothes.
But the best (and recent) ones explore deeper than superficial appearances. They go from trying to get back at someone who despised them, to learning moving life lessons on how to love themselves and how they deserve to be loved just like anyone else. Take “Perfume” as an example, the female lead embarked on a quest to realize her self-worth and embrace her original appearance.
Then again, we have makeovers that land on the other end of the spectrum–dramatic makeovers that would convince almost anyone that it’s only possible in Korean dramas.
Here are some makeovers, starting from the least dramatic to the most!
5. The Secret Life of My Secretary
What has she done: Better makeup, straightened her hair, removed her glasses and wearing more fashionable clothes.
Result: She manages to fool her boss who has face blindness and convince him that she is another person.
Jung Gal-Hee (Jin Ki-Joo) has worked for Do Min-Ik (Kim Young-Kwang) as his secretary for nearly a year but was fired without a valid reason. An opportunity arises, and she became curious about how Do Min-Ik would treat another woman that isn’t his secretary. She took hold of that opportunity, her relationship with Do Min-Ik that’s built up with lies formed.
A short trip to the mall and hair salon would be enough for a simple makeover like that. Well, this makes the least dramatic one out of the list.
4. Dream High
What has she done: Removed her glasses, straightened her hair, and worked out to lose 30 kg in 200 days.
Result: Successfully attracts the attention of the person she has a crush on.
Kim Pil-Suk (IU) is a high school student who fell head over heels for a boy who treats her really well and thought that he liked her too. But the boy rejected her confession. She asked him to give her 200 days, and she will be back after losing 30 kg.
Pil-Suk lost 30 kg with sheer determination. This surely takes more effort than a mere trip to the mall!
3. Birth of the Beauty
What has she done: Underwent full-body plastic surgery, hair implants and… collagen implants for her vocal cords.
Result: She transforms into a gorgeous woman that turns heads wherever she walks.
Sa Geum-Ran (Han Ye-Seul) sacrificed her life for her husband and his family. None of them appreciated it in the least bit. Her husband even cheated on her. With Han Tae-Hee (Joo Sang-Wook)’s help, she transformed into a beautiful lady and attempts to take revenge on her husband.
Sa Geum-Ran transformed into a completely different person that no one could recognize in a matter of months. The changes are so drastic that it made her husband desire her without realizing who she was.
2. Angry Mom
What has she done: Straightened her hair and… wearing a high school uniform.
Result: She was able to convince schoolmates and teachers that she’s 19.
Jo Gang-Ja (Kim Hee-Sun)’s daughter, Oh A-Ran (Kim You-Jung) is a high school student that is a victim of school bullying. To protect her daughter, Gang-Ja goes back to attending high school.
With some styling done on her hair, Kim Hee-Sun managed to look younger than she actually is. She nailed her character as a concerned mother and a student who fears nothing with her amazing acting skills. But… it’s also a fact that not anyone can look like a 19-year-old student just by relying on a better-looking hairstyle.
1. The Last Empress
What has he done: Worked out by climbing mountains and cut his hair.
Result: He has grown taller, slimmer, and… To put it simply, he transformed into Choi Jin-Hyuk.
The betrayal of his girlfriend and the death of his mother led Na Wang-Sik (Tae Hang-Ho) to go through the transformation.
Without any form of plastic or cosmetic surgery, this one definitely takes the cake for having the most dramatic makeover. But again, its exaggerated plot and ridiculousness are what kept people watching!
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Have you watched any of the dramas above? What is your favorite Korean makeover drama?
