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She Was Pretty

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She Was Pretty
Promotional poster
Also known as
  • She Was Beautiful
  • Puzzled Lovers
  • Pretty Woman
Genre
Written byJo Sung-hee
Directed byJung Dae-yoon
Starring
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes16
Production
Executive producerHan Hee (MBC)
ProducersMoon Suk-hwan
Oh Kwang-hee
Running time70 minutes
Production companyBon Factory Worldwide
Original release
NetworkMBC TV
ReleaseSeptember 16 (2015-09-16) –
November 11, 2015 (2015-11-11)
Related
Pretty Li Huizhen
Kanojo wa Kirei da

She Was Pretty (Korean그녀는 예뻤다; RRGeunyeoneun Yeppeotta) is a 2015 South Korean television series starring Hwang Jung-eum, Park Seo-joon, Go Joon-hee and Choi Si-won.[1][2][3] It aired on MBC from September 16 to November 11, 2015, on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 22:00 (KST).[4][5]

The series was both a hit domestically, with a peak rating of 18.4% and internationally, especially in China.[6][7][8][9][10]

Synopsis

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A romantic comedy, based on a true story, about two past acquaintances who meet again after they've gone through a reversal of fortunes and appearances, set against the backdrop of a fashion magazine's publishing office.

Kim Hye-jin (Hwang Jung-eum) was a beautiful girl from a rich family as a child. After her family's publishing company went bankrupt, she experienced hardships and grew into freckles and curly hair, losing the perfect features she has when she was young. Ji Sung-joon (Park Seo-joon) was an unattractive boy with low self-esteem, but grows up to be a handsome and successful editor.

The two meet again as adults, but Sung-joon didn't recognize Hye-jin. Ashamed to meet her first love and ruin his perception of her, Hye-jin asks her attractive best friend, Ha-ri (Go Joon-hee), to appear in her place. Things, however, soon get complicated as Hye-jin was assigned to work at The Most magazine publishing office where Sung-joon is the deputy chief editor. He openly mistreats and belittles her for her clumsy nature, not knowing that she was his real childhood friend. Ha-ri also continues to meet Sung-joon, and soon develops feelings for him. On the other hand, Hye-jin finds a good friend in her workplace, Shin-hyuk (Choi Si-won), who falls in love with her.

As Sung-joon gets to know Hye-jin better, he realizes there is more to the clumsy freckle-faced girl than he initially thought and it strikes him how much she reminds him of his childhood friend.

Cast

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Main

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An intern in the administration section before being appointed as junior editor. She used to be a beautiful, wealthy, and smart girl, but lost everything. Embarrassed at her failures in life, she asked her best friend Ha-ri, to meet with her first love Sung-joon, using her name. She thought that would be the end of her fate with Sung-joon, but turns out it's only the beginning of her nightmare, as he then becomes her boss. Despite the misfortunes, she still strives to do her best.
The youngest deputy chief editor in Korea. Stubborn and arrogant but also brilliant in his work. Unlike Hye-jin, he was unattractive and shy but grows up to become handsome and successful. Immediately after returning to Korea, he contacted his first love, Hye-jin. He ends up falling for her even when he didn't recognize that she was his childhood friend and first love.
A hotelier. She is Hye-jin's best friend and roommate. A beautiful and stylish woman with good personality. While continuing to pretend to be Hye-jin, she ends up falling for Sung-joon. Fearing that her relationship with her best friend might be compromised, she tries several times to tell him the truth only to fail in the end and having Sung-joon find out first.
A senior Feature editor. He is generally a free-spirited, fair, and straightforward man but with mysterious identity (later found out to be the Korean writer, Ten). He is Hye-jin's direct supervisor at work, and they developed a close relationship. He ends up falling for her even before her beauty transformation. He finds out about her relationship with Sung-joon one day when she was drunk.

Supporting

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Hye-jin's family

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  • Park Choong-sun as Kim Jong-seob, Hye-jin's father who is currently running a small printing house.
  • Lee Il-hwa as Han Jung-hye, Hye-jin's mother who also treats Ha-ri like her own daughter too.
  • Jung Da-bin as Kim Hye-rin, Hye-jin's younger sister who often prefers Ha-ri as her own sister instead of Hye-jin.

Ha-ri's family

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People in The Most

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The chief editor who is very fashionable and later found out that she is the chairman's younger sister. She speaks English, Korean, Italian, French and Spanish.
Head of the Editing team and director of the Fashion team who is so dedicated to her work. She speaks on behalf of Hye-jin during her initial days and later becomes the deputy chief editor.
A lazy and untidy Feature director who orders his junior coworkers around. It is revealed later that he is the Jinsung Magazine CEO's son and eventually becomes the Vice President.
An assistant of the Beauty team who finds out about the fact that the chairman's son is one of her co-workers and sets out to become his love interest. She then dates Joon-woo and eventually falls for his friendly charms.
A cute and kind assistant of the Fashion team who had feelings for Han Seol from the day when she mistakes him as the chairman's son and reciprocates his feelings. He always respects his co-workers and it is later revealed that his parent is the owner of a laundry place.
  • Kang Soo-jin as Joo Ah-reum
The editor of the Beauty team who is getting married.

People in Jinsung Magazine

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  • Kim Ha-kyoon as Boo Joong-man
Head of the Management team who encourages Hye-jin when she gets transfer to the editing team.
  • Jo Chang-geun as Kwang-hee, an employee of the Management team.
  • Jin Hye-won as Lee Seul-bi, an employee of the Management team.

Special appearances

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  • Im Kang-sung as Ha-ri's date
  • Kim Sung-oh as the man at pub (ep. 3)
  • Hwang Seok-jeong as the ajumma in the restaurant on (ep. 7)
  • Kim Je-dong as The Most 20th Anniversary's party MC (ep. 9)
  • Lee Joon-gi as the guest for The Most 20th Anniversary (ep. 9)
  • Seo In-guk as the guest for The Most 20th Anniversary (ep. 9)
  • Uee as the guest for The Most 20th Anniversary (ep. 9)
  • Park Hyung-sik as the guest for The Most 20th Anniversary (ep. 9)
  • Lee Sang-hoon as interviewee for Editor Kim (ep. 11)
  • Kim Bo-min as Ji Yeon-woo, Sung-joon and Hye-jin's daughter (ep. 16)

Production

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The first script reading was held on August 10, 2015.[20]

The drama reunited Hwang Jung-eum with Park Seo-joon, who previously starred together in Kill Me, Heal Me;[21] and Hwang Jung-eum with Go Joon-hee, who previously starred together in Can You Hear My Heart.[22]

Original soundtrack

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She was Pretty OST
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
Recorded2015
GenreSoundtrack
Language
LabelLoen Entertainment
Bon Factory

Part 1

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Released on November 23, 2015 (2015-11-23)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Thumping" (쿵쿵쿵)Kim Min-seung3:25
2."Thumping" (Inst.) 3:25
Total length:6:50

Part 2

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Released on September 24, 2015 (2015-09-24)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Sometimes" (가끔)Zia3:56
2."Sometimes" (Inst.) 3:56
Total length:7:32

Part 3

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Released on September 30, 2015 (2015-09-30)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."One More Step" (한 걸음 더)Yoo Ki-hyun(Monsta X)3:25
2."One More Step" (Inst.) 3:25
Total length:6:50

Part 4

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Released on October 14, 2015 (2015-10-14)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."You don't know me" (모르나봐)So-yu (Sistar) & Brother Su4:18
2."You don't know me" (Inst.) 4:18
Total length:4:36

Part 5

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Released on October 22, 2015 (2015-10-22)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."You're the only one" (너뿐이야)Choi Si-won4:12
2."You're the only one" (Inst.) 4:12
Total length:8:24

Part 6

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Released on November 6, 2015 (2015-11-06)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Long Way" (먼 길)Park Seo-joon3:41
2."Long Way" (Inst.) 3:41
Total length:7:42
Disc 2:
No.TitleArtistLength
1."She was Pretty (Opening Theme)"Various Artists2:44
2."A Reporter"Various Artists1:33
3."A Heart that cannot be"Various Artists2:28
4."Come on"Various Artists2:17
5."Find hidden puzzles"Various Artists3:51
6."Found my Umbrella"Various Artists2:59
7."Her Identity"Various Artists1:57
8."Hole Socky"Various Artists3:41
9."I missed you"Various Artists3:46
10."It's not normal"Various Artists2:32
11."It tends to embarrass"Various Artists2:04
12."Let's Start"Various Artists1:28
13."My Lost Request"Various Artists2:33
14."Memories of first love"Various Artists2:47
15."My favourite person now"Various Artists2:51
16."My Sister"Various Artists2:14
17."Onion's Love"Various Artists3:05
18."Our Story"Various Artists2:20
19."Restlessness"Various Artists1:46
20."The Most"Various Artists1:49
21."Unknown feelings"Various Artists2:45
22."UnPoco UnPoco"Various Artists1:44
23."Violet Memory"Various Artists1:45
24."Wakeup"Various Artists1:59
25."Who,is it you?"Various Artists2:13
26."You cannot get it"Various Artists2:03
27."You can cry"Various Artists3:12

Ratings

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Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
TNmS[23] Nielsen Korea[24] Highest Internet Ratings
Nationwide Seoul Nationwide Seoul
1 September 16, 2015 4.9% (NR) 5.8% (NR) 4.8% (NR) 5.0% (NR) 14.7% (2nd)
2 September 17, 2015 7.1% (NR) 8.1% (15th) 7.2% (NR) 7.8% (17th) 22.3% (2nd)
3 September 23, 2015 8.0% (18th) 9.1% (11th) 8.5% (14th) 9.4% (11th) 29.7% (2nd)
4 September 24, 2015 7.8% (19th) 8.8% (15th) 9.9% (11th) 9.9% (11th) 31.4% (2nd)
5 September 30, 2015[25] 9.0% (16th) 10.8% (8th) 10.7% (8th) 11.9% (8th) 40.0% (1st)
6 October 1, 2015 8.4% (19th) 10.4% (10th) 10.2% (17th) 11.3% (9th) 39.0% (1st)
7 October 7, 2015 11.8% (8th) 13.7% (5th) 13.1% (6th) 14.2% (3rd) 46.9% (1st)
8 October 8, 2015 13.2% (6th) 15.4% (2nd) 14.5% (3rd) 16.3% (3rd) 49.7% (1st)
9 October 15, 2015[26] 16.2% (2nd) 19.1% (2nd) 16.7% (3rd) 17.9% (2nd) 59.4% (1st)
10 October 21, 2015[27] 15.3% (4th) 17.4% (2nd) 17.3% (2nd) 19.7% (2nd) 59.6% (1st)
11 October 22, 2015 17.2% (2nd) 19.7% (2nd) 17.7% (2nd) 19.2% (2nd) 59.8% (1st)
12 October 28, 2015 15.5% (4th) 17.8% (2nd) 16.5% (3rd) 17.9% (2nd) 58.6% (1st)
13 October 29, 2015 15.0% (4th) 17.5% (2nd) 18.0% (2nd) 19.8% (2nd) 56.0% (1st)
14 November 4, 2015 15.3% (3rd) 17.4% (1st) 15.9% (3rd) 17.8% (2nd) 58.0% (1st)
15 November 5, 2015 15.0% (3rd) 17.8% (2nd) 16.9% (2nd) 18.7% (2nd) 52.8% (1st)
16 November 11, 2015 15.0% (2nd) 17.7% (1st) 15.9% (3rd) 17.7% (2nd) [28]
Average 12.2% 14.2% 13.4% 14.7%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • NR denotes that the drama did not rank in the top 20 daily programs on that date.

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Recipient Result
2015 4th APAN Star Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Park Seo-joon Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Hwang Seok-jeong Nominated
Grimae Awards Excellence in Drama Award Lee Jin-seok, Roh Hyeong-sik Won
Best Lighting Director Award Kim Yong-sam Won
MBC Drama Awards Grand Prize (Daesang) Hwang Jung-eum Nominated
Drama of the Year She Was Pretty Nominated
PD Choice Award Hwang Jung-eum Won
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Won
Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Park Seo-joon Won
Choi Siwon Nominated
Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Go Joon-hee Nominated
Top 10 Stars Hwang Jung-eum Won
Park Seo-joon Won
Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries Ahn Se-ha Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries Hwang Seok-jeong Won
Shin Dong-mi Nominated
Best New Actor in a Miniseries Park Yu-hwan Nominated
Best New Actress in a Miniseries Shin Hye-sun Nominated
Best Young Actor Yang Han-yeol Won
Popularity Award, Actor Park Seo-joon Won
Popularity Award, Actress Hwang Jung-eum Won
Writer of the Year Jo Sung-hee Won
2016 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards Best Drama She Was Pretty Nominated
Best Director Jung Dae-yoon Nominated
Best Actress Hwang Jung-eum Nominated
43rd Korea Broadcasting Awards Best Drama She Was Pretty Won
Best Actress Hwang Jung-eum Won

Remake

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References

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  1. ^ "Hwang Jung-eum, Park Seo-joon to star in She Was Pretty". The Korea Times. July 30, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  2. ^ "Hwang Jung Eum, Park Seo Joon, Choi Siwon, and Go Joon Hee Confirmed for New Drama!". Soompi. July 30, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  3. ^ Lee, Yousun (October 5, 2015). "She Was Pretty reveals behind cuts of Hwang Jung-eum and Park Seo-joon". Asia Today. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  4. ^ Lee, Ji-young (August 26, 2015). "She Was Pretty Releases First Teaser of Hwang Jung Eum and Park Seo Joon". enewsWorld. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  5. ^ Doo, Rumy (September 14, 2015). "She Was Pretty boasts 'perfect casting,' says director". K-Pop Herald. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  6. ^ "Viewers find 'She Was Pretty' attractive". The Korea Times. October 2015.
  7. ^ "She Was Pretty gains popularity in China". The Korea Times. September 21, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  8. ^ "She Was Pretty Stars Relish Success as Show Ends". The Chosun Ilbo. November 13, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  9. ^ "Hwang Jeong-eum's star soars in China". The Korea Times. October 13, 2015.
  10. ^ "Choi Si-won' star soars on Twitter". The Korea Times. October 27, 2015.
  11. ^ "Hwang confirmed for new MBC drama". Korea JoongAng Daily. July 31, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  12. ^ "Rambunctious Hwang Jung Eum Steals Spotlight in New She Was Pretty Poster". Soompi. September 11, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  13. ^ "Hwang Jung-eum Wows Audiences in Dowdy Role". The Chosun Ilbo. October 24, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  14. ^ Lee, Ji Young (November 12, 2015). "Hwang Jung Eum Shares Final Thoughts on She Was Pretty". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on December 19, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  15. ^ Park, Sojung (November 12, 2015). "Actress Hwang Jeong-eum solidifies reign with Pretty Woman". Yonhap. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  16. ^ "Super Junior star to lead new drama". Korea JoongAng Daily. July 27, 2015.
  17. ^ "Singer leaves the idol image behind in latest TV role". Korea JoongAng Daily. November 16, 2015.
  18. ^ "Choi Si-won shines in 'She was Pretty'". Kpop Herald.
  19. ^ Ahn, Woorim (July 30, 2015). "Park Yuhwan To Appear In She Was Pretty". BNTNews. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  20. ^ "Hwang Jung Eum, Choi Siwon, Park Seo Joon, and Go Joon Hee Participate in First Script Reading for New Drama". Soompi. August 10, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  21. ^ Ahn, Woorim (December 5, 2014). "Leading Roles Of Drama Kill Me, Heal Me Are Confirmed". BNTNews. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  22. ^ "Did you know that Ko Joon Hee and Hwang Jung Eum are best friends?". Korea.com. January 18, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2015.[permanent dead link]
  23. ^ "TNMS Daily Ratings". TNMS Ratings (in Korean). Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  24. ^ "Nielsen Korea". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 17, 2017. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  25. ^ Jeon, Su-mi (October 1, 2015). "She Was Pretty Surpasses 10 Percent in Viewer Ratings with Episode 5". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  26. ^ "Angry drama fans complain as She Was Pretty skips Wednesday this week". Hancinema. October 14, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
  27. ^ Kwon, Ji-youn (October 21, 2015). "It's K-drama over playoff baseball in South Korea". The Korea Times. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  28. ^ TVING is permanently not to release the internet ratings of the programs from three main TV channels of South Korea since November 10, 2015.
  29. ^ "'She Was Pretty' remade in China". Kpop Herald.
  30. ^ "Remake boom of K-dramas is a testament to their brilliant storytelling". The Korea Times. June 3, 2021.
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