Beautiful Lies
Prologue
Scene: Middle school hallway, dimly lit.
Lockers slam, Girls laugh cruelly.
Hana, with thick glasses and acne, walks nervously clutching her books.
Girl 1
(Mocking) Yah, Kang Hana! Did you forget to wash your face again?
Girl 2
(snickering) No wonder the mirrors break when she passes by.
Hana lowers her head, biting her lip to hold back tears. She quickens her pace, but the laughter follows.
[In middle school, Hana’s life was a daily nightmare. No friends. No kind words. Just cruel taunts… every single day.]
Hana runs up the school rooftop stairs, tears streaming down.
Kang Hana
(whispers) If I disappear… maybe they’ll stop laughing.
She climbs the ledge. Her legs tremble. Just as she closes her eyes—
Voice
Yah! What are you doing?!
A boy’s hand grabs her wrist and pulls her down. She falls against him, sobbing.
Kang Hana
(Blurred vision, glasses fogged) …Who… are you?
The boy doesn’t answer. He just places her safely on the ground, his face hidden in the shadows.
Boy
(quietly) Don’t ever… throw yourself away because of them. They’re not worth it.
Hana blinks, trying to see. But tears blur her vision. The boy disappears down the stairs before she can recognize him.
[She never knew his name. She never saw his face clearly. But his words kept her alive.]
Hana, older now, applies makeup with trembling hands.
[Years later, Kang Hana would return as a different girl. With a new face. But the scars of the past… never left.]
Hana walks in confidently, uniform neat, hair flowing, makeup perfect. Students stare as whispers rise.
Student 1
Wow.... Who is she? She's gorgeous!
[This is where her new story begins.]
The female lead. Once bullied for her looks, now starting fresh at a new school with makeup and confidence. Insecure deep down.
Quiet, aloof top student. Cold on the outside, but hides a past connection with Hana.
Popular, athletic, warm and cheerful. Becomes Hana’s friend and possible love interest.
Bubbly, cheerful bestie. Loves gossip but has a good heart.
Serious, protective bestie. Knows Hana’s real past and supports her secret.
Stylish, wealthy, queen-bee type. Sees Hana as a competition.
Mirae’s sidekick, loves spreading rumors.
📝Note: This story draws inspiration from the K-drama True Beauty. For the readers’ convenience and familiarity, the original characters have been retained.
Episode 1
Students chatter. Desks slam as kids rush in. Mr. Han enters, clapping his hands.
Mr. Han
Quiet down, everyone.
Mr. Han
We have a transfer student today.
Hana steps inside. Her uniform is crisp, her hair neat, makeup subtle but beautiful. She bows politely.
Kang Hana
Annyeonghaseyo! My name is Kang Hana. Please take care of me.
The boys whisper excitedly.
Boy 1
Wah... She's so pretty.
The girls whisper too, some admiring, others suspicious. Mirae flips her hair, smirking.
Park Mirae
Another girl trying too hard. Let’s see how long she lasts.
Jung Hyejin
(snickers) She probably edits her selfies all day.
Changmin leans back in his chair, smiling.
Choi Changmin
(grinning) Welcome, Hana! Want me to give you a school tour later?
Minho sits near the window, reading, not looking up once.
[Some looked at her with awe. Some with envy. But one boy… didn’t look at all. And that stung more than the stares.]
Yuri approaches Hana with a bright smile, holding two drinks.
Bae Yuri
Here! Strawberry milk. You looked nervous, so I thought you might need it.
Kang Hana
(surprised) Oh… thank you!
Bae Yuri
I’m Bae Yuri. Let’s be friends, okay?
Hana smiles genuinely. For the first time, someone is warm without suspicion.
[Hana’s first friend in this new world… was someone full of sunshine.]
From the back, Mirae watches, annoyed.
Park Mirae
(muttering) Hmph. Let’s see if she’s still smiling in a month.
Hana sits with Yuri. The cafeteria is loud.
Changmin joins them, sliding his tray down.
Choi Changmin
(playful) Hope you don’t mind me crashing. New students always need a guide.
Bae Yuri
(teasing) Yah, Choi Changmin, don’t scare her off on her first day!
Kang Hana
(Laughs softly) It’s okay.
Choi Changmin
So, Hana, what do you like to eat? Don’t say salad, please.
Kang Hana
(smiling) I like ddeokbokki. Really spicy.
Choi Changmin
(Grins wide) Daebak! A girl after my own heart. You passed my test.
Yuri giggles. Hana blushes slightly yet awkward.
Mirae and Hyejin walk past, whispering loudly enough to hear.
Park Mirae
Tch. It’s always the pretty ones who act innocent.
Hana stiffens. Changmin notices, glaring at Mirae.
Choi Changmin
Mirae, don’t you have better things to do?
Mirae rolls her eyes, walking off.
Minho enters the cafeteria, passing Hana’s table. Their eyes meet briefly, but he looks away.
[His gaze was short. Cold. But it felt… strangely familiar.]
Hana walks out, checking her phone. Nayeon approaches, serious expression.
Seo Nayeon
You’re reckless.
Kang Hana
(startled) Nayeon! You scared me.
Seo Nayeon
(crosses arms) I told you to keep your head down. People are already whispering.
Kang Hana
(sighs, gripping her bag straps) I know. But this is my chance… I can’t go back to being that girl again.
(📝For clarification, Nayeon has always been Hana’s friend and has been aware of her past from the beginning.)
Seo Nayeon
Just remember. Masks… they crack if you wear them too long.
Across the street, Minho pauses mid-step, as if he overheard. His expression unreadable.
Hana removes her makeup in front of the mirror. Her bare face is plain, acne scars faint but visible. She stares quietly.
Her brother barges in her room.
Kang Haneul
(teasing) Noona! You look like two different people!
Kang Hana
(flustered) Yah, get out!
Mother calls from the kitchen.
Mother
Hana! Dinner’s ready!
Hana sighs, looking at her reflection again.
Kang Hana
(whispering) …As long as no one sees this side of me, I’ll be fine.
He’s at his desk, staring at an old photo of himself from middle school—on the rooftop, with a blurred figure of a crying girl in the background. His hand clenches slightly.
[He remembered her. The girl who almost disappeared. But she… didn’t remember him. Not yet.]
Hana arrives early. Minho’s seat is empty.
On her desk, she finds a sticky note.
Sticky Note: Don’t let their stares scare you. Just be you.
Hana looks around, confused.
No one seems to be watching.
Episode 2
Classroom chatter fills the room.
Students are arranging their books, gossiping about yesterday’s new transfer student.
Bae Yuri
(whispering, excited) Did you hear? The new girl, Hana, is super pretty!
Student 1
Yeah, I saw her hair… so shiny. She doesn’t look like a transfer at all.
Park Mirae
(rolling eyes, flipping her hair) Pretty? Please.
Park Mirae
Probably just another face that’ll fade in two weeks.
Hana quietly enters the room, scanning for her seat.
She notices Minho staring out the window as always, aloof, while Changmin laughs with a group of guys.
Kang Hana
(Thinking) Okay… calm down. It’s just school. Blend in, Hana. Blend in.
Bae Yuri
(Waving) Hana! Over here, sit with me!
Nayeon, seated in front of them, glances back, her sharp eyes scanning Hana carefully.
She doesn’t smile but gives a polite nod.
Kang Hana
Oh… hi. Um, thank you for yesterday.
Bae Yuri
Don’t mention it! Friends help friends! Right, Nayeon?
Seo Nayeon
(Serious) Friends… sure.
Seo Nayeon
Just be careful who you call one.
Hana looks slightly puzzled, but Yuri laughs and brushes it off.
The cafeteria is crowded, students rushing for food.
Hana, Yuri, and Nayeon are in line together.
Mirae and her clique enter dramatically, loud laughter drawing attention.
Park Mirae
(Smirks) Well, well. The new princess has arrived.
Park Mirae
Enjoying your royal welcome, Hana?
Bae Yuri
(Frowning) Mirae, can you not?
Park Mirae
(Ignoring Yuri, to Hana) Careful… boys here have short attention spans. Don’t get too comfortable.
Before Hana can respond, a basketball bounces near the group.
Changmin rushes in to grab it, flashing a grin.
Choi Changmin
Oops! Sorry about that.
Choi Changmin
Didn’t hit you, did it?
Kang Hana
(Shaking head) N-no, I’m fine.
Choi Changmin
(Teasing) You sure? Looked like you almost fainted.
Yuri giggles, while Hana blushes. Mirae’s smile falters.
Park Mirae
Tch. Boys and their toys.
They get their trays and sit.
Hana nervously tries to balance her tray but nearly trips—Minho, passing by silently, steadies it.
Lee Minho
(Quietly, without looking at her) Careful.
He walks away, sitting alone at the far end.
Hana watches him, confused at his coldness yet oddly comforted by his presence.
Bae Yuri
(Leaning in, whispering) Minho… don’t mind him. He’s always like that. Cold as ice.
Seo Nayeon
Not cold. Just… guarded.
The girls sit outside on a bench. Groups of students whisper nearby, some glancing at Hana.
Bae Yuri
Ugh, ignore them! They’re just curious. You’re the “mystery transfer student.”
Kang Hana
I… I’m not used to this kind of attention.
Seo Nayeon
Then don’t draw too much.
Seo Nayeon
Stay careful. People here aren’t as nice as they seem.
Suddenly, a group of boys pass by, joking loudly.
Boy 1
Hey, Changmin! Is that your new girlfriend?
Boy 2
Wah, she’s cute! Lucky guy!
Hana freezes, slightly embarrassed.
Changmin, hearing them, walks over with a grin.
Choi Changmin
Wow, already rumors? We just met.
Choi Changmin
Unless… you’re secretly in love with me?
Kang Hana
(Flustered, waving hands) Wh-what? No! That’s not—!
Bae Yuri
(laughing) Hana, your face is so red!
Seo Nayeon
(Crossing arms) Idiots.
Across the courtyard, Mirae watches with narrowed eyes.
Jung Hyejin
She’s stealing your spotlight already.
Park Mirae
(Smirking coldly) Let her shine… for now. Everyone burns out eventually.
Hana sits at her desk, writing in her journal.
A soft breeze flows through the window.
Kang Hana
💭Today… I laughed more than I expected.
Kang Hana
💭Yuri is like a bright sunflower, always smiling.
Kang Hana
💭Nayeon… she’s hard to read, but maybe she cares more than she shows.
Kang Hana
💭Changmin… he’s so confident, so easy to talk to.
Kang Hana
💭And Minho… why does his voice sound… familiar?
She closes the diary, staring at the ceiling, her heart conflicted between comfort and fear.
Mirae receives an envelope with old photos—Hana’s barefaced middle school pictures.
Park Mirae
Let’s see how long this “princess” act lasts.
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