#teamsuho

[jvgyeong]

she wasn’t DRUNK btw

[maariarogers]

Thoughts on True Beauty and Why I’m On Team Suho

Ever since the tv show started, I’ve begin thinking and noticing for a while now that, more than anything, I’m more #TeamSuho than I am #TeamSeojun.

And the thought of “why do I think like that?” kept repeating in my head, because, if I’m honest, the casualness that Seojun and Jugyeong shared early in the series (I’m talking webtoon and, truth be told, a bit of the tv series) really struck me as them having a much easier and playful, therefore fun, relationship. Which makes for an interesting dynamic than what Jugyeong had with Suho.

So, here are my thoughts why I think I prefer Suho with Jugyeong towards the end.

To warn, this is, firstly, have nothing against any of the characters or the ships! I’m merely sharing an in-depth analysis of my thoughts on my own view why I prefer Suho with Jugyeong. Secondly, I’ll be referencing a lot of the webtoon rather than the tv series (although I feel like I’d like to spill my thoughts on that soon, so I don’t know if that long analysis of “why I surprisingly find myself enjoy the adaptation more than I thought I would” is coming soon, buuuut yeah, we’ll see) so, please be aware of spoilers.

As reference, I’m currently at Chapter 124 of the English-translated version of True Beauty as I’m writing this, but I am aware of spoilers ahead of the chapters.

Another Warning: This is so long. Oh my god. How did I manage to write it this long? So. There’s that.

Okay. So. What brought this on?

Honestly, it was just the excitement from knowing that True Beauty was airing soon and I was just so interested to see the dynamics the actors were going to play out rather than just seeing the characters across the a page screen in comic strips as I’ve been following them since I stumbled into the webtoon about, yikes, a year ago?

But – more than anything, I just really wanted to see how Suho played out.

1. So, What’s The Deal With Suho?

If I’m honest, I’ve always thought that Suho is laughably (yikes) boring. Not necessarily in a bad way, no! I actually think it’s one of the things that’s made him quite appealing — in ways that, in other settings, I would have actually found him uninteresting and easily passable as a main lead. But not in this particular world.

To add: the Author also referenced this many, many times throughout the webtoon. Quite brilliantly, in fact — specifically, from Sua’s point of view, as she points out quite a few times that, besides from Suho’s looks, “he’s really got nothing going on for him” or that “he’s boring”. (I frickin’ love Sua in both the webtoon and tv show!)

This was also a really important plot device during the Prince of Princes (Did I get this name right? Omg) competition TV show when the influencer (again, I really can’t be bothered with what’s-his-name) actually called Suho out for basically “not trying his best” when everybody else was clearly giving his all. This triggered Suho to actually act outside of his comfort zone and actually wanted to pose for a sexy photoshoot.

I do also honestly think he’s clinically depressed on top of just having had naturally adapted a much calmer composure to compare with an easily expressive Jugyeong and a very charismatic Seojun. But the thing is, the author really made Suho “boring” on purpose — and the best thing is? It works.

Because as much as Suho is “expressionless” — as in, he doesn’t really emote whatever his feelings as honest or as obvious as the other two leads — he can still carry his character well. Like Jugyeong has learned over time, we start to figure out that, oh, Suho has to put his act together because his father’s famous and he doesn’t want to tarnish that reputation. He’s ruthless to admirers because he’s logical about rejecting unwanted advances. He’s surprisingly rigid and slightly cold, but only because he’s used to only have himself as company.

In all honesty, I’m still trying to wrap my head around Suho. I still don’t quite understand why I’m so fascinated by his personality when, if those sort of “dark brooding” tropes were played in other medias, I would have rolled my eyes and rejected it instantly for how much it’s overplayed.

But I didn’t. Not with Suho. 

Perhaps, an angst-lover at heart, his unrequited relationship with Jugyeong really struck with me. His patience when he’s obviously hurting as Jugyeong dismissed their almost-romance, or when Seojun and her were being lovey-dovey in front of him was really incredible. Suho rarely lost his composure, which was quite a feat considering as readers we know he still has lingering feelings towards Jugyeong, and I felt like that spoke volume about his character.

(Besides that, Suho was always so incredibly respectful — not only towards Jugyeong but also towards Seojun. Seojun obviously learned it much later on, but Suho never once carried any ill-intention when he learned Seojun and Jugyeong were together. In fact, again and again, he congratulated and cheered them on, even when we knew later that he feels awful for the lost chances. Still, Suho never acted violently or aggressively. Not once. It was only Seojun who had easily misunderstood him and thus, reacted badly.)

(Although again, that’s so brilliant on the author — because Seojun’s quick-temper is such a staple and big part of what made Seojun Seojun. I’m happy that he acted that way, because that meant his characteristics are consistent from when we first saw him in the webtoon. Of course, that doesn’t mean the temper in and of itself is always good, but — it’s realistic for him.)

2. So, Why Jugyeong and Suho?

Now, this is the part where it gets tricky.

A lot of the fans — some of which are my own friends, and people I knew — abandoned the webtoon because the drama has gotten “tacky” or Jugyeong’s growth has been “stunted” for a few chapters. I can’t say I totally disagree, because I do see there’s quite a lag in the plot, buuuuuuut.... I do feel like the author adds that in on purpose.

Of course! I might be wrong! But hear me out.

I think it’s on purpose because it wants to show the development of Seojun and Jugyeong’s relationship – and why it didn’t work. (Again, anything can happen; I’m only at Ch124, so things might still change for Team Seojun!) Of course, for all those who are aware of the spoilers, the answer was simple: they didn’t work because the agency asked Jugyeong to stop dating Seojun due to his rising status as an idol.

It’s more than that, though.

I’ve also been reading a few comments and some of them pointed out how they thought that Jugyeong has always seemed more relaxed and more playful when she’s with Suho than she is when she’s with Seojun. But... I do have to slightly disagree. Only slightly. Because, if we review the arc during their high school when Jugyeong liked Suho, she was obviously more comfortable and were able to tease and be more playful with Seojun — but she was a little guarded with Suho, which was understandable. She didn’t want to look bad in front of her crush.

I’ve always felt a little threatened at this point because, man, Seojun and Jugyeong’s chemistry was so, so good during this arc. I love Seojun, I really do. He is such a nice and considerate man in ways that I really didn’t think he could be when we saw him as a teenager — but the author really pulled him off well. And he’s so sweet, too? So loyal? Ugh.

The downside is, though — he doesn’t push Jugyeong.

More than that, their relationship (perhaps because they were each other’s first true, committed relationship) really caused each other massive anxiety. Jugyeong wasn’t really honest all the time due to this — not her feelings and not her concerns, and Seojun became an unnecessarily worry-wart even when he shouldn’t be. This had, several times, led him to become inconsiderably possessive i.e. during the time he fought with Suho when Suho had only wanted to help.

Of course, they sort the issue out in the end and Seojun started to reform himself to be an even better partner. But... you can tell, in a lowkey sort of way, that the good-feeling they had when they were just friends, it isn’t really there anymore. They don’t really have fun together. (Although maybe that’s just because Seojun became busy and/or the author skip most of their dates along, so — I might be biased a bit regarding this!)

But with Suho, even as friends, Suho has always pushed Jugyeong — more than just about her bare face, he pushed her to pursue what she wants to do. Not only that, he encouraged it; he helped her.

Which is why I think the plot became slightly stagnant in the moment: because, like Jugyeong, we’re focusing too much on her relationship with Seojun and what would it mean when Seojun became an idol. We’re carried along with her anxiety, with their upside down, with Jugyeong’s worries. We’re stuck in Jugyeong’s first relationship — and that’s it.

But with Suho, the plot moves: Suho pushes Jugyeong to study, Suho talks to her about her ambitions, Suho makes her confronts her fears, and one of the best parts of the series so far — when Suho was consulting her after Selena scolded Jugyeong for messing up on set — Suho recognised what she wants to do, what she likes to do, and he encourages her for it. He comforts her, and tells her to not give up. So now, we see her wanting to try her best in wanting to help Selena.

With Suho, I feel as if... Jugyeong’s focus grows more than just her being upset about one single relationship. Suho’s calamity and logic straightforwardness probably helps — it doesn’t cause as much anxiety as Suho’s relatively honest, which Jugyeong can depend on and seems to explicitly trust — and Jugyeong’s story, once again, grows to be more than just another love story.

It’s become a story of her trying to find a place in the world again, of her trying to figure out what exactly she can do for herself despite all these obstacles and hurdles.

I’m not saying with Seojun, she doesn’t go through any character development at all, no — but her focus tends to single-handedly narrow towards Seojun directly and their relationship, and it leaves very little for Jugyeong to really consider anything else, specially her own growth, which is equally important.

With Suho, she’s just able to do that a bit better, and we can see she’s slightly more comfortable too.

(And, before anybody comes at me, yes, I do think Jugyeong pushes Suho too. She literally recommends Suho books that he doesn’t seem he was going to read anytime soon, or he could’ve overlooked it easily — but she does that. She pushes him out of his comfort zone and suggested a new author / series. And Suho reads it, and he learns that he likes it. It’s the same when she recommends the music app. Or the hairdo. She’s always been a giant force pushing Suho forward; Suho’s always trying to change and/or improve himself when Jugyeong comes in.)

3. Conclusion

This is sooo long so I thank you if you’ve made it this far! I’m just really, really happy with the TV series and these thoughts about why I adore Suho have been nagging at me.

I hope everyone likes the full analysis of my messy thoughts as much as I enjoyed writing it fully on a whim at 1am.

[ongjuice]

han seojun best boy

[giullia-jung-art]

#TeamSuho here 🙋🏻‍♀️❤ (I'm not so proud of how I painted this though 🙈)

The love in his eyes when he looks at her 😍

I know most of the people are Seojun biased but I can't stop shipping Suho and Jukyung sorry xD ❤

[venusluvrr]

True Beauty (Webtoon): Why I Ship Seojun x Jugyeong

True Beauty (Webtoon): Why I Ship Seojun x Jugyeong

The whole Team Suho vs. Team Seojun war all began even when I started reading the “True Beauty” Webtoon by Yaongyi during its early weekly updates on the platform in English. I was only on Team Suho for a hot second before switching to ship Seojun and Jugyeong (I can’t remember exactly which chapter, but it was early on.) 

My brother on the other hand is a hardcore Suho x Jugyeong shipper -- which I have no problem with -- but whenever I ask him why, his answers are always pretty vague and in summary it’s just because he likes Suho better and that's that. 

In all honesty, I haven’t read many comments on those that ship Suho with Jugyeong in amount to the ones I’ve read about Seojun -- which is one reason I’m not exactly fit right now to be writing this blog yet -- but I mainly just wanted to share why I’ve been on Team Seojun all the way to Chapter 125 where I have currently left off. 

1. I personally like Seojun’s character more than I do Suho’s. 

Don’t get me wrong, the two of them are generally well-rounded characters with stunning looks and wholesome personalities, and I don't ever base ships off of how much I like one character (like my brother) but to me Suho has that typical K-drama male lead vibe, attitude and dressing, while Seojun is just a bit more attractive to me. He has sort of a model, street style with the slightest e-boy aesthetic, with a strong attitude when he wants to -- he has swag. In the beginning of the series I never knew he would become my favourite character next to Aiden, but I from the moment Suho left for Japan (and I feel kinda bad for saying this) I was rooting for Seojun to shoot his shot and get with Jugyeong while he had the chance... 

I’m the kind of person that tends likes to extra unnecessary drama if it makes the plot more interesting, so when Seojun finally kissed Jugyeong -- I was thrilled. 

2. Seojun and Jugyeong’s friendship bond was more playful than her and Suho’s. 

Maybe my point of view has changed from when I first started reading the webcomic, but with my thoughts all recollected, I recalled moments when Jugyeong and Seojun would tease and hit each other, etc. which I admired because I believe that only decently close friends can get to that point. On the other hand, I recalled the scene where Jugyeong and Suho reached for the same comic book, the fact that they’re both little nerds on the inside who both share a few similar hobbies. Their interactions were casual, yes, but it was a bit too cliche and expecting for me, especially after Suho saw and accepted her bare face. 

Mostly, I prefer to read fast-paced stories with serious plots and characters with a variety of definitive, unique personalities and looks. But “True Beauty” still got me hooked somehow -- maybe its the cliffhangers or the hanging questions that I’m waiting to be answered -- but my point is, I assumed that Suho and Jugyeong together would be plain, while her and Seojun’s relationship outcome would be something I would keep coming back to read about, and I know that I could be very wrong about that. I could imagine Suho and Jugyeong going on cute dates where they would watch horror movies together or go shopping for comic books or something like that, just having a blast (they can do that stuff while being best friends too.)

If I were the one writing the book I would have probably had Seojun and Jugyeong’s dates be more interesting than going to get food or meeting at the park every once in a while, but that's not how it is and its one area where I would ship her and Suho over her and Seojun to be honest. 

 3. Seojun and Jugyeong seem to love each other a lot. 

Near the beginning of their relationship I began to have my doubts about the ship -- does Seojun care more about looks than the person themselves? Is Seojun selfish and puts himself before Jugyeong? Does Seojun not trust Jugeyeong at all? Is Jugyeong just with Seojun to get over Suho?

But I feel like every time they reassure their love for each other or apologize or think about ways they can improve their relationship, all of my questions have been answered already. From where I’ve read up to, I’m strongly convinced that the two of them are in love -- okay maybe not Jugyeong this girl be swaying left and right about her feelings -- but Seojun for sure is trying his best to make their relationship work and everything they’ve done for each other is just adorable and I don’t want to see them broken apart. 

But of course something’s gonna happen cause Suho’s male lead material and Seojun is probably the second lead and us K-drama lovers all know that the second lead doesn’t end up with the girl in the end. 

Anyways, one thing I’d let to add to wrap up is that I do feel bad for Suho. This isn’t a Suho hate post, I love him and know that he deserves love just as much as Seojun. It wasn’t his fault he had to go on a trip and leave everything behind him. If he stayed, things probably would’ve been different, but that’s just how the story went. 

I really hope this blog doesn't age badly lmfao. 

[balladforhope]

Y’ALL I JUST HAD THE CRAZIEST IDEA!!!!! WHAT IF THEY MAKE SEOJUN ENDGAME & THEN MAKE A S2 WHERE SHE ENDS UP WITH SUHO🤡

THAT’S WHAT HAPPENED IN MY FIRST FIRST LOVE! song-i ended up with do-hyeon (second lead) in season 2 but was endgame with tae-o(main lead) in season 2

[night--street]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Rating: Mature Chapters: 1/1 Relationship: Im Jugyeong/Lee Suho (Suho-centric POV)

Warning: includes an anxiety attack

“I’m sorry,” Suho manages to say, his voice soft. “Are you okay?”

She’s kind of blubbering, tears streaming out of her eyes and down her cheeks that he’s holding. She sinks down to the ground, her back against the couch legs. “You’re asking if I’m okay?” Jugyeong asks in disbelief, using her sleeves to wipe away at her face. “When it should be me asking if you are okay?”

(Lee Suho has never had anyone stay by him through the hard times. Except her. She’s there. She’s always there. And she chooses him, over and over. And he can’t believe it.)

I’ve been wanting to write a Suho-centric fic forever, hope you read :)

[riocles]

(1)

It's been 12 years (Boys Over Flowers' Go Jun Pyo) since I was so immersed to a fictional character especially in a drama.

Since I read the webtoon last 2019 until now, I knew already the plot and I expected the webtoon will be the same with the drama adaptation. In webtoon, I rooted first for Jugyeong and Suho but after he left for Japan, here comes Seojun who confessed after 2 years and became Jugyeong's first boyfriend, kiss and the guy who supported her during those 2 years she felt hopeless. During the past that Suho is her first love, Seojun never meddled with her feelings but still he kept his feelings for her not only for Jugyeong but for Suho, his best friend. After 2/3 years (can't remember), he confessed and Jugyeong felt the same also and they became a couple in the webtoon. Quarrels and misunderstanding came along their way but these made their relationship grew stronger. But when he pursued his dream as an idol because it seemed like everything is falling apart around him(he's not that typical rich kid since he had some part-time jobs) , he decided to debut as an idol. Then, this became a hurdle for the two of them where she needed to break up with him in order for him to become a successful. Others may say it is a cliché type of plot, but no you can felt the great and selfless love of Jugyeong to Seojun especially when she suffered from the bashers and the way she kept missing him and their sweet moments. No wonder I rooted also for them in the drama but I'm wrong, the sweet moments and story line for Han Seojun were given to Lee Suho(to make it clear ,I have no hard feelings towards the actor and character, it's just the sudden change).