kennedydaphne900

Born on a day that should have been perfect, twin sisters Kang Hana and Kang Dara entered the world with equal promise—or so it seemed. As the years passed, one blossomed into a vision of beauty, while the other became a shadow, labeled “ugly” by a society obsessed with perfection.

Hana grew up in a world where beauty and talent were everything, but she had neither. Ridiculed, dismissed, and treated as a joke, her only solace was a desperate dream, to become an idol and prove her worth to the world.

Yet the road to stardom is not kind to those who don’t fit the mold. Desperation leads Hana to make a fateful decision, one that transforms her life forever. But beauty comes at a price, and the secrets she keeps and the lies she weaves to sustain her new life may just be her ultimate downfall.

As Hana rises in the cutthroat world of idols, she faces a harrowing choice: cling to the fragile perfection she’s achieved, or rediscover the strength to embrace who she truly is, even if it means losing everything.

A story of ambition, identity, and the dark side of fame, The Ugliest Beauty asks the ultimate question: How far would you go to be loved?

THE UGLIEST BEAUTY

Garam High School loomed before Hana, its towering gates and bright façade a constant reminder of the nightmares that awaited her inside.

The morning sun smiled down from above, white clouds drifting lazily across the sky, the hues of blue so vibrant it seemed like the world was celebrating.

But to Hana, it felt like a bad omen.

The cheerful weather had no place in her heart.

As she walked toward the school, someone bumped into her, jarring her out of her thoughts. "Get out of the way, ugly fucking duckling!" a student spat, the words biting into her skin.

"Ugh, we have to see her face again this year too?" another one giggled, their friends snickering along.

"Honestly, I feel like hurling all my breakfast at such a repulsive sight," a third added, shoving past her.

Hana stumbled, nearly falling, when suddenly, strong arms caught her.

She looked up, and for the briefest moment, she thought she had fallen into a dream. Standing before her was Kim Jun Woo, the most handsome boy in their school, the one every girl admired.

"Are you alright?" His voice was deep and warm, like something from a fairy tale.

Flustered, Hana quickly pulled away from his grasp, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I—I'm fine," she stammered, her nerves making her sweat.

But before she could collect herself, Dara's voice sliced through the moment. "Oppa, you're here! I missed you so much during the holidays!"

Jun Woo glanced at Dara, slipping his arm out of hers with a casual shrug. "Hmmm, sure," was all he said before walking away, his eyes lingering on Hana for a second too long.

Dara's smile was dazzling, a perfect mask to hide the cruelty beneath. As she walked past Hana, she couldn't resist the temptation to speak. "You know, some people will never experience what it's like to be pretty," she said, her voice dripping with condescension.

A group of students clustered around Dara, their admiration evident in every whispered word.

"Wow, Dara got even prettier over the holidays!" one girl gushed.

"Sunbae, she's so pretty," another junior whispered in awe.

Hana felt her stomach churn as Dara's friends fawned over her. Then, they turned their attention to Hana.

"Oh my god, what product do you use for your skin to glow like that?" one of them asked, her voice almost too loud.

"Wow, your skin is so flawless, it's amazing!" another squealed.

Dara smirked at Hana, her eyes full of silent malice, before walking away.

Hana stood there, trying to swallow the humiliation, as Dara's laughter echoed in her ears.

The whispering continued, and Hana couldn't escape it.

The world she had been born into, the one she was so desperately trying to escape, was suffocating her once again.

Chapter 3