Episode 3 of True Beauty resumes right where the previous episode left off, with Seojun and Suho locked in a heated dispute. Amidst the commotion, Suho catches sight of Jugyeong amidst the gathered crowd. He gently pulls her aside and inquiries if she is acquainted with Seojun. Jugyeong, feigning ignorance, shakes her head, and Suho hands her back her earbuds with a subtle smile. Soon after, Seojun storms back into the classroom, unaware of the brewing intrigue.
One of Seojun's cronies approaches him with a bombshell: Jugyeong is a candidate for the prestigious Sebom Goddess title. The scene then shifts to Jugyeong in class, her heart pounding with relief that her true identity remains concealed from Seojun. Suddenly, her teacher beckons her to the front of the room, instructing her to pick a slip of paper from a box as part of her ongoing portrait assignment.
With trembling hands, Jugyeong draws out a slip and reads her fate: her assignment is to portray Seojun. If he declines, her grade will suffer a devastating blow. Determined to fulfill her task, Jugyeong seeks out Seojun, informing him of her assignment with a mixture of hope and anxiety. Seojun, playful as ever, responds that he'll consider it if Suho personally asks him to lend Jugyeong a hand. With that, he exits, leaving Jugyeong frustrated and puzzled by his noncommittal answer.
Elsewhere, Suho enters a classroom, his presence commanding attention. Sujin approaches him, hoping to practice acting together, but Suho politely declines and exits, leaving her behind. Meanwhile, Jugyeong, Chaerin, and Sua encounter Gowoon, a student from the music department whose appearance is far from stage-ready. Gowoon, aware of her vocal prowess but plagued by self-doubt over her looks, reveals she has an upcoming performance. Jugyeong, empathetic and resourceful, offers to help Gowoon transform her appearance with makeup.
As they wander around a bustling basketball court, an unexpected mishap occurs: Seojun's basketball collides with one of Jugyeong's drinks, splashing her face and ruining her carefully crafted look. Sua, protective of her friend, scolds Seojun for not keeping a better eye on the court, adding fuel to the already tense atmosphere.
Then, Suho arrives on the scene, tidying up the mess and urging Jugyeong to depart and freshen up. Seojun confronts Suho about his interventions, prompting Suho to strike back, insisting that Seojun owes Jugyeong an apology. Having cleaned herself up, Jugyeong returns home, delving into the implications of Suho's actions through research. Various unnamed individuals hint to Jugyeong that Suho might harbor feelings for her.
Determined to return Suho's cardigan, Jugyeong ventures to the Han River, where she finally reveals the reason behind her presence during the earlier flashback sequence. She confesses to Suho that she has suffered extensive bullying over her appearance in the past, yet she remains unfazed by it, acknowledging that life's hardships are but fleeting moments. Suho reassures Jugyeong that her beauty shines through, whether adorned with makeup or not. He empathizes with her desire for secrecy, drawing parallels to his own intermittent acting career.
Later, Jugyeong visits Gowoon to get her makeup done, and watches Gowoon's performance with tears brimming in her eyes from the audience. After the show, Jugyeong greets Gowoon and discovers that she is related to Seojun. As Jugyeong leaves and reflects on her evening at home, Sujin reaches out via message, informing her that he has followed her on social media. Jugyeong reciprocates, and Gowoon subsequently invites her to dinner at her place.
Upon arriving, Jugyeong finds Seojun emerging shirtless from the bathroom, who promptly apologizes and retreats to change into more appropriate attire before joining her and Gowoon at the dinner table. Following the meal, Seojun accompanies Jugyeong, vowing to assist her with her portrait assignment. Jugyeong expresses her gratitude.
Time slips by, and Jugyeong meets Sujin at Cafe Miyu, where they discuss the impending Sebon Goddess competition. Sujin acknowledges her desire to forge a closer bond with Jugyeong, acknowledging the competition as a potential obstacle. Nevertheless, she expresses her wish for them to grow closer.
As Jugyeong heads to school, she learns about a mission tied to the Sebom Goddess Competition. Conversations swirl around the possibility of Jugyeong and Sujin facing off against each other. The episode concludes with Jugyeong looking visibly apprehensive, her thoughts tumbling as she contemplates the challenges ahead.
