South Korean star Bae Suzy (배수지) rose to fame with her role as Yang Seo-yeon in the film “Architecture 101” and was dubbed the “Nation’s First Love” for her fresh and radiant beauty. Over the years, she has continued to challenge herself with diverse roles, showcasing her versatile acting in dramas like “Uncontrollably Fond,” “Anna,” “Doona!,” and “All the Love You Wish For.” In a recent interview with a fashion magazine, Suzy uncharacteristically discussed her thoughts on her “first love face,” admitting she previously didn't understand why people associated her looks with a “first love,” even humbly stating, “My face is ordinary and plain.”
Suzy graced the cover of ELLE fashion magazine’s October issue. The photoshoot drew inspiration from her most comfortable and private living spaces, bringing everyday scenes into the lens. Dressed in CELINE’s 2026 Winter collection, she exuded a naturally relaxed vibe at times, while at others, she shifted her aura under dramatic lighting, showcasing distinctly different charms.
During the interview, Suzy reflected on the characters she has portrayed, from Yang Seo-yeon in “Architecture 101” to Lee Yu-mi in “Anna,” Lee Doo-na in “Doona!,” and Ki Ga-young in “All the Love You Wish For.” Each role allowed her to embody women of different personalities, gradually revealing the potential hidden within her own appearance.
She confessed that she never quite understood why people associated her face with a “first love” until someone told her, “Because your face is ordinary and plain, it’s easy for viewers to project the emotions from the film onto it.” This remark prompted her to view her appearance from a different angle. “I thought, maybe my face can embody many different characters,” she explained.
Over time, Suzy also began to discover expressions and facets of herself in front of the camera that she had never noticed before. “Sometimes I find expressions or faces I didn’t know I had before, and those moments make me really happy. I also feel like there are still some aspects of myself hidden that even I don’t know about.”
Unexpectedly, this interview sparked a heated discussion across the Korean internet. Many netizens found Suzy’s description of herself as “ordinary and plain” difficult to comprehend, leaving comments like: “Who told her such a thing? It’s absurd to say that to Suzy,” “Suzy must just be interpreting that comment in a positive way, right? How could you tell a celebrity known for her beauty that she’s ‘ordinary and plain’?” “Plain Suzy? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard all year,” and “I think she does have a blank canvas feel, but she’s definitely not ordinary.”
Some netizens recalled Suzy’s debut, stating, “When her debut song’s music video was released, everyone was talking about Suzy’s looks. Not just online communities, even my all-girls school at the time was discussing it.”
Others pointed out that Suzy’s features are actually quite striking. “In the past, when I saw her on variety shows or in Instagram comments, some people would indeed say she looked like their friend, or even that someone they knew was prettier. But Suzy’s actual features are incredibly glamorous; anyone who’s seen her in person wouldn’t say such a thing,” one user wrote. Another added, “Not one of her eyes, nose, or mouth could be called ordinary or plain.” A third commented, “I think they might have meant she doesn’t have overly sharp angles, and her overall look is very delicate.”
Many netizens who have seen Suzy in person also shared their first impressions. “I only remember being shocked by her three-dimensional and exquisite features the first time I saw her in person,” one said. Another questioned, “Was she gaslit by someone?” while a third speculated, “Did she mean to say ‘innocent’ but used the wrong word?”
Some netizens even used descriptions of other celebrities to poke fun. “Un-handsome Seo Kang-joon (서강준), ordinary Suzy… these are simply incompatible word combinations,” one commented. Another added, “Anyone who has seen Suzy in person will know that she and ‘plain’ are antonyms. I heard many people don’t even recognize Suzy the first time they see her because she’s too beautiful.”
Suzy, who was previously crowned the “Nation’s First Love” for her fresh and natural beauty, now describing herself as “ordinary and plain,” has unexpectedly sparked a polarized discussion on the Korean internet. While she views her appearance from an actor’s perspective, netizens clearly aren’t convinced, reigniting a fervent debate about “how beautiful she truly is in person.”
