well, according to the social framing and timeline the webtoon followed, that times beauty standard wise paula would be considered ugly. But beauty standards are just abstract after all. I think her case is similar to apothecary diaries mc maomao's case, where she draws fake freckles to become ugly and lay low.
In reality if we consider Paula's characteristics: sharp eyes, small face and small body frame, brown wispy hair, freckles- she is actually a conventionally cute person. From my point of view it feels less that she is unattractive and more of the fact that she is unable to take care of herself and her stern expression from constantly being in survival mode.
conclusion: Paula is a baby and must proteccヽ(`Д´)ﾉ
Exactly beauty standards are relative, by that definition everyone is attractive. 90% is def about hygiene and personal grooming
is it just me who pictures paula as an average looking but cute person with freckles, like she's not ugly at all. and i just love her personality and character, they stand out more to me than her looks.