Who is HoYeon Jung?
HoYeon Jung is a well-known model in the Korean fashion industry, with more than 10 years of experience in runway catwalk. She has also appeared on the covers of many prestigious advertising publications and magazines. In particular, in 2021, the female model made her debut as an actress and quickly left a strong impression with her appearance in Squid Game – Netflix’s hit series. Let’s find out more about HoYeon Jung through this article!
HoYeon Jung’s profile
- Real name: Jung Ho Yeon
- Birthday: June 23, 1994
- Zodiac sign: Cancer
- Height: 1m76
- Hometown: Myeonmok-dong, South Korea
- Occupation: Model, actress
- Instagram: @hoooooyeony
HoYeon Jung: A popular model in the industry, the runner-up of 2014 Korea’s Next Top Model
HoYeon Jung started her modeling career at the age of 16. At that time, she did not sign with any agency but was active as a freelance model. Thanks to her outstanding Asian facial features and an ideal height, HoYeon Jung quickly had the chance to appear in many shows at Seoul Fashion Week for 2 consecutive years.
In 2014, the 1994-born model excellently became the Runner up of Korea’s Next Top Model cycle 4. Following her participation in the Top Model franchise, HoYeon Jung could blow up even more. She was even praised by Vogue magazine for having the gifted body and talent to become Korea’s top female model.
Stepping out of the competition, HoYeon Jung officially joined Esteem Models – the largest modeling agency in Korea. The 27-year-old model has an impressive media coverage. She has appeared on many influential fashion publications such as Vogue Girl Korea, First Look, Nylon Korea or ELLE Wedding. HoYeon’s achievements can even make her seniors in the industry jealous.
HoYeon Jung has also achieved great success in the international fashion market. She continuously gets booked to appear on the runway of luxury fashion brands such as Gucci, Fendi, Chanel or Louis Vuitton. With more than 10 years of experience, HoYeon Jung is currently considered the “treasure” of the Korean modeling industry. She is listed among the top 50 models voted by models.com.
HoYeon Jung is going viral after “Squid Game”
2021 is an important milestone in HoYeon Jung’s career. The 1m76-tall model had her first acting role as the female lead in Squid Game – the hit series that is currently trending on Netflix.
She takes on the role of Kang Sae Byeok – a North Korean defector and also player No. 067 in the survival game. In order to earn money to take his younger brother out of the orphanage and afford a house, Kang Sae Byeok bet her life on a mysterious survival game with the ambition to win a prize of 45.6 billion won.
Although it is her first time acting in a drama, HoYeon Jung has excellently portrayed the character who is cold on the outside but a deep personality on the inside. After finishing Squid Game, a large number of viewers give her many compliments and even claim that she deserves to be alive more than the male lead.
Jung Ho Yeon Challenges Herself in the Horror Series Disclaimer
Disclaimer is directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón, known for his acclaimed works Gravity (2013) and Roma (2018). In this Hollywood series, Jung Ho Yeon takes on her first English-speaking role.
The story centers on the life of Catherine Ravenscroft (played by Cate Blanchett), a renowned television documentary journalist whose career is built on exposing the wrongdoings of powerful institutions. However, her world begins to unravel when she receives a mysterious novel that reveals her darkest secrets from the past.
In Disclaimer, Jung Ho Yeon plays Ji-soo, Catherine Ravenscroft’s ambitious and hardworking assistant. Reflecting on her character, Jung Ho Yeon shared that she could deeply empathize with Ji-soo through her experiences living abroad. “After starting my modeling career, I had to move to New York. I remember dedicating myself entirely to my work and feeling that same intense passion Ji-soo has.”
Jung Ho Yeon also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to act alongside Cate Blanchett, describing it as an incredibly valuable experience. She admired the Australian actress’s professionalism, especially her ability to remain calm and focused even in unexpected situations on set.
To bring Ji-soo to life as authentically as possible, Jung Ho Yeon adopted the method acting approach. For a month, she lived in London as a true local. Her routine included having breakfast daily at Pret A Manger, attending accent training sessions to perfect a standard British accent with her coach, and discussing her character in depth with director Alfonso Cuarón.
Director Cuarón praised Jung Ho Yeon for her dedication and preparation for the role. He noted her eagerness to learn, pointing out how she consistently took notes during filming.
As Jung Ho Yeon embarks on her Hollywood journey, fans have showered her with congratulatory messages, expressing their excitement for her global prospects. However, some skeptics have raised concerns about her readiness to take on a major project like Disclaimer, citing her limited acting experience.
Private Life
In addition to her successful career, regarding her personal life, the 27-year-old actress and model also made fans jealous with her dreamy 9-year relationship with Lee Dong Hwi – the male actor who appeared in Reply 1988.
However in November 2024, Lee Dong-hwi and Hoyeon Jung were reported to break up and went back to being colleagues.
Sources: yan
