Jung Ho-Yeon’s rise to fame was both sudden and unexpected — at least for the model turned actress herself. Used to the modeling lifestyle, Jung didn’t expect to land a role in Netflix's Squid Game that would change her life forever. Who would have thought that her debut acting role would immediately be her breakout one that would earn her recognition all the way in Hollywood?
Born on June 23, 1994 in Myeonmok-dong, Seoul, South Korea, Jung was raised in a well-off Christian family with two siblings. She showcased her aptitude modeling in early childhood with her photogenic features and expressions. Jung completed her basic high school education at the Hyewon's Girls High School. Given how she was already taking modeling classes throughout high school at the age of 14, her follow-up dreams were clearly settled on majoring in modeling at the Dongduk Women's University College of Performing Arts. Indeed, it's here that she learned how to model-walk, a skill that would definitely come in handy in the near future.
Jung's modeling career has seen her competing on Korea's Next Top Model and booking runway shows at Seoul Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week. Some of the famous luxury brands she's walked for include Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Prabal Gurung, and Oscar de la Renta, to name a few. It would, however, be Squid Game that changed the course of her life. Here's a look at how Jung Ho-yeon went from Korea's Next Top Model to Hollywood's newest rising star.
Korea’s Next Top Model
Although she certainly had the predesposition and aspiration to become a model, Jung admitted to Vanity Fair that, when she started at the age of 14, she had no prior background or interest in fashion; she simply just wanted to make money and travel the world, and modeling seemed like the most efficient option. Starting out at such a young age, Jung worked as a freelance model for two years and had to work her own way up in small steps. 2010 saw her debut for Korean labels at Seoul Fashion Week, which gave her the push to audition for the second season of Korea's Next Top Model. It ultimately didn't work out in her favor as she had to quit after getting into the Top 30. However, after signing with Esteem Models, Jung attempted Korea's Next Top Model again in the fourth season and managed to win second place (first runner-up). From there, it was only natural that the Korean editions of magazines like Vogue, Elle, and W wanted to display her in their centerfolds. After conquering the industry in her home country, the next step was New York — with red hair.
“Red-Head Fiery Asian”
Needing to break out of her comfort zone, Jung yearned to get out into the world, experience new things, and make her global mark. Signing with the prestigious modeling agency, Elite Model Management, Jung decided to move overseas to New York, where she would have endless opportunities waiting for her. However, before doing so, she made a bold decision — without consulting her agents — to dye her hair red, which would go on to become her signature look abroad. That said, it's disheartening that despite her success as a model, people overseas would call her the "red-haired Asian" instead of learning how to pronounce her name. As for her first international show, shortly after her Alexander Wang exclusive got canceled, she made her grand debut at the New York Opening Ceremony, where she had the chance to walk with her role model Karlie Kloss. It was after this gig that the fashion world fell in love with Jung, and never stopped.
Indeed, Jung got to walk for major names such as Marc Jacobs, Alberta Ferretti, Chanel, Max Mara, and Fendi, and appeared in campaigns for Sephora and Gap. The 2016 Parish Fashion Week earned her a Louis Vuitton exclusive, and five years later, per Harper's Bazaar, she'd have the honor to become their global ambassador. The people working with her always described her, per Vogue, as "very special, super generous and friendly" and very easy to fall in love with. Likely thanks to both her easy-going personality and work ethic, Jung has climbed her way to the top of the chain, walking in shows for huge brands, from Burberry and Emilio Pucci to Gucci and Chanel.
Jung has since partnered with Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès, Bottega Veneta, and Adidas Original for their campaigns and advertisements. The grind never seemed to stop over the ten years of her career as a model, which is what led Jung to explore the idea of furthering her experiences as a human being. Being featured on the covers of Vogue Korea and other major magazines was definitely a career achievement, but she wanted to branch out. It was time to take some acting lessons.
Breaking Through with Squid Game
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Despite being so young, and due to the fashion industry (toxic) obsession with youth, Jung's modeling working gradually declined. As a result, she knew she needed to expand her professional skills and prepare a back-up plan in case work really dried up. Jung told Teen Vogue that she started taking acting lessons back in Korea while still modeling and perfecting her English. She found refuge in movies and TV shows while stuck in hotels abroad and found the movie industry the perfect fit for her. Once her modeling contract ended, she went on to sign with the acting agency Saram Entertainment.
As if the stars aligned in her favor, the first-ever script she received from her agent was none other than the role of Kang Saebyeok in the hit show Squid Game. While in New York for Fashion Week, Jung was called to Korea to properly audition and immediately landed the role. The fear of disappointing and failing such an important debut project was there. Nonetheless, Jung dedicated the time to prepare for the role by learning the North Korean Hamgyŏng dialect, training in martial arts, and keeping a journal from the defector's point of view.
Drawing on the feeling of loneliness that she felt through her modeling career, Jung managed to bring to life the show's now-favorite character. Not only did Squid Game become Netflix's biggest series launch of all time, the actress became so popular that she saw her Instagram following go from 400,000 to now 23.2 million, making her the most-followed South Korean actress of all time. The success didn't stop there as Jung and her co-star Lee Jung-Jae made history by winning Best Actor and Actress at the 2022 SAG Awards. And that's what you call a successful acting debut.
What’s Next For Jung Ho-yeon?
After signing with the Creative Artists Agency in November 2021, it's safe to assume that Jung's more likely to focus on her upcoming acting projects rather than retreating back to runway. She has already appeared in The Weeknd's music video for "Out of Time" alongside Jim Carrey. As for movies, Joe Talbot's upcoming A24 feature The Governesses will star Jung alongside Lilly-Rose Depp and Renate Reinsve as three rebellious governesses who decide to abandon their lifestyle for more Bohemian, erotic adventures. We can also expect to see the actress in an upcoming AppleTV+ thriller Disclaimer opposite Cate Blanchett. The plot centers on a famed journalist who discovers she's a novel character hiding a big secret. Make sure to definitely keep an eye out, as we can say with utmost certainty that Jung's star in Hollywood is just beginning to rise.