Hoyeon Jung is a South Korean model and actress who gained global fame for her breakout role as Kang Sae-byeok in Netflix’s Squid Game. She originally gained recognition in the fashion industry as a model for high-end labels like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. She was born on June 23, 1994.Known for her fiery red hair during her modeling days, she transitioned into acting and quickly became one of Korea’s rising starsHer success story, which combines skill, perseverance, and personality, is respected globally.
Hoyeon Jung has shared that her sudden rise to fame after Squid Game was both exciting and overwhelming. She once admitted feeling lonely in the U.S. while working, but acting gave her a sense of purpose and confidence.
Early Life and Background:
Hoyeon Jung was born on June 23, 1994, in Seoul, South Korea. Growing up, she described herself as a shy girl but also ambitious. Her tall frame and striking looks made her stand out early on, but she wasn’t sure which direction her life would take.
She developed an interest in fashion while still in high school and decided to pursue modeling. Her family was supportive, although she faced the pressure of entering a highly competitive industry. By When she was sixteen, she began modelling. During these years, she dealt with rejections and struggled with self-confidence but stayed determined to succeed.
This perseverance in her teenage years laid the foundation for the resilience that would later define her success in both modeling and acting.
Modeling Career: The Beginning of Stardom
After Hoyeon competed in Korea’s Next Top Model Season 4 in 2013, where she placed second, her career really took off. Although she didn’t win, the show gave her national exposure and opened doors to the fashion world.
Soon after, she signed with top modeling agencies and started walking runways in Seoul. Her career quickly took an international turn when she appeared in New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week.
Some highlights of her modeling career include:
- Walking for luxury fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, and Fendi.
- appearing in publications including Harper’s Bazaar Korea, Elle Korea, and Vogue Korea.
- being included in Models.com’s “Top 50 Models” list.
What set her apart was her distinctive aura. With her fiery red hair during her early career and her sharp features, she stood out against traditional Korean beauty standards. Many fashion critics described her as “magnetic” on the runway because of her natural confidence and ability to bring clothes to life.
Transition to Acting:
Despite her rising success in modeling, Jung felt a lack of personal fulfillment. Modeling gave her fame and recognition, but it often left her feeling like she was only a canvas for designers rather than an artist herself. This internal conflict pushed her to explore acting.
In 2020, Jung began taking acting classes and auditioning for roles. She later revealed in interviews that she was extremely nervous about shifting industries, worried that people would not take her seriously as an actress.
However, fate had other plans. In 2021, Netflix announced the production of Squid Game, a survival drama that would soon become one of the most-watched shows in history. Jung auditioned for the role of Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067), a North Korean defector trying to win the deadly games to provide a better life for her younger brother.
Breakthrough with Squid Game:
Hoyeon’s performance in Squid Game was nothing short of phenomenal. Despite being her first-ever acting role, she brought incredible depth, vulnerability, and strength to her characterSae-byeok was a symbol of sacrifice and tenacity in addition to being a fan favourite.
The show’s global success turned Hoyeon into an international star overnight. Some notable outcomes include:
Her Instagram followers skyrocketed from 400,000 to 20 million in just a few weeks, making her one of the most-followed Korean actresses.
- She received the Outstanding Performance in a Drama Series Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG).
- She became the first Korean actress to appear on the cover of Vogue US (February 2022 edition).
- She earned multiple award nominations, including a Critics’ Choice Award and recognition from the Emmy Awards.
- The raw emotion she delivered in her role resonated deeply with global audiences, proving that she was more than just a model-turned-actress she was a genuine talent with a promising future.
Personal Life and Experiences:
Fame can often feel overwhelming, and Hoyeon has been candid about her struggles. After the release of Squid Game, she admitted to feeling lonely and anxious living abroad, particularly in the U.S. where she spent much of her time for promotions and acting opportunities. She confessed that she sometimes felt like her life was moving too fast for her to process.
However, she has also emphasized how acting gave her a sense of purpose and identity that modeling never fully provided. Through her work, she learned more about herself and discovered a deep love for storytelling.
Hoyeon has been in a long-term relationship with actor Lee Dong-hwi, known for his role in Reply 1988. The couple has been together since 2015. They are admired for maintaining a strong and supportive relationship despite the pressures of fame.
Another important aspect of her personal life is her stance on natural beauty. Unlike many celebrities in Korea, Jung has openly embraced her authentic look and has never undergone plastic surgery, making her a role model for embracing one’s uniqueness.
Global Fashion Icon:
Even after her transition to acting, Jung remains deeply tied to the fashion world. Following Squid Game, she became the global ambassador for Louis Vuitton, a role that solidified her position as both an actress and fashion powerhouse.
She has appeared in numerous high-profile campaigns, including collaborations with Adidas, Vogue, Calvin Klein, and Chanel Beauty. She continues to grace magazine covers worldwide, blending her fashion legacy with her acting fame.
Designers often praise her for embodying the “modern muse” someone who represents elegance, strength, and individuality all at once. With her unique identity, she is redefining what it means to be a global fashion icon from Asia.
Languages and Talents:
Hoyeon speaks her native Korean fluently, but since her Hollywood breakthrough, she has been working hard to master English. She often shares in interviews how challenging it was to express herself in another language at first, but her determination has paid off.
Her language skills not only help her connect with international fans but also open doors to global acting opportunities. Beyond acting, Jung also has a passion for drawing and music, hobbies she enjoys during her downtime to keep herself grounded.
Achievements and Recognition:
Hoyeon Jung’s list of achievements is already impressive, considering her short time in the acting industry. Some of her most notable accomplishments include:
- First Korean cover star of U.S. Vogue (2022)
- Winner of the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance in a Drama Series (Squid Game)
- Named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People by Time Magazine (2022)
- Recognized as one of the most influential fashion icons on Instagram
- A rising actress who has already secured major Hollywood opportunities
Her impact goes beyond awards—she has become a symbol of Korea’s global cultural influence, often referred to as part of the “Hallyu Wave” of stars conquering international markets.
Height, Appearance, and Popularity:
Fans often admire Jung’s physical presence. She stands tall at 176 cm (5 ft 9 in), which contributed to her modeling success. Her slender frame, sharp cheekbones, and piercing eyes give her a strong yet graceful appearance.
In Squid Game, her look was intentionally toned down to reflect Sae-byeok’s struggles, but in fashion shoots, her versatility shines she can effortlessly switch from high fashion glam to natural simplicity.
Her popularity continues to soar globally, with fans across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. celebrating her as a multi-talented star.
Frequently Asked Question:
1. Is HoYeon Jung in a relationship?
Yes, HoYeon Jung has been in a committed relationship with actor Lee Dong-hwi since 2015. Despite the 9-year age difference, their romance has always been steady and full of mutual support. Lee Dong-hwi is a respected actor in South Korea, best known for Reply 1988, and HoYeon often mentions how supportive he was when her career skyrocketed after Squid Game. The two don’t showcase their relationship much on social media, preferring privacy, but they are admired as one of the most stable and inspiring celebrity couples in the Korean entertainment industry.
2. Who played 067 in the Squid Game?
The role of 067 (Kang Sae-byeok) in Squid Game was portrayed by HoYeon Jung, marking her acting debut. Before acting, she was a world-renowned fashion model, walking for brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Marc Jacobs. She admitted in interviews that she didn’t expect to land such a huge role but worked tirelessly on her North Korean accent to bring authenticity to Sae-byeok’s character. Her performance earned her global recognition, awards, and a huge Instagram following, cementing her status as a rising star in Hollywood.
3. Did HoYeon Jung get surgery?
There has been speculation about whether HoYeon Jung has had plastic surgery, but there’s no evidence or confirmation that she has undergone any cosmetic procedures. In fact, her unique features, such as her sharp cheekbones and slim physique, helped her stand out in the fashion world long before acting. Many fans and fashion editors highlight her as an example of natural beauty in the Korean entertainment industry, which often favors uniform standards. HoYeon herself has never publicly commented on undergoing surgery, further suggesting that her beauty is natural.
4. What language does Jung HoYeon speak?
HoYeon Jung’s native language is Korean, but she also speaks English. Since gaining international fame through Squid Game, she has improved her English significantly to attend global interviews, work with Hollywood directors, and represent major brands like Louis Vuitton as a global ambassador. She has mentioned in interviews that learning English was challenging but rewarding, as it opened more doors in her career.
5. Who is the pretty girl in the Squid Game?
The “pretty girl” most fans refer to is Kang Sae-byeok (067), portrayed by HoYeon Jung. Her combination of striking visuals and raw emotional acting left a lasting impression on viewers. While she was already famous as a top fashion model, her debut in Squid Game catapulted her to worldwide fame. She also became a global fashion icon, appearing on covers of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar shortly after the show’s success.
6. Is 067 456 a daughter in real life?
No, Kang Sae-byeok (067) and Seong Gi-hun (456) are not father and daughter in real life or in the storyline. Their relationship in Squid Game is built on mutual trust and survival rather than family ties. However, many fans noticed that Gi-hun often treated Sae-byeok with a sense of responsibility, almost like a protective father figure. Off-screen, HoYeon Jung and Lee Jung-jae share a close friendship and professional respect, but they are not related by blood.
7. How much did Lee Jung get paid for the Squid Game?
The first season of Squid Game reportedly brought in close to $2.7 million for Lee Jung-jae, who reportedly made about $300,000 every episode. While this sounds like a large sum, many fans felt it was small compared to how much revenue Netflix made from the show’s worldwide popularity. Still, his role as 456 completely revitalized his career and turned him into an international star. Following Squid Game, Lee Jung-jae landed more global opportunities, including roles in Hollywood productions.
8. Which Korean actress never had plastic surgery?
Several Korean actresses are praised for keeping their natural looks, and HoYeon Jung is one of them. Her sharp features, natural charisma, and tall frame made her stand out in fashion before acting. Other examples include Kim Go-eun, who is admired for her unaltered beauty in Goblin, and Jung Yu-mi, who is also celebrated for staying authentic. These actresses are often admired not just for their acting skills but for proving that natural beauty can shine in an industry where surgery is common.
9. Who did the surgeries in season 1 of Squid Game?
In Squid Game, the organ-harvesting subplot was carried out by masked guards and a secret doctor who was brought in among the players. They illegally removed organs from dead participants to sell them on the black market. This subplot was separate from the official games, showing that corruption even existed within the staff. It was eventually discovered and brutally punished by the Front Man, emphasizing the strict rules of the deadly competition.
10. Is Sae-Byeok tall?
Indeed, HoYeon Jung, the actress from Sae-byeok, is a very tall woman, standing at 176 cm (5 feet 9 inches). This height is above average in South Korea and was one of the reasons she became a successful international runway model. Her tall and slim figure gave her an edge in the fashion industry, and it also enhanced her strong, confident presence in Squid Game. Her model-like aura was a perfect match for the role of Sae-byeok, who had to stand out as a determined survivor.
Conclusion:
Hoyeon Jung’s story is a true example of how passion and persistence can turn dreams into reality. From her early struggles as a model to becoming a global star through Squid Game, she has inspired millions worldwide. Her natural beauty, authenticity, and versatility have made her both a fashion icon and a respected actress. She maintains her groundedness and authenticity despite her quick ascent to popularity.As her journey continues, Hoyeon Jung stands as a powerful symbol of Korea’s growing influence on the global stage.
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