For the past five years, HoYeon Jung had been tearing up the runway in South Korea, on her way to becoming one of the most accomplished supermodels of all time. But after appearing in Netflix’s new thriller series – “Squid Game,” her rise to fame has skyrocketed like never before.
HoYeon Jung bumped up her social media following by 15 million in just three weeks, “making her the most-followed South Korean actress on Instagram,” according to Forbes.
“Just the fact that so many people around the world are showing their interest puts me in a good mood” – HoYeon Jung
It was announced that HoYeon Jung had scored a significant fashion partnership with one of the biggest luxury fashion brands – Louis Vuitton.
“It is an honour to start my acting career with Louis Vuitton, the brand I have modelled for. I look forward to all the moments with Louis Vuitton as a global ambassador.” – HoYeon Jung
So, how did this 27-year-old go from being unsure of what she wanted to do with her life to excelling overnight to live a life of luxury as the world’s most loved South Korean?
While the new Netflix series may have brought her instant global fame, she has been known in South Korea for several years.
2013 placed her in second place on the fourth season of Korea’s Next Top Model, while a 2015 Vogue article dubbed her “Korea’s next top model”.
In 2018, she was ranked as one of the “Top 50” female fashion models by one of the most influential fashion news sites in the fashion industry- Models.com.
After moving to New York City to find her next challenge, the star decided to step into acting. She secured herself an agent and before she knew it her first acting role had arrived – “Squid Game”.
For HoYeon Jung—who plays secretive pickpocket Kang Sae-byeok, a.k.a. competitor 067, her role involves a North Korean defector trying to win money to retrieve family members trapped across the border.
HoYeon Jung’s rise to fame and fortune has only just begun; she is currently fronting Adidas’ new “adicolor” campaign.
With a hopeful second season of “Squid Game” on the horizon, we look forward to seeing what’s next for the superstar.
SEE MORE: SQUID GAME | THE INS AND OUTS OF THE HIGHEST RANKING THRILLER SERIES ON NETFLIX