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8 Korean fashion models rocking the global runways, from HoYeon Jung of Squid Game and Louis Vuitton fame, to Irene Kim, Shin Hyun-ji and Park Soo-joo, who are besties with BTS’ J-Hope and Blackpink

South Korea’s runway queens: Park Soo-joo, Shin Hyun-ji, Sora Choi and HoYeon Jung. Photos: @soojmooj,  @iamhyunjishin, @sola5532/Instagram; EPA,
South Korea’s runway queens: Park Soo-joo, Shin Hyun-ji, Sora Choi and HoYeon Jung. Photos: @soojmooj, @iamhyunjishin, @sola5532/Instagram; EPA,

  • Jang Yoon-ju has posed with Kate Moss and Carla Bruni, hosts Korea’s Next Top Model and stars in the hit series Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area
  • HoYeon Jung was a Seoul Fashion Week regular before Netflix’s Squid Game catapulted her to global fame – she was once the most-followed Korean actress on Instagram, even eclipsing Song Hye-kyo

It’s not just K-pop and K-drama stars who have been rising on the global stage – South Korean models have also been making their marks on the fashion world. From stealing the show on the runways to rubbing shoulders with the stylish elite, meet eight models on their way to the top or already there – all while having secondary careers as actresses, musicians or designers too.

1. Lee Sung-kyung, 32

Lee Sung-kyung has tasted immense success on both the catwalk and screen. Photo: @heybiblee/Instagram
Lee Sung-kyung has tasted immense success on both the catwalk and screen. Photo: @heybiblee/Instagram
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Lee, who made her modelling debut in 2008, is one of South Korea’s most successful models-turned-actresses-slash-singers. Early in her career, Lee walked numerous runways at Seoul Fashion Week, becoming a favourite of streetwear and menswear brands because of her swagger. At the CFDK awards in 2014, she was named best female fashion model of the year, per Soompi.

Lee Sung-kyung models for many brands, including Chanel and Shiseido. Photo: @heybiblee/Instagram
Lee Sung-kyung models for many brands, including Chanel and Shiseido. Photo: @heybiblee/Instagram

She eventually starred in dramas and gained massive attention for her first-ever lead role in the drama Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo. She models for brands like Shiseido, Chanel and Moncler, among others.

2. Irene Kim, 35

Irene Kim walked at Seoul Fashion Week as far back as 2012. Photo: @ireneisgood/Instagram
Irene Kim walked at Seoul Fashion Week as far back as 2012. Photo: @ireneisgood/Instagram
Kim is difficult to pin down, as she’s a true blue multi-hyphenate in addition to one of fashion’s most recognisable faces. As far back as 2012, the Korean-American model was walking the runways at Seoul Fashion Week, and she quickly became a street style star thanks to her edgy outfits and unicorn hair. Today, her 2.7 million Instagram followers know her best as a Chanel ambassador, a global influencer who loves wearing Dior, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana, and a good friend of BTS’ J-Hope and singer-songwriter Jessica Jung.

3. HoYeon Jung, 28

Model HoYeon Jung made an massive impact in Squid Game and is a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton. Photo: EPA-EFE
Model HoYeon Jung made an massive impact in Squid Game and is a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton. Photo: EPA-EFE
Before her Squid Game fame, Jung was a regular at Seoul Fashion Week before deciding to go global and turn heads with her fiery red hair, her signature look. Since debuting as an actress in Squid Game, her popularity has skyrocketed and she once became the most-followed Korean actress on Instagram, eclipsing actress Song Hye-kyo and fellow fashion model-turned-actress Lee Sung-kyung, per News2Day. In 2021, Jung was also named global ambassador of Louis Vuitton and has worn the brand at red carpet events for Squid Game as well as to the Met Gala.