What To Know About HoYeon Jung From 'Squid Game'
The lead actress from the Korean drama series Squid Game is a star in the making.
Squid Game, a K-Drama making massive waves on Netflix, has introduced the masses to a new breakout star, HoYeon Jung. The show takes place in an alternate reality in which hundreds of broke contestants compete in deadly versions of kid games to win money. One of the contestants, 067, is a North Korean defector played by Jung.
The cute, bob-headed 067 needs money to reunite her family. In real life, Jung's portrayal of the character touched so many hearts that she gained nearly nine million followers on Instagram following the show's debut. Here's what you should know about Jung if you're considering joining her growing fanbase.
Jung began her modeling career at 17 after some schoolmates told her that her height might give her an advantage. She went to a modeling academy in Korea, where she learned how to walk and pose. Now 27, Jung has walked in countless shows across the globe and appeared on the cover of magazines like Vogue Korea, Vogue Japan, CR Fashion Book, and Harper’s BAZAAR Korea.
Jung officially signed with South Korea's Saram Entertainment in January of last year, hoping to pursue her dream of acting. She was at New York Fashion Week when she got the call from her agency asking her to audition for Squid Game. The success of the show certainly seems promising for the budding actress.
Though Squid Game is Jung's acting debut, it's actually the second TV show she's been cast in. Back at the start of her modeling career, Jung competed in Season 4 of Korea's Next Top Model, a version of America's Next Top Model. She ended up finishing in second place and gained a significant audience, allowing her to take her modeling career to an international level.
Jung is good friends with another Korean starlet, Jennie Kim from the k-pop group Blackpink. The two shared a cute snap on Instagram lying on a cot from the Squid Game set. Jung also revealed to Netflix that Kim sent a coffee truck to set in support of her friend's new acting career.
Jung is reportedly dating fellow actor Lee Dong Hwi, best known for his role in Reply 1988. News that the couple was an item came from Dong Hwi's label back in 2016, letting fans know that the pair began dating the year prior. Dong Hwi also made his debut as an R&B singer this year, as part of the group MSG Wannabe. It seems that they are both trying new things!
