Jung Ho-yeon’s trajectory through the worlds of fashion and acting has established her as a prominent figure on the global stage. Beginning her professional life in modeling and achieving significant success, her transition to acting through a breakout role in a critically acclaimed series has cemented her status as a versatile talent.
Her journey in the fashion industry commenced in 2010 at age 16, participating in Seoul Fashion Week as a freelance model. By 2013, she garnered wider recognition as the runner-up on the fourth season of Korea’s Next Top Model. Her international modeling career accelerated in 2016 with her New York Fashion Week debut, leading to an exclusive modeling contract with Louis Vuitton.
In 2021, Jung Ho-yeon made her acting debut as Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067) in the Netflix series Squid Game. For the role, she undertook extensive preparation, including researching North Korean defectors, practicing the Hamgyŏng dialect, and learning martial arts. Squid Game subsequently brought her global recognition, transforming her into a breakout star. The series’ impact was also evident in her social media presence: her Instagram following skyrocketed from approximately 400,000 to over 15 million in under three weeks after the show’s release, making her the most-followed Korean actress on the platform. In February 2022, she received a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for Squid Game, marking a historic win for a non-English language series and for an actress of Asian and Korean descent. She also received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Following her Squid Game success, her presence in the fashion and entertainment landscape deepened. In October 2021, she was appointed Louis Vuitton’s Global House Ambassador for Fashion, Watches, and Jewelry. Her ambassadorial roles expanded to include Lancôme, and she has appeared in campaigns for Chanel, Hermès, and Bottega Veneta. Her influence was further recognized when she became the first solo Korean cover star for American Vogue in 2022 and was included on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list in the same year.
Jung Ho-yeon has since embraced diverse acting projects. In 2024, she appeared in Alfonso Cuarón’s miniseries Disclaimer and made a cameo in Chicken Nugget. She also featured in music videos for The Weeknd and NewJeans. Her feature film debut occurred in 2026, portraying police officer Im Sung-ae in Na Hong-jin’s sci-fi thriller Hope. This role necessitated intensive physical training, including gaining muscle and mastering various action techniques. As of late 2026, she is considering a role in the Netflix series ‘Outback’.
Her career’s rapid ascent and sustained momentum are attributable to a combination of factors: her established background in the fashion industry, the unprecedented global reach of Squid Game, and her strategic career choices to collaborate with experienced talents across various projects.