HoYeon Jung overtakes Song Hye-kyo on IG: Facts about ‘Squid Game's' player 067
MANILA, Philippines — It’s been three weeks since its global release but "Squid Game" is not showing any sign of slowing down, becoming the first-ever series to top daily charts in all 83 countries where Netflix streams, according to a report from Korea JoongAng Daily.
Along with the show’s meteoric rise to global popularity, its cast members are also benefiting from it. One of them is the series’ breakout star HoYeon Jung, who is now the second most followed Korean celebrity on Instagram, overtaking Song Hye-kyo, one of Korea’s biggest stars.
Here are some of the interesting facts to know about this model-turned-actress who played an important thematic role in "Squid Game":
She used to model for Louis Vuitton
Before garnering worldwide attention from her "Squid Game" debut, Jung was a professional model and was dubbed as “Korea’s next top model” by Vogue Korea, where she appeared on the namesake show’s fourth season.
At age 16, she already has an impressive modeling career that spans from Paris to New York and has graced covers of Vogue Japan, Vogue China, Vogue Netherlands, W Korea, and Harper’s Bazaar Korea, to name a few. Models.com has also ranked her as one of the top 50 fashion models to watch.
She has walked the runways for some of the biggest luxury fashion brands such as Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry and Roberto Cavalli. In 2016, she scored her first international modeling contract with Louis Vuitton, which was then followed by a string of projects, including walking for Louis Vuitton at the Paris Fashion Week in 2018.
She used to sport a long, red femme fatale hair
If you look her up on Models.com and Google, in a few of her photos from the Louis Vuitton Paris Fashion Week show, you’ll be surprised to see a proud and unapologetic young female model with iconic red hair taking her rightful place in the grueling and fierce fashion world, a polarizing opposite of the character she played in "Squid Game."
It’s quite normal for high-fashion models in Korea to experiment with hair colors as it adds more depth and character to their looks. Jung knows she’s got an impressive jawline, and a beautiful face to match, and what better way to take it to the next level than flaming-red hair.
She’s a Blink for life
She’s been friends with BLACKPINK's Jennie since their younger years in the entertainment industry, so it goes without saying that HoYeon Jung is a certified Blink.
If you’re following her on Instagram, then you might have seen the photo she posted with Jennie at the set of "Squid Game," proving that they would always have each other’s back. In fact, one of Jennie’s fans by the name of @jennierazzi_ on Instagram posted a photo of the food truck that the K-pop superstar sent to HoYeon Jung, a popular tradition among Korean celebrity friends, and fans alike when showing support to actors and crew on set.
She’s got a natural affinity for indie rock music
While K-pop continues to enjoy widespread popularity, Korean indie rock music is very much on the steady rise as well. Music artists like Hyukoh and The Black Skirts have not gone unnoticed in the streaming charts as they continue to have a cult following among the younger fans and Korean celebrities, including HoYeon Jung.
Last year, Jung posted an appreciation photo of her favorite band Jannabi, a five-piece band with cool retro aesthetics and known for their chart-topping song "Summer."
Moreover, Jung is no stranger to the music scene as she previously made a cameo in Lee Hyori’s “Going Crazy” music video in 2013, with another music video project the following year with K-pop boy band 100%, which will disband this October after nine successful years in the music industry.
Although Netflix hasn’t confirmed whether or not it will be renewing "Squid Game" for a season 2, fans are already excited and speculating that player 067 could still be alive.
With her unstoppable rise to international stardom, it won’t be a surprise to see HoYeon Jung reprising her fan-favorite character for a much-awaited comeback.
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