Style

Model and Actress Hoyeon on Her Next Big Show, Disclaimer

(Image credit: Heejune Kim; Styling: Philosophy top; Jiye Shin earring; stylist’s own hair clip; Louis Vuitton ring)

With the sound of cicadas performing their high-pitched rhythmic symphony on an especially humid summer morning in Seoul, Hoyeon arrives early at our October cover shoot fresh-faced and all smiles—despite having just endured a 13-hour flight from Los Angeles. The lower two-thirds of her naturally curly hair that were previously dyed cobalt blue are now a gorgeous cherry hue, perhaps as a nod to the bright-red locks that were once her signature. It’s an ambitious day ahead with over nine looks, four hair changes, and a video interview on the schedule, but the South Korean actress and model doesn’t even bat an eye or break a sweat. (Sweltering temps be damned.) Ever the professional, she’s up for the challenge and ready to put in the work. That tenacity, it turns out, is a through line in all of Hoyeon’s artistic pursuits.

Actress and model Hoyeon wears red Altuzarra jacket with black tie detailing, red Altuzarra boy-short bottoms and tights, Louis Vuitton headband and Maison Margiela shoes.

(Image credit: Heejune Kim; Styling: Altuzarra jacket, bottoms, and tights; Louis Vuitton headband; Maison Margiela shoes)

To be fair, Hoyeon is no stranger to an arduous shoot day. It’s par for the course for someone who has been working as a successful model for over 14 years. Hoyeon, who describes herself as an extrovert, turned to a career in front of the camera as a way to get outside of her home and start working. She started with a few classes, and by 16, she was already walking in shows during Seoul Fashion Week. In 2013, she competed on the fourth season of Korea’s Next Top Model, where she placed as the runner-up and was soon appearing in spreads for Korean Vogue, Elle, and W.

Model and actress Hoyeon wears a camel Carhartt jacket, sheer sequin asymmetrical Louis Vuitton skirt with sequin detailing, and Louis Vuitton booties.

(Image credit: Heejune Kim; Styling: Carhartt jacket; Louis Vuitton skirt and shoes)

Hoyeon’s parents, both restaurateurs, imagined different career paths for her. Her dad wanted her to be a pharmacist because it offered job security, while her mom thought she could be a TV news anchor. “When out of the blue I said ‘I am going to be a model,’ I don’t think they took me seriously,” she says with a chuckle. Once Hoyeon signed with The Society Management and moved to New York, her career took off.