HoYeon Jung has become the Internet's newest "It Girl" after her breakout role in Netlix's hit series Squid Game.
The 27-year-old model and actress plays Sae-byeok, or player number 067, who joins the deadly game for the promise of a huge cash prize.
HoYeon's performance resonated with people all over the world, catapulting her into superstardom. It's an impressive feat, considering this is her first ever acting gig.
Scroll down to learn about HoYeon Jung's story.
HoYeon started modeling at a young age. In 2013, she joined Korea's Next Top Model and became a runner-up in the show.
She gained popularity after her stint in the reality series and started doing major fashion campaigns in Korea. In 2016, she made her runway debut sporting fiery red hair, which soon became her signature look.
Jung started booking more modeling work and even walked for several big-name fashion brands including Versace, Fendi and Marc Jacobs.
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Not only is Squid Game her first acting job, it was also her first audition.
According to director Hwang Dong Hyuk, he instantly knew HoYeon would be perfect for the role the minute he saw her audition tape.
“It was almost like a gift sent by God. Ho-yeon looked exactly like the Sae-byeok I had been looking for,” he said in a YouTube video.
The show became a huge hit worldwide and is now the most watched Netflix series to date. It reached number one in 90 countries, including the US and the UK.
Thanks to the show's huge success, Jung was catapulted to fame. The model went from having around 400,000 followers on Instagram to over 21 million.
Aside from her developing acting career, she also landed a major campaign and has been named a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton.
According to Sportskeeda, the model now has an estimated net worth of around $4 million and it's expected to continue growing, as her career is skyrocketing.
Despite her massive success, HoYeon remains to be pretty grounded, while also being grateful for her wild rise to fame.
In an interview with Marie Claire Korea, she expressed how she has been dealing with the unexpected global attention.
"It was only a month after the release of Squid Game that I was able to accept the current situation - that it was indeed gaining global recognition."
"I know that my life will continue to change, but I hope to live continuously as Jung Ho Yeon."
