South Korea is known worldwide due to its viral idol groups nowadays. Over the years, Korean skincare also made waves. These two are the most distinct features of the country, yet they also have the best models.
Most Korean models burst from Seoul Fashion Week. It is still one of the best venues to see them on the stage until today. Aside from strutting on the catwalk, some do advertising, magazine covers, and fashion shoots. Some even do acting and commercials.
The models’ success became notable, not only in their country. There are a few which made names in the international scene too. There is simply something about their features which makes them perfect on the stage.
To give more ideas about these hottest models, we listed some of the most favorites. Here is Korea’s most sought after beautiful ladies doing modeling.
1. Lee Sung Kyung
Before anyone heard about Kim Book Joo, there was the supermodel Lee Sung Kyung. She is one of the most famous models turned actresses these days.
Sung Kyung started with a local Super Model Contest in 2008. It was her first stint in the industry. Since then, she has actively participated in different stages with other equally famous people. She is known as the “Gigi Hadid” of South Korea.
She signed with YG Entertainment, the house of 2NE1, iKon, Big Bang, and other big names. Notably, Lee became an overnight sensation when she took an interest in acting besides modeling. Her debut was “It’s Okay, That’s Love.”
The company supported her, which created more acting projects. She was part of “Cheese in the Trap” and “The Doctors” before the “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo.”
2. Irene Kim
Irene Kim is an American-Korean model. Most of her life was spent abroad before her parents decided to go back home to South Korea when she was in middle school. She continued her interest in fashion and later took up Textile designing in New york’s Fashion Institute of Technology.
Kim is known for her social media alias, Ireneisgood. She started it further than 2013. Although, this year made her a more popular model known internationally. It all started with her “Unicorn Hairs.”
Out of boredom, Irene brought the rainbow in the catwalk. People fell in love with her more. From it, she landed on different projects. These were in collaboration with Mulberry, MaxMara, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Charles & Keith, and more.
She was later appointed as Estée Lauder’s Global Beauty Contributor in 2015. Her beauty also made waves in W Korea, Cosmopolitan Korea, Grazia Magazine China, and Elle Thailand.
Irene’s success did not end because she was cast in several television shows. Her moniker became a fashion brand too.
3. Jang Yoon Ju
At the age of 35, Jang Yoon Ju is still a household name in South Korea. She began her modeling projects when she was 17 and landed several local and international stages. Almost all of them have collaborated with luxury brands.
Modeling is the debut of Jang, yet her first love was always acting. Her latest project is the “Three Sisters.” This one is her comeback series after being on hiatus for six years when she got married.
Joon Ju’s acting career is excellent, yet her two decades of modeling is what makes her one of the most still in-demand today. Her memorable experiences were hosting Korea’s Next Top Model and modeling for global brands. Highly acclaimed photographers even photographed her.
4. Choi Sora
Choi Sora is another of South Korea’s top supermodels. With 412 runaways in her belt, she is easily a celebrity. She also won Korea’s Next Top Model Season 3. This one only added 25 magazine covers to her portfolio.
Sora’s debut was in 2012 after she was signed in the street by a Seoul modeling agency. She continued to work until she broke out in the worldwide scene in May 2014 with Louis Vuitton’s show in Monaco.
The model was the first Asian model to hit the runway for Calvin Klein. She also did not stop as she further walked for Gucci, Miu Miu, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Dior, Proenza Schouler, Loewe, Michael Kors, Paco Rabanne, and more.
Because of her success over the years, Choi was chosen as the Year’s Readers’ Choice Model. Her name never left models.com’s list of Top 50 models since 2017.
5. Park Soo Joo
Korean models are in-demand because of their porcelain-like skin combined with killer combo bone structure. Their looks were also bonus points when they walked on the runway. Soo Joo Park almost has everything there is.
Park is L’Oreal’s first-ever Asian-American model. This one is only a number of her most successful projects. As of the moment, she already walked on 200 shows with 50 magazine covers.
For most talents, many Koreans were scouted in the country. It is different for Soo Jo. She was found by an agent in San Francisco when she was shopping. Her family moved to the area when she was ten years old.
Park Soo Jo went back to her roots after deciding to become a supermodel. There she made a name locally and globally, cementing her fame.
6. Yoon Young Bae
Who would believe that Yoon Young Bae is only 22 years old? This girl is known everywhere after being on the stage for 247 times now. She only started last 2016, yet she has posed for Vogue three times already.
Young Bae is born and raised in Daegu, South Korea. She is currently with YGKPlus as her company. With it, she was given more venues to showcase her talent. She is going around the world to strut in different stages today.
The young girl has collaborated with a few luxury brands since then. She has worked with Zara, Chanel, Fenty x Puma, Céline, Tory Burch, Valentino, Paco Rabanne, Marni, Versace, Moschino, Fendi, Christopher Kane, Burberry, J.W. Anderson, Coach New York, Michael Kors, Prabal Gurung, Altuzarra, Victoria Beckham, Tommy Hilfiger, and more.
Her latest success was being included in models.com as part of its “Top 50”.
