Jung Ho Yeon, the model-turned-actress has seen her Instagram follower count rise thirtyfold, going from just over 400,000 (before the show’s release) to 12.6 million in the span of just two weeks.

Jung Ho Yeon has now overtaken Song Hye Kyo, who currently has just over 12 million followers, to become the second most-followed Korean actress on the platform. She may also be on track to catch up to Lee Sung Kyung, who holds the title of most-followed Korean actress with over 12.9 million followers, according to Soompi.

Jung Ho Yeon replaces Song Hye Kyo as Korean actress with the second-highest number of followers on Instagram. (Photo: Soompi)

Who is Jung Ho Yeon?

Jung Ho Yeon stars Kang Sae-byeok (or #67), a North Korean defector who became a young pickpocket before finding her way to the games. Hard as nails and (wisely) not given to trusting her fellow contestants, she knows how to take care of herself and from the outset, it was clear she would go far.

Jung Ho Yeon is an accomplished model who appeared in magazines and on TV in Korea’s Next Top Model, but Squid Game is her first dramatic screen role. No doubt the first of many, according to South China Morning Post.

Jung Ho Yeon in Squid Game (Photo: Aws For WP)

From famous model to viral screen role

Ho Yeon started her modeling career at the age of 16. At that time, she did not sign with any agency but was active as a freelance model. Thanks to her outstanding Asian facial features and ideal height, HoYeon Jung quickly had the chance to appear in many shows at Seoul Fashion Week for 2 consecutive years. In 2014, the 1994-born model excellently became the Runner up of Korea’s Next Top Model cycle 4. Following her participation in the Top Model franchise, Jung Ho Yeon could blow up even more. She was even praised by Vogue magazine for having the gifted body and talent to become Korea’s top female model.

Stepping out of the competition, Jung officially joined Esteem Models – the largest modeling agency in Korea. The 27-year-old model has impressive media coverage. She has appeared in many influential fashion publications such as Vogue Girl Korea, First Look, Nylon Korea, or ELLE Wedding. Her achievements can even make her seniors in the industry jealous. Jung has also achieved great success in the international fashion market. She continuously gets booked to appear on the runway of luxury fashion brands. She is listed among the top 50 models voted by models.com.

2021 is an important milestone in Jung's career as she had her first acting role in Squid Game. Although it is her first time acting in a drama, HoYeon Jung has excellently portrayed the character who is cold on the outside but a deep personality on the inside. After finishing Squid Game, a large number of viewers give her many compliments and even claim that she deserves to be alive more than the male lead, according to Kbizoom.

Jung Ho Yeon on runway (Photo: Elle)

Jung Ho Yeon's personal life

Regarding her personal life, the 27-year-old actress and model also make fans jealous with her dreamy 5-year relationship with Lee Dong Hwi – the male actor who appeared in Reply 1988. She is 9 years younger than her boyfriend, but the two are happily dating and become another celebrity couple in Korea that is supported by fans.

Jung is also a close friend of BlackPink's Jennie. With Jung first appearing on Jennie's Instagram in 2019. They're spotted on each other's social media accounts quite regularly, whether it's to express support for a professional project or to commemorate their friendship.

Jung Ho Yeon (Photo: Soompi)

Unexpected growth in Instagram followers

From having around 400,000 Instagram followers before Squid Gamestarted airing on Netflix, Jung Ho Yeon now has over 7 million followers and counting. Her social media feed offers a glimpse into her daily life and career, from pictures of her latest modeling campaigns to a peek behind the scenes of her projects, according to Buro 247.

In an interview with Herald POP on Oct. 1, Jung said she was “very surprised” by the growing numbers, said CNA Lifestyle.

“When I opened the app once, the number went up, and when I opened it again, it went up further. I thought that the love for Squid Game was being reflected in numbers, like fate, and I was thankful. Just the fact that so many people around the world are showing their interest puts me in a good mood.”

A couple of Jung’s co-stars have also just joined the platform, namely, Lee Jung-jae and Park Hae-soo, who play Seong Gi-hun (#456) and Cho Sang-woo (#218) in the show, respectively. Lee garnered around 1.3 million followers while Park scored more than 750,000 – in just a day.

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