[INTERVIEW] Korean-Nigerian model gains spotlight

A Korean-Nigerian fashion model Bae Yu-jin poses ahead of an interview with The Korea Times in Jung-gu, Seoul, Monday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

By Kim Jae-heun

It has only been a year since the very first Korean-Nigerian fashion model Han Hyun-min, 17, appeared on the local scene.

He became a sensation both in and outside the country.

Time magazine picked Han as one of the "The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2017."

Han's unprecedented success gave hope to many multicultural families here.

A 16-year-old high school student Bae Yu-jin is one of them.

She grew up in the same neighborhood as Han did, Itaewon ― a popular area for residents of expats and U.S. military personnel in Seoul.

A Korean-Nigerian fashion model Bae Yu-jin poses ahead of an interview with The Korea Times in Jung-gu, Seoul, Monday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

"We grew up together since we were one or two years old. Our mothers knew each other. I never expected Han to become this popular back then," Bae said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.

"After finding Han in the newspapers, my mother also suggested that I become a fashion model."

Standing at 176 centimeters tall, Bae has dreamed of becoming a fashion model.

But Bae's mother also suggested other career options given that it could be difficult to make it in Korea as a model, because of her biracial background.

"She used to tell me it would difficult to work as a fashion model in Korea with an appearance like mine. So she said I should become a flight attendant instead and travel around the world," Bae said.

Like Han, Bae is born to a Nigerian father and Korean mother.

She holds a Korean passport and her mother-tongue is Korean.

"I did not realize I was different until I started middle school. Senior students there would tease me about my skin color, and that hurt. I cried everyday and told my mom about it," Bae said.

"She would comfort me, but she raised me to be strong. She said nothing will change if I only cry. She would encourage me by saying being different can be better."

Bae now gets along well with her friends, and she forgets that she is half Nigerian sometimes.

"I am Korean. I speak Korean, and my favorite food is Kimchi stew. There are always minorities, not only in Korea but everywhere in the world. We all become objects of ridicule. It's all the same," Bae said.

Bae debuted at Seoul Fashion Week eight months ago after signing a contract with SHS Model Management.

In her first season, she walked and posed for 10 shows, the second most among female models at her modeling agency.

"This is just the beginning. Before, I did not think I could achieve my dream as a fashion model. But now I think I have a chance. One day I wish I can walk the runways in France," Bae said.

"However, I will not use an English name there. Just like how I am unique here with people thinking I came from abroad, my Korean name will make me unique there too."

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