Rookie models to watch for at 2016 F/W Seoul Fashion Week

This is the second of a two-part series on rising young fashion models. ― ED.

By Kim Jae-heun

Jung Hyuk, a new street fashion icon

Jung Hyuk

Jung Hyuk does not define himself as a good-looking model, but he is one with distinctive individuality.

The start of his modeling career was rough for Jung, 26, who is only 185 centimeters tall ― below average for runway models.

Jung was working as a visual merchandiser (VMD) at Uniqlo in Wangsimni, Seoul, but became dissatisfied after two years. His friends recommended that he try modeling, and he applied for a course at Esteem Model Agency.

“My original dream was to become a model, but I was too fat. I weighed up to 82 kilograms but I fasted to lose nearly 20 kilogram,” Jung told The Korea Times. “I did not know how to work out, so I ate only one banana a day. I lost eight kilograms in one month and it felt like I was crawling on the ground all day.”

Jung worked at the store in the morning and practiced posing and walking at the academy in the evening. He knew he had to try extra hard because he entered modeling late. The fashion industry prefers a younger face if a model does not have any unique strength.

Jung knew he could not compete with younger models, so he decided to take advantage of his cute-but-cheeky face. His plan hit the mark, and he has featured in almost every women’s magazine, including Vogue Girl, Cosmopolitan, Dazed and Ceci. His image did not attract the editors of men’s magazines such as GQ or Arena, which favor more masculine models.

“I think there are many male models better suited to men’s magazines than me,” Jung said. “My face has rather an androgynous appeal, so I do more high-end fashion. Anybody can look wonderful and stylish in normal photos ― I want to try unique scenes and be the best at it.”

Unlike many models hoping to grace the top European fashion stages, Jung wants to enter Tokyo first ― and his favorite brand is Gosha Rubchinskiy from Russia.

“I still feel embarrassed when people tell me I look cool,” Jung said. “I want to be recognized as myself rather than for resembling somebody. It would be my ultimate goal to become an irreplaceable model.”

Youngest rising male star, Park Min-hyuk

Park Min-hyuk / Courtesy of Climix Model Company

Park Min-hyuk, 16, is a rising star in Korea’s fashion industry.

Park stands nearly 190 centimeters tall and is good looking, but these cannot be the only strengths for a fashion model ― his real advantage is, after all, his youth.

“I look different when I put my hair up or down,” Park told The Korea Times. “I look manly when my hair is up, but I look cute with my hair down. Magazine editors also tell me that I look cute in the photos and that I am photogenic.”

Park started modeling for the same reason as any other Korean model ― he is tall, and people around him suggested he become a fashion model.

In 2013, he auditioned for S.M. Entertainment but failed. A year later he tried with DCM modeling agency, which referred him to his current management, Climix Model Company.

The young model completed a three-month modeling academy program and was one of only four out of 31 to pass the final audition and sign a contract with the agency.

It has only been a year since he started shooting photos for magazines and walking runways, but his future is promising. He participated in five catwalks at the last Seoul Fashion Week including the shows of renowned designers Jang Gwang-hyo and Kwak Hyun-joo.

Park has also modeled for GQ, Arena and L’Officiel Hommes.

His ultimate goal is to become a rapper like Beenzino.

“I used to be an introvert and a shy person, but became more forthcoming after listening to the rapper’s music ‘Boogie On & On.’ I have listened to all of his songs since then,” Park said.

“Within a year, I want to enter European Fashion Week and work overseas until I graduate from high school. Then, I will fulfill my military duty and become a rapper.”