Lee Ho-jung (actress)

Lee Ho-jung (; born 20 January 1997) is a South Korean model and actress. She is best known for her roles in the television series ''Song of the Bandits'' (2023) and '' Good Boy'' (2025), as well as the films ''Midnight Runners'' (2017) and ''The Battle of Jangsari'' (2019).

Early life and education

Lee Ho-jung was born on January 20, 1997, in South Korea. As a child she dreamt of pursuing a career as a flight attendant. Growing up, Lee had an interest for sports which included swimming and was often known for her athletic abilities in school. In middle school, Lee was considered short with a height of 153 cm. Despite this, in eighth grade while watching ''Korea's Next Top Model'', Lee believed she could someday become a fashion model, citing she could pose and express the designs of the products well despite her height not fitting the requirements of a runway model who averaged at 176 cm. In ninth grade she faced a sudden growth spurt and grew 15 cm and ultimately reached 170 cm during high school. The recent turn of events prompted her friends to suggest a career in modeling, which Lee considered. Lee's resolve further strengthened upon seeing veteran model Jang Yoon-ju appear on ''Infinite Challenge'' and Jin Jung-sun on the second installment of ''Korea's Next Top Model'' who won the series as a teenager. Lee subsequently began to collect information on the career through a variety of magazines.

Lee completed her secondary studies at Hanlim Multi Art School majoring in the Fashion Model department in 2013.

Career

2011–2015: Beginnings in modeling

In the summer of 2011, she enrolled into a modeling academy affiliated with ESteem Models during the summer of 2011 and began her training. 15-year-old Lee debuted in the modeling industry under ESteem Models through a magazine pictorial for Ceci. The opportunity arose when a fashion magazine editor recommended her to a veteran female model for its pictorial. Hong Jang-hyun, a well established photographer was skeptical on casting a young anonymous model until she started shooting photos of her. Since then, she has walked on designers' catwalks including Ko Tae-yong's Beyond Closet and Hong Hye-jin's The Studio K at Seoul Fashion Week. In May 2015, Lee signed a contract with YG KPlus.

2016–present: Venture into acting and rising popularity

Since her debut, Lee received many offers to appear as an actress. Loving her profession as a model, she denied to take acting lessons suggested by her company as she resented to rehearse and often skipped class. However, three to four years into her career, Lee began to slightly feel tired of the repetitive tasks that often came with the job. After watching the film ''Magic in the Moonlight'' by Woody Allen, Lee's mindset took a drastic turn and wanted to live as a character in the film. In result, she gained an interest in acting.

In January 2025, Lee became a free agent after her then-agency YG Entertainment decided to end its actor management business. In May of the same year, she signed a new management contract with Management LEDO, the actor management label of modelling agency Gost Corporation.

Artistry

Fashion

Her interest in fashion often extended to a hobby of reforming designs of clothing personally owned by her to her own style and taste. She would then sell them at second-hand clothing stores and use the income to purchase new clothes.

Influences

Lee cited Kate Moss as a role model among models overseas due to their same height which she claims as "short" within the world of modelling. In the field of acting, Lee cites veteran actress Chun Woo-hee as a role model.

Other ventures

Philanthropy

Lee alongside her mother participated in a donation campaign organized by ''Nylon'' Korea for single mothers in South Korea. The campaign pictorial included 10 pairs of celebrities and influencers which was published in the November issue of the magazine. Lee donated her entire modelling fee towards the campaign while funds were also raised by selling bags produced by the participants. Portion of the profits were donated to the Eastern Social Welfare Society.

Filmography

Film

Television series

Web series

Music video appearances

Awards and nominations

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Ho-jung
1997 births
Living people
21st-century South Korean actresses
South Korean television actresses
South Korean film actresses
South Korean web series actresses
Hanlim Multi Art School alumni