Lee Ho-jung (actress)

Lee Ho-jung (Korean이호정; born 20 January 1997) is a South Korean actress and model.[2] She is best known for her roles in dramas Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Nevertheless, Let Me Introduce Her and Night Light.[3] She also appeared in movies such as Hostage: Missing Celebrity, Midnight Runners and The Battle of Jangsari.[4][5][6][7]

Lee Ho-jung
Lee in 2021
Born
Lee Ho-jung

(1997-01-20) 20 January 1997 (age 27)
Other namesHolly
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
Years active2012–present
Agents
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Korean name
Hangul
이호정
Hanja
Revised RomanizationI Hojeong
McCune–ReischauerYi Hojŏng

Life and career

1997–2015: Early life and career beginnings

Lee for Marie Claire Korea in October 2014

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.[8] Growing up, Lee had an interest for sports which included swimming and was often known for her athletic abilities in school.[9][10] In middle school, Lee was considered short with a height of 153 cm.[8] 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.[11] In ninth grade she faced a sudden growth spurt and grew 15 cm and ultimately reached 170 cm during high school.[8] The recent turn of events prompted her friends to suggest a career in modelling, which Lee considered.[8] 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.[10][8] Lee subsequently began to collect information on the career through a variety of magazines.[8] After confirming an individual her age can become a model, she enrolled into a modelling academy afflicted with ESteem Models during the summer of 2011 and began her training.[8]

15-year-old Lee debuted in the modelling industry under ESteem Models through a magazine pictorial for Ceci.[12] 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.[11] In May 2015, Lee signed a contract with YG KPlus.[13]

2016–present: Acting and rising popularity

Lee for Marie Claire Korea in September 2019

Since her debut, Lee received many offers to appear as an actress.[14] 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.[9] 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.[11]

Personal life

Lee completed her secondary studies at Hanlim Multi Art School majoring in the Fashion Model department in 2013.[12]

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.[11]

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.[10] In the field of acting, Lee cites veteran actress Chun Woo-hee as a role model.[15]

Other ventures

Philanthropy

Lee alongside her mother participated in a donation campaign organized by Nylon Korea for single mothers in South Korea.[16] 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.[16]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
EnglishKorean
2017Midnight Runners청년경Lee Yoon-jung[17]
2019The Battle of Jangsari장사리: 잊혀진 영웅들Moon Jong-nyeo[18]
2020Unalterable얼굴없는 보스Shin Mi-young[19]
2021Hostage: Missing Celebrity인질Saet-byeol[20][21]
2023My Heart Puppy멍뭉이On-wooCameo[22]

Television series

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
EnglishKorean
2016Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo달의 연인 - 보보경심 려Ae-raCameo (Episode 1)[23]
Night Light불야성Son Ma-ri[24]
2018Let Me Introduce Her그녀로 말할 것 같으면Lee Hyun-soo[25]
2021Nevertheless알고있지만Yoon-sol[26]
2022Jinxed at First징크스의 연인Jo Jang-kyung[27]

Web series

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
EnglishKorean
2018Flower Ever After이런 꽃 같은 엔딩Han So-young[28][29]
2023Moving무빙Yang Se-eunCameo[30]
Song of the Bandits도적: 칼의 소리Eon Nyeon-i[31]

Music video appearances

YearTitleArtistLengthRef.
2012Sorry I'm SorryKim Hyung-jun4:23[32]
Baby Good Night (おやすみ Good Night) (JPN version)B1A43:50[32]
2013You Don't Know Love (촌스럽게 왜 이래)K.Will4:28[33]
Let's Talk About You (너부터 잘 해) (featuring Bomi of Apink)M.I.B3:54
2014Backhug (뒤에서 안아줘)Lyn2:03[34]
Miss You ... Crying (보고 싶어...운다)4:40[34]
Missing (쉽지않아)Teen Top4:05[35]
2015Hey JudeShin Ji-soo3:48[36]
Let's Not Fall In Love (우리 사랑하지 말아요)Big Bang3:48[37]
Mayo (마요) (featuring Beenzino)Shin Seung-hun4:12[38]
2016I Am You, You Are Me (너는 나 나는 너)Zico3:36[39]
I Don't Love You (널 사랑하지 않아)Urban Zakapa4:16[40]

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremonyYearCategoryNominee / WorkResultRef.
Fashion Photographer's Night2013Rookie of the Year AwardLee Ho-jungWon[41]
Korea Best Dressed Swan Awards2015Female ModelWon[42]
Talent Award2021Miz Model Korea Selection ContestWon[43]

References

External links