How Hoyeon Leveled Up from Runway Rebel to Hollywood Heavyweight – And Why It’s About to Change Everything!
Ever wonder what it’s like to leap from the catwalk to a monster-infested small town, armed with nothing but wit, a rifle, and the sheer force of your presence? That’s exactly the thrilling ride Hoyeon takes us on in Na Hong-jin’s wild ride of a film, Hope. This isn’t your average monster flick — it’s a whirlwind of high-octane action and bizarre charm, with Hoyeon pivoting between fierce and funny so seamlessly, it practically feels like watching a masterclass in badassery. And here’s the kicker: this role marks her big-screen debut, a transition that feels more like destiny than chance, especially after skyrocketing to fame through Squid Game. What’s truly captivating is how she navigates this new chapter with a mix of humility, humor, and a fresh perspective on success that’s as relatable as it is inspiring. So, if you’ve ever pondered how a former top model turned global sensation juggles monster hunts and career crossroads, stick around — there’s a lot to unpack. LEARN MORE
8 min readHoyeon steals the show in every single scene of Korean director Na Hong-jin’s consistently high-octane, often ludicrous monster movie Hope. About 45 minutes into the movie, the Korean actress appears as Sung-ae, a machine-gun-toting police rookie, drifting her car and aiming her rifle at the giant monster terrorizing her small village. At any moment, Hoyeon seamlessly switches gears between fierceness and humor, giving this action feature much-needed levity and heart. Her obvious devotion to her first film role is exactly what made her a star in the first place.
At 16, Hoyeon jumped headfirst into the modeling industry, popping up in Korea’s Next Top Model and on high-profile runways, walking for Marc Jacobs and Chanel, among others. On a recent video call, however, Hoyeon told Bazaar, “I had never been someone who was really interested in fashion to begin with.” The chance to act in a show like Squid Game offered her the opportunity to pursue work she was passionate about. Her turn as Kang Sae-byeok, a mysterious game contestant, propelled her to international stardom.
“Looking back, when I was offered the role in Hope, I was going through a phase where I felt a little bit of anxiety because when something like the success of Squid Game plays out in your life … you need time to be able to think through it, process it, and digest it,” she says. “When Hope presented itself, it felt like destiny.”
Hope, premiering in American theaters on September 9, chronicles the monster invasion of the small village of Hope Harbor near the Demilitarized Zone in South Korea. It primarily follows police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min), who tries to uncover what is killing people and animals near the town, with the help of Hoyeon’s Sung-ae and Zo In-sung’s self-willed Sung-ki. The movie, one of the most bizarre premieres at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, was met with largely positive (if not somewhat bewildered) reviews.
Harper’s Bazaar’s questionnaire series “First, Now, Next” dives into the past, present, and future of some of our favorite creatives, spotlighting the moments and people that have influenced them. We touched base with Hoyeon about her turn as a monster-killing deputy, her time on Squid Game, her dream director, and learning to go with the flow as she gets older.
Hoyeon on the set of Hope
What’s the first movie that cracked something open in you?
The Little Mermaid. When I was watching it, I cried a lot when she lost her voice.
What was the first job that made you take yourself seriously in acting or modeling?
I can’t remember exactly the first job. I’m such a future-oriented person that I have a hard time remembering a lot of the things in the beginning. As far as I remember, I had never been someone who was really interested in fashion to begin with. It was not something I knew much about or was particularly drawn to at the beginning; I started the job as a model wanting to earn money. I simply looked at it as a part-time job. And I’m the second of three daughters, so I am competitive to no end. When I went into auditions, the overall process of others making it and me not getting the job, or vice versa, made me really not want to lose out on these auditions. I wanted to get the job, and I wanted it to be mine. That’s what really drove me to take modeling seriously, and it has led me to where I am now. Obviously, I love fashion now. I learned so much more about it, but at least when I was first starting out, that wasn’t the case, and that’s what led me here.
Hoyeon as Sung-ae in Hope
When you first started in the film and television industry, who was your first friend?
The first person that comes to mind is director Hwang Dong-hyuk of Squid Game. We worked on building the character and developing it together. Through him, I was able to make my debut as an actor, and he’s still someone that I reach out to, actually, if I have things that I really want to talk about or discuss.
When you first signed on for Squid Game, were you prepared for the show’s success, and what do you think you really learned from it going forward as an actor?
I hadn’t imagined that level of success, ever. Looking back on when I was shooting Squid Game, it just strikes me how inexperienced I was back then and how much more I had to learn, to a point where sometimes it stirs feelings of embarrassment for me. But then there’s another side of me that’s so proud, because I was so innocent then. I was so pure—meaning that I wasn’t so much in my head when I was performing. It was all instinct, all about immersing myself in the moment.
As your first feature film role, what inspired you to first join Na Hong-jin’s Hope?
I wasn’t coming into it with a grand scheme or a grand approach, trying to decide which project I was going to make my big-screen debut in. It was actually quite simple: getting to work with someone like director Na Hong-jin, because I’ve always been a fan of his previous works. That was a huge draw, as was the fact that I’d be working with cinematographer Alex Hong. That’s what really drew me in. It’s a huge honor to work with names like Hwang Jung-min and Choi Seung. I was excited about what I would be able to learn from them and from this project.
Looking back, when I was offered the role in Hope, I was going through a phase where I felt a little bit of anxiety, because when something like the success of Squid Game plays out in your life, something that you had not expected to experience, I feel like something of that scale, whether it’s good or bad, you need time to be able to think through it, process it, and digest it. I was taking that time for myself and for the next project. I was looking for something where I wouldn’t be the one carrying the entire project. I wanted to work alongside veterans from whom I could really learn. I actually didn’t mind if the part was small. That was what I was focused on more. It wasn’t a grand approach, either. It was just a vague idea that I had. But with those vague ideas in place, when Hope presented itself, it felt like destiny.
How did you approach your character, Sung-ae? She is perhaps the most capable at fighting monsters and the funniest character in the movie.
The biggest story that this film wants to tell is in the irony that stems from different points of view. The irony or contradictions that arise from goodness or good intentions are something that we see among people all the time. At the core of it all, the director really wanted my character to be almost an expression of human goodness, goodwill, or good intention. I saw my character as an overt expression of the idea that even when driven by human goodness, it can lead to contradictions or irony. This character served that purpose. Also, an important element in this film is, of course, the comedy. The director approached this story, which could be quite complex if you look into it—it could be a heavy storyline—but he wanted to present it in a lighthearted way. The aliens, so to speak, the extraterrestrial beings, have their own ranks and classes. The director did not design them to be more noble than the humans. He designed the human beings to come off as very light, very unserious, chatty to no end. Trying to find the balance on this very fine line, almost a tightrope of really going back and forth between telling a heavy story in a very light way and also making sure that it doesn’t become too light, where you want to bring the light story a little bit of weight.
How did you define success at 16? How would you define it now?
When I was 16, I thought success was beating others—winning over them. Now I’m actually asking, do we have to succeed at all? But if I were to go a little bit more into the question, I feel like success, to me now, is being able to find your own happiness and your own rhythm and tempo of life. You find your own ways to be happy. And also, if you’re able to be with the people around you for as long as possible, to be able to protect the people in your life—that’s what success looks like. Your family and friends, being able to share your life with them for as long as possible.
What are you saying no to now? What are you saying yes to?
Honestly, these days I’m more about just going with the flow. I’m not really bent on saying yes or no to particular things. These days, when I experience something that would usually really upset me or make me really angry, I find myself saying to myself, “Let it be. Let it go.”
I don’t think I’m really seeking any dopamine rush or anything like that. Recently, I’ve just been really packed; my schedule has been full of promos and shoots. I started getting some time off yesterday. So today, after this interview, I’m meeting a friend to see a photography exhibition by Martin Parr. I’m more focused on directing myself to activities and ways of living that bring out the good hormones in my body. I’m going with the flow. I find myself just not so much focused on the grand scheme or grand cause of things.
If you could wear only one outfit for the rest of your life and had to pull it out of your closet right now, what would you reach for?
My favorite jeans and a white shirt.
If you could collaborate with anyone next, who would it be?
Christopher Nolan, like everyone else.
Do you have a favorite of his movies?
Memento is always the one, but Inception is too.
How has Hope changed you? How has it informed what movie roles you will take on as you go forward?
I’m not in this phase where I’m making great plans for my life right now, so I don’t think I’m bent on doing a particular role going forward. But I do think that I’m always drawn to things I haven’t done before. The characters that I’m drawn to, I’m drawn to them because they’re characters I’ve never played before.
With Hope, what I learned is that being on set with such veterans, such masters of their craft, I have learned so much from them—how professionals in each field work—that I feel like I can be on any production now and not be surprised. My experience on Hope has given me the inner strength and energy to meet any new challenges going forward.
Pur Luv Chicken Jerky Dog Treats,100% Real Chicken Breast, 16 Ounces | 3-ingredient jerky: whole-muscle chicken breast, 12g protein/treat; no dyes, fillers or artificial flavors
$14.09 (as of September 12, 2026 03:03 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food, 6.3 Pound Bag
$8.99 (as of September 12, 2026 03:03 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Dog Allergy Relief Chews - Anti-Itch Skin & Coat Supplement with Omega 3 | Itchy Skin Relief Treatment with Fish Oil - Itching & Paw Licking Support - Dry Skin & Hot Spots Treats - Made in USA, 180Ct
$18.71 (as of September 12, 2026 03:08 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Miracle Vet Medicated Dog Shampoo for Itchy Skin Relief - Antifungal for Dog Allergy Relief, Yeast Infection, Hot Spot & Dry Skin Anti-Itch Treatment Wash - Hydrocortisone 8 fl oz
$14.99 (as of September 12, 2026 03:08 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Post Comment