Hong Jin-kyung (, born December 23, 1977) is a South Korean entrepreneur, model, host, comedian and actress. She is a host of the Netflix dating show Single's Inferno and has been a cast member on several Korean variety shows such as Sister's Slam Dunk and Beat Coin.
Career
Hong Jin-kyung was born as the eldest of two children (one son and one daughter). In 1993, during her first year of high school, she made her debut in the entertainment industry by receiving the Best Pose Award at the 2nd SBS Supermodel Contest.
Although she began her career as a model, Hong gained significant recognition after appearing as a guest on a variety show, where she stood out as a witty and charismatic host. This led her to become more active as a show MC rather than continuing solely as a model. Her comedic talents propelled her to stardom, and as her popularity grew, she also found great success in the modeling industry.
In 2004, Hong founded a food company called "Hong Jin-kyung Co., Ltd." and launched a kimchi business. Over time, the product line expanded to include dumplings, japchae, galbi, gomguk, doenjang, gochujang, and various sauces. Her products have been sold on major Korean home shopping channels such as CJ, GS, Hyundai, and Home&Shopping. The company maintained the No. 1 spot in online kimchi sales for an extended period.
In 2021, Hong Jin-kyung launched a YouTube channel titled "Study King Jin Genius" (공부왕 찐천재). As of 2025, the channel has surpassed 1.7 million subscribers. It has become widely popular both domestically and internationally.
The channel features a diverse lineup of high-profile guests, including presidential candidates, K-pop superstars such as Blackpink, Aespa, as well as legendary Hallyu figures like Lee Young-ae of Dae Jang Geum (Jewel in the Palace) fame.
Since the 2010s, Hong has been recognized as a versatile entertainer, active across all areas of the entertainment industry. Her work spans modeling, comedy, TV hosting, radio DJing, acting, and even singing, as seen in her participation in the project girl groupUnnies.
Hong is also known for her philanthropic efforts. Since 2005, she has been supporting Yeomyung School, a shelter and educational facility for North Korean defectors. She has donated funds and supplies to a total of 12 organizations, including childcare centers, youth study rooms and shelters, UNICEF, and World Vision. Her efforts include vocational training sponsorships for orphans in South Korea and monthly donations to support 30 children and their communities across Asia.
In early 2012, she established a daycare center named "Rael Daycare" in Doba, Chad, Africa, named after her daughter Rael. In 2025, she launched a campaign with World Vision to help protect young girls in Africa from early and forced marriages.
Radio host Channel Title KBS 2FM Hong Jin-kyung's Gayo Plaza () KBS 2FM Hong Jin-kyung at 2 O'Clock () MBC FM4U Date at 2 O'Clock ()
Filmography Television shows Year Title Role Note(s)Ref. 2014 Magic Eye Guest Fashion King Korea 2015 Infinite Challenge Herself Ep. 416–417, 420–424, 446, 448–451, 540 Off to School Guest Non-Summit Ep. 59 My Little Television Webcast Host Ep. 5–6 Dignity of a Meal Guest Show Me Your Receipt 2016 Sister's Slam Dunk Cast Member 2016 Hope TV SBS Guest Ep. 309–310 2017 Sister's Slam Dunk 2 Cast Member Differentiated Class Change the Class 2018Ball Red My Friend's Blind Date 2019 Job Heaven: Good Job FunstaurantGuest 2020 Friday Joy Package Cast Member All the Butlers Guest Ep. 125 My First Social Life Cast Member Want to Be Hot Again: Aero Couple 2021 Love Affair Host Hong Jin-kyung's Glorious Devotee Life Love Affair 2 I Need a Woman's Romance Together with Korean Alphabet Cast Member Chucheok Special Vegetables District Host with Jung Jae-hyung Mama The Idol Comeback Summon Squad Single's InfernoHost 2022 School of Capitalism Daughter Thieves Things Are Suspicious These Days with Lee Kyung-kyu and Jeong Se-woon Routine King with Jang Sung-kyuSingle's Inferno 22022–2024 Beat Coin Cast Member 2023 Anbang Judge Lawyer Korean Food Tray Cast Member with Chef Lee Yeon-bok and Monsta X's Joohoney Tight Wallet Club Three-way House Single's Inferno 3Host 2024 A Fine Line: Psychomentary Cast Member Hong Judge vs. Judge Talkback Over-Immersed Life Season 2 Reasonable Architecture Liberal Arts vs. Science, Amazing Proof My Name is Gabriel 2025 All Grown Up, But Still Living at Home Single's Inferno 4Host2025–present ScrewballsCast Member2026Single's Inferno 5Host
Television series & film Year Title Role2016Hong Jinkyung Show: Was Will ()Writer & Main Lead 2013–2014 My Love from the Star Hong Hye-in / Hong Bok-ja 2016–2017 The Legend of the Blue Sea Homeless woman who can't give up fashion 2024 Queen of Tears Private Investigator
Commercials YearBrand/CompanyProduct/Campaign description1993Haitai ConfectioneryWoorittorae1994Micro TouchSharp mechanical pencil1995BenettonFashion campaign1995Crown ConfectioneryPizza Twister1995Lotte FoodsGgoshimang, Banabana, Matta Moa Spaghetti, Sugar-free Vegetable Mix1995Unicos CosmeticsPropose Unique Mascara1995Kolon PharmaceuticalsBicogreen1996Shinsung E&FI&BU (INBU) apparel campaign1996Lotte ChilsungRed Jujube beverage1996Shinsung DistributionPrivite1997Sam-A PharmaceuticalC-Pocket1998Korea Gas Safety CorporationGas safety campaign1999Ministry of Information and CommunicationMobile Phone Etiquette Campaign (with Yoo Jae-suk, Kang Ho-dong, Jung Sun-hee)1999Halla ConstructionVivaldi Apartments, Ilsan1999OttogiYul Ramen (Cup) (with Joo Young-hoon)2002RUJeansFashion campaign20081636Mobile service campaign2012Avent KoreaSong ReV baby care line2016KT (Korea Telecom)Call Manager app2016SesalivingHome living products2016AmorepacificInnisfree Orchid skincare line2017InnisfreeCosmetics campaign2017Samsung ElectronicsSamsung Pay2019DouzoneWEHAGO business platform2021–2022Megastudy EducationElly High () online learning2021KahiBeauty Balm2021Ahn-Guk PharmaceuticalsTobicom eye supplement2022SK TelecomAtozem allergy medicine2022Wadiz StoreOnline shopping platform2022HK Inno.NScalpmed hair care2024KolonCouronne (handbag & accessories)2025RadiwellHealth and wellness campaign
Discography Singles
As part of Unnies TitleYearPeak chart positionsSalesAlbumKOR
US World"Shut Up"(feat. You Hee-yeol)2016 3 —KOR: 724,088+ rowspan="2" "Right?" ()2017 2 10KOR: 953,036+"Lalala Song" () 48 22KOR: 96,638+"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
Original soundtrack TitleYearAlbum"Never"(with Kim Sook, Cho Sae-ho, Joo Woo-jae, and Jang Wooyoung, together as Unbalance)2023 Beat Coin OST"Flower Brain"(Joo Woo-jae feat. Kim Sook, Hong Jin-kyung, Cho Sae-ho, and Jang Wooyoung)2026 Screwballs OST
Ambassadorship YearOrganizationRole2007Little Jesus Society (Parvus Jesus Society)Honorary Ambassador2015Seoul Catholic Social Welfare Society2025Seoul Catholic Foreign Mission Society
Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Baeksang Arts Awards 2022 Best Female Variety Performer Hong Jin-kyung 2024 2025 2026 Brand of the Year Awards 2021 Female Entertainer Celebrity YouTuber KBS Entertainment Awards 2022 Best Teamwork Beat Coin Top Excellence in Show and Variety Category Beat Coin 2023 2025 Best Entertainer Award in Show and Variety Category Problem Child in House
References
External links