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 Year Title Role Notes English Korean 2017 Midnight Runners 청년경 Lee Yoon-jung 2019 The Battle of Jangsari 장사리: 잊혀진 영웅들 Moon Jong-nyeo 2020 Unalterable 얼굴없는 보스 Shin Mi-young 2021 Hostage: Missing Celebrity 인질 Saet-byeol 2023 My Heart Puppy 멍뭉이 On-woo Cameo 2024 Escape 탈주 Wandering rifle girl
Television series Year Title Role Notes English Korean 2016 Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo 달의 연인 - 보보경심 려 Ae-ra Cameo Night Light 불야성 Son Ma-ri 2018 Let Me Introduce Her 그녀로 말할 것 같으면 Lee Hyun-soo 2021 Nevertheless 알고있지만 Yoon-sol 2022 Jinxed at First 징크스의 연인 Jo Jang-kyung 2025Good Boy굿보이Kim Yeon-ha / Drug Monster
Web series Year Title Role Notes English Korean 2018 Flower Ever After 이런 꽃 같은 엔딩 Han So-young 2023 Moving 무빙 Yang Se-eun Cameo Song of the Bandits도적: 칼의 소리Eon Nyeon-i 2025 As You Stood By 당신이 죽였다 detective Noh Jin-young Netflix
Music video appearances Year Title Artist Length 2012 Sorry I'm Sorry Kim Hyung-jun 4:23 Baby Good Night (おやすみ Good Night) B1A4 3:50 2013 You Don't Know Love () K.Will 4:28 Let's Talk About You () M.I.B 3:54 2014 Backhug () Lyn 2:03 Miss You ... Crying (보고 싶어...운다) 4:40 Missing () Teen Top 4:05 2015 Hey Jude Shin Ji-soo 3:48 Let's Not Fall In Love () Big Bang 3:48 Mayo () Shin Seung-hun 4:12 2016 I Am You, You Are Me () Zico 3:36 I Don't Love You () Urban Zakapa 4:16
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 Fashion Photographer's Night 2013 Rookie of the Year Award Lee Ho-jung Korea Best Dressed Swan Awards 2015 Female Model Talent Award 2021 Miz Model Korea Selection Contest Korea Drama Awards 2025 Scene Stealer Award Female Good Boy
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