The next HoYeon Jung? Meet Jang Yoon-ju of Money Heist Korea: the model-turned-actress has starred in Aespa and Lee Hyori’s music videos and is friends with Red Velvet’s Joy and Irene Kim

Jul 4 , 2022

Jang Yoon-ju is a renowned fashion model. Photo: @yoonjujang/Instagram

The Korean version of Netflix’s Spanish crime series Money Heist features a powerful cast of veteran actors and newcomers. Its meteoric success is reminiscent of the streaming giant’s Korean thriller series Squid Game, which also brought us many new rising stars, as well as familiar faces.

Jang Yoon-ju is a famous model who’s transitioned into acting with her new role in Netflix’s Money Heist Korea. Photo: @yoonjujang/Instagram

Model Jang Yoon-ju, 41, a household name in the fashion scene, plays the role of Nairobi, a bold leader and a reliable member of the team. But could she be the next HoYeon Jung, who also transitioned from modelling to acting with her breakout Squid Game role, and will she get those same shiny endorsement deals like Jung did?

A relative newbie to the acting scene, Jang’s past experiences have mostly been in modelling, hosting, singing and songwriting, proving that she’s a natural creative. An all-around performer and a multifaceted artist, Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Era just might be Jang’s biggest acting break yet.

Here’s what we know about her so far …

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She’s a fashion guru

Jang Yoon-ju was a host for Korea’s Next Top Model. Photo: @yoonjujang/Instagram

Since stepping into the modelling world in 1997, Jang has built a successful career that spans nearly two decades. Per L’officiel Singapore, she’s travelled the world to model for luxury brands and posed alongside other big names, such as Kate Moss and Carla Bruni. She also hosted reality TV show Korea’s Next Top Model.

Jang has even co-authored books that detail her experiences (including industry secrets!) in modelling. In 2006, per Koreaboo, she and stylist Seo Eun-young launched Style Book, which sold over 100,000 copies within months of its release.

In 2011, per Chosun Ilbo, Jang and fellow models Kim Jae-wook, Ji Hyun-jung, Han Hye-jin and Song Kyung-ah released the book Top Model, giving out their personal tips on style, beauty and fashion.

She’s a 41-year-old mum

Jang Yoon-ju gave birth to her daughter in 2017. Photo: @yoonjujang/Instagram

Per Soompi, Jang tied the knot with her businessman beau in 2015. Their wedding garnered an Allure photo shoot for the nuptials in May of that year.

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They welcomed their first child two years later – a daughter. Jang shared the good news via her agency, saying, “With encouragement and love from many, I was able to give birth to a healthy baby. My husband and I will do our best to be great parents and foster a happy family.”

Jang is currently 41 years old and her husband is four years her junior.

Money Heist Korea is her first TV series

A still from Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area. Photo: Netflix.

Jang studied cinema at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, as did other top actors, such as Son Ye-jin, Jung Woo and Han Hye-jin. While she started out as a model, she has regularly hosted and taken part in reality TV shows, released music albums, and is now acting.

Jang’s first foray into acting for the big screen, however, began at age 35. “Since debuting as a model, I've received countless film offers. But I turned them all down because I thought I wasn't ready,” Jang told The Korea Times.

In 2015, she finally said yes to her first film project. Jang has only starred in two films since. Money Heist Korea – Joint Economic Era is yet another big leap for the star.

She’s been featured in the music videos of Aespa and Lee Hyori

Jang Yoon-ju starred in Aespa’s Black Mamba music video, where she got rave reviews for her goth queen look. Photo: @yoonjujang/Instagram

Owning the look of a gothic queen, Jang stole the show during her appearance in Aespa’s Black Mamba music video. She was also in Lee Hyori’s Bad Girls music video where she aced her look in a police officer’s uniform.

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She’s got famous friends

Jang Yoon-ju, Red Velvet’s Joy and Irene Kim starred on an episode of Ask Us Anything together. Photo: @yoonjujang/Instagram

Jang’s friendship with Red Velvet’s Joy and fellow model Irene Kim was revealed in an episode of Ask Us Anything. In particular, Joy spoke about how her sense of style changed after meeting the two models and shared how her closeness to Jang also encouraged her to express her true self more. Jang is truly an inspiration to her fans and peers!

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What's hot in Korea

She’s worked with Kate Moss and Carla Bruni as a model, hosted Korea’s Next Top Model, and even written a book with Kim Jae-wook, Ji Hyun-jung and Han Hye-jin
Her transition is comparable to Squid Game’s HoYeon Jung, who also moved from model to actress, but will Jang rake in brand deals as lucrative as Jung’s?