interview

Name:
Ji Eun Hyun

Agency:
Supreme Management (New York)
Also: YGKPLUS (Seoul)

Age:
20

Height:
180cm / 5’11”

Instagram:
@jieunib

Place of Origin:
Seoul, South Korea

Ethnic Origin:
I’m 100% Korean, but because I love spicy food, I would say I’m 200% Korean.

Birthsign:
I’m a Libra

How discovered:
I have been super tall ever since I was a child, so a lot of people told me to become a model. It made me curious and I started looking into it in depth.

What was your first modeling job?
My first job as a model was for an editorial shoot. It was a very small shoot, but I found it extremely fascinating.. I think about that shoot now and then, and I go, “Why in the world did I do such weird poses during that shoot?!” Somehow I thought models had to do weird poses for everything… but I am glad those weird poses made the cut :-)

Favorite things:
I’m such a homebody, but I enjoy going out when I’m in Korea. But now that I live and work outside of my home country, my homebody instincts have been crawling back. I mean when you’re broke in the city sometimes your tiny apartment has to become your playground!!! There are so many things to do when you’re home… You can watch TV shows on your laptop and fall into the vortex of pop culture…. I’m a huge fan of comedy shows! I have been re-watching a Korean comedy show called “High Kick”.

What are you listening to at the moment?
I am addicted to a K pop song called “Knock Knock” by Twice. I watch the song’s music video on YouTube every day, and my roommate always tells me to just stop already. At this point they should just invite me to become a member of the group.

Favorite movie, tv show:
I really like “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” so much, that I must have seen it more than four times already… IN THE THEATRE! I am obsessed with action, and animated films. My favorite TV show is “Infinite Challenge” (Korean), and of course “High Kick” from above.

Favorite designer, fragrance or beauty product:
My favorite perfumes are usually by Jo Malone. Funny enough I also really like Glow by JLo. I don’t really have a beauty product I am obsessed with at the moment… Lol. Sometimes I think I am more of a tomboy and wonder am I even a grown woman? Lol. ! If I find a product that suits me, I use that until I get tired of it. I use a lot of road-shop brands as well (similar to drug store brands)

What were you doing before modeling?
I was just an ordinary girl in middle school. I started modeling at a young age, so basically I was just a student before my modeling debut.

What would you be doing if you weren’t modeling?
If I weren’t modeling, I guess I would be a university student. It’s ironic that I think I would have probably just had the same simple goals and dreams of the husband with 2.5 kids and maybe being a schoolteacher… But that’s a whole different universe of regular that doesn’t really interest me right now.

What’s something uncool that you love anyway?
I love listening to Joe Hisaishi’s works. He’s a composer who creates music for Miyazaki Hayao’s films (he made My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Spirited Away). I blast his works when I drive, and my friends always ask me why I listen to music that does not even suit my image.

Favorite modeling experience so far?
I’m like Dori. I’m quite forgetful, but there is a moment that I will never forget. Recently I got to meet Donna Karan and had the wonderful opportunity to work and travel with her to Paris. It was amazing to meet this fashion icon. She is an amazing woman.

What’s the best thing about your hometown/country?
I love it when people I meet in New York or other cities tell me that Korean’s such a beautiful language, and that Korean food is really good! I feel so patriotic when I hear those things. Something I miss when I am away from home is “SamSo”, Samgyupsal (pork belly fat) and Soju. Those things are available in New York, but they are so expensive! Plus, I’m not of age in the United States, so I cannot drink :'( Like most people I really miss my friends and family.

Which brand would you really love to model for?
I would love to walk all the big shows! It is my dream to even be requested to a Victoria’s Secret casting. I still have room for growth, so I will have to work harder to achieve these dreams/goals of mine.

Place you would love to visit:
I prefer big vacation spots, rather than city ones. I would love to visit Miami, Guam, Greece, and more.

Currently you’re obsessed with/about:
Hi, my name is Ji Eun, and I am a Tabasco addict. I have been addicted to this very particular hot sauce ever since I was little, and I put hot sauce on every single thing I eat. This includes fried eggs and boiled eggs. Can I get a high-five?

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
It is such a great feeling when somebody takes time to listen to you when you are down. Having a loved one that takes the time to listen… it’s so comforting. That type of love and understanding makes your worries just fly away.