South Korean model and TV personality Jang Yoon-ju and Korea’s Next Top Model winner Shin Hyun-ji discuss the dire situation of the modelling industry in South Korea. They highlighted the issues killing the modelling industry in South Korea, and in turn, making it difficult to enter the Korean modelling scene in the country. Both models also implied that there is no market and classic career for the new entrants into the profession of modelling. The South Korean modelling industry is so dead, and the reasons will shock you, indeed.
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The podcast is an eye-opener for the upcoming models, but it exaggerates at some points, so we will try to have a neutral point of view, highlighting all the possible aspects of the upcoming situation in the Korean modelling industry. In a Nat Pann post, the original poster shared several screenshots from the podcast showing the crucial points between Jang Yoon-ju and Shin Hyun-ji from the suspension of Korea’s Next Top Model, the rise of influencers, the decline of magazine business, the perception of high fashion, and more.
Why was Korea’s Next Top Model Suspended?
The Korea’s Next Top Model aired on the Korean TV network OnStyle from 2010 and concluded with the final season in November 2014. Last season broadcast with an entry of male contestants, and Hwang Ki Bbeum won the KNTM title, competing with male and female counterparts. There was no press release, and the reasons highlighted by the production team before the cancellation of Korea’s Next Top Model.
Korea’s Next Top Model was just IT! Fashion was the main point and the show was so ahead of its time and so professional. Forever sad that it was also canceled.
byu/Heidi_Klum_Tit inANTM
Many believe that KNTM stopped due to exhaustion of innovative ideas in the minds of the creative team, no buzz around the next season, dwindling viewership, and declining television ratings, etc. During the interview, Korea’s Next Top Model winner Shin Hyun-ji shared that the suspension of KNTM virtually decreased the opportunities for new Korean models entering the scene, hence making it difficult to carve a career out of modelling in the present Korean media industry environment.
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Influencers are the New Models
Influencers are gaining prominence in various industries, including the modelling industry, more than ever. Many social media artists, fashion vloggers, and content creators have turned their fortunes into the Korean modelling industry, walking for global brands and promoting popular ones. Though this shift has opened many opportunities for Korean citizens aspire to be models, at the same time subsumed classic modelling careers in the country. With more and more influencers taking on the roles of models, traditional models are experiencing difficulty in finding modelling jobs in South Korea.
Jang Yoon-ju rightly observed the struggle for peers entering the Korean modelling industry as a result of bankrupt magazine businesses, narrowed job opportunities, difficulty in entering the market, and less recognition. Whereas influencers turned models are making more fame and money, notable names include Irene Kim, Han Hyun-min, Lee Ho-Jung, and many more.
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Decline of Businesses
The most affected business in the modelling industry, as highlighted by Jang Yoon-ju and Shin Hyun-ji, is the magazine companies. Many magazine firms have been shut down in the country because of reduced demand and a declining audience base. This is due to the penetration of digital media, with influencers and content creators at the helm of the change. Monthly magazine SAMTOH is one of the well-known names that announced an indefinite hiatus in 2025.
While some businesses are not able to employ, other businesses don’t want to employ, making the new entrants’ position miserable in the market. Brands are eagerly behind influencers with existing high reach and a loyal audience base, which classic models generally lack. Due to this reason, Jang Yoon-ju believes the modelling career is dead in South Korea, and revival is far from reality now.
High Fashion is not for all
People are moving away from high fashion and choosing comfortable, practical clothing, which eventually led to a decline in demand for models promoting high fashion clothes by the brand houses. Jang Yoon-ju shared her experience of shifting to comfortable clothing and moving away from expensive designer clothes. In her opinion, the rich, who are the potential customers for high fashion, are moving towards more comfortable and normal clothing, which eventually has an impact on the business of the brand houses, and if there’s no business or less business, companies do not want employees, and those employees, in this case, are Korean models, sadly.
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Is there a hope for Korean Models?
Korean models are not like 9-to-5 workers in a corporate setup or other creative professionals. Korean models undergo rigorous training, have strict diets, maintained body, and discipline before getting a single opportunity, and even after that, fame is not guaranteed nor the pay. Therefore, Korean models must switch from the classic way and compete in the market with content creators and influencers.
- Korean models must focus on building an audience base or followers on different social media platforms, preferably on Instagram, to get noticed and come out of the classic Korean model market, which is in twilight now.
- Get on the content creation journey with storytelling skills and influence people on the topics of your interest. There is much room for niches like fitness, hair care, makeup, and more.
- Through your social media handles, climb the ladder of success in the Korean modelling industry. Do brand integrations, promotions, and modelling for well-known brands and online magazines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is best for modelling career?
According to many sources, Italy is considered a great place for a modelling career. However, it does not guarantee lucrative placement opportunities. Models can try Germany instead for modelling jobs.
How tall are models in Korea?
According to the accepted height standard by the Korean agencies, the female Korean models are generally in the range of 169 to 175 cm in height. Models who look incredibly beautiful and have a well-maintained body may be accepted at 166-168 cm in height.
How high are Korean beauty standards?
South Korean beauty standards are quite high since the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has placed South Korea in the top ten countries with the highest rate of cosmetic plastic surgeries, reflecting the importance of beauty and looks in the country.
