Jung Ho-yeon and Park Ji-hyun Selected for TIME's 100 Rising Figures in the US

Hwang Dong-hyuk "Jung Ho-yeon Has the Skills and Courage for Battle"
Time "Park Ji-hyun Is One of the Most Notable Politicians"

Model and actress Jung Ho-yeon and former Democratic Party Emergency Committee Chair Park Ji-hyun have been selected for the American news magazine TIME's 'TIME 100 NEXT' list of rising figures.

In the list released by TIME on the 28th (local time), Jung Ho-yeon was named in the 'phenoms' category, recognizing newcomers who have created a sensation in their field. TIME introduced her by quoting director Hwang Dong-hyuk of the Netflix series Squid Game. Director Hwang said, "I think Jung Ho-yeon fights daily against her fame, expectations, jealousy, and desire for success," adding, "We often jokingly call her a 'warrior'." He continued, "There is no doubt that she has the skills and courage to fight many battles," and "I hope her acting becomes a refuge rather than a battlefield."

Jung Ho-yeon, who has worked as a model on domestic and international stages, played the role of North Korean defector Kang Sae-byeok in Squid Game, sweeping major American award ceremonies last year. She won the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor and the Critics' Choice Super Awards for Best Actress in an Action Series, and was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, one of the highest honors in American broadcasting. Riding the wave of global attention, she signed an exclusive contract with the major American talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which represents director Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks, accelerating her overseas activities.

Former Co-Chair of the Democratic Party Emergency Committee Park Ji-hyun is being interviewed by Asia Economy on the 20th. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Former Chair Park Ji-hyun was selected in the 'Leader' category. TIME introduced her by stating, "She exposed the notorious sexual exploitation structure 'Nth Room' on Telegram and, after keeping her identity hidden, appeared publicly ahead of the presidential election to boost support for the Democratic Party." It added, "She was appointed as the interim co-leader of the Democratic Party in March." TIME further noted, "Although her tenure as Emergency Committee Chair was short after resigning in June following an election defeat, her rapid rise in recognition made her one of the most prominent politicians in South Korea."