‘Squid Game’ HoYeon Jung Pays Homage to Korea With SAG Awards Hairstyle
Squid Game’s HoYeon Jung wins her first Screen Actors Guild Award in the category, Female Actor in a Drama Series. The model turned actor has had a whirlwind career as Squid Game became her first acting role. Jung paid homage to her heritage as the Korean drama, and its leading cast put Korean culture on a global pedestal. Jung’s hairstyle and dress for the award show were designed to pay respect to South Korea.
HoYeon Jung dazzled at the SAG Awards in a embroidered black dress
For her first SAG Awards, Jung knew how to play the part to look like perfection on the red carpet. The model and actor wore a thin-strapped black dress with detailed silver embellishments and embroidery. While on the carpet, presenting or accepting her first SAG Award, Jung’s dress sparkled and caught everyone’s eye.
As a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton, the luxury brand custom-made Jung’s gown. Jung and her team finished the look with natural and minimal makeup, silver accessories, and strappy black heels. Beyond the dress, Jung included a personal accessory and detail that paid homage to her Korean heritage and the country.
‘Squid Game’ HoYeon Jung wore a custom ‘daenggi’
At first look, Jung’s hairstyle would not seem anything out of the ordinary. Her hairstyle and accessory hold a deeper meaning and are rooted in Korean culture. Fans can see her slicked hair was put into a braid with an accessory that matches her dress at the end.
Jung’s hairstylist, Jenny Cho, breaks down the meaning behind the look to Teen Vogue. Along with the custom gown, Louis Vuitton also designed a matching daenggi. The item is a Korean accessory used throughout history when women braided their hair. K-drama fans might notice the daenggi and hairstyle are often seen in historical dramas.
With Jung’s ensemble representing Korean culture, Cho explained how momentous the occasion was. “I learned about the inspiration behind Hoyeon’s dress from Louis Vuitton that showcased [everything from] the traditional Korean embroidery work to the traditional daenggi. The dress was so on point in how familiar it was to the motherland of Korea yet how modern and cool it felt,” said Cho.
Cho explains she could not help but feel emotional. She got to put Jung’s hair “into a modern version of the sleek traditional Korean braids and to put the daenggi into Hoyeon’s hair.” She calls the moment “special.”
Jenny Cho made the traditional braid a bit more modern
Cho breaks down how she achieved Jung’s hairstyle for the SAG Awards. Cho had to add a modern twist to the traditional look for the Squid Game actor. A seemingly simple braid required some work to make it look flawless. But Cho had to adjust the hairstyle to fit Jung’s facial features and standout points.
“For Hoyeon, I made the pony a little higher than right at the nape as it showed off her beautiful neck more, and it felt modern yet not too literal to the traditional braids,” explained Cho.
While Jung dazzled on the red carpet, the cultural meaning behind her ensemble would mean much more when she won Female Actor in a Drama Series. Jung was overcome with emotions while accepting her award as her co-star Le Jung-jae also won in his respective category.
