On ‘Sora and Jinkyoung’, Hong Jin-kyung recalled a time when her self-esteem hit rock bottom after receiving some harsh truths from Han Hye-jin.
In the MBC episode of ‘Sora and Jinkyoung’ aired on the 3rd, Lee Sora and Hong Jin-kyung met with top model Han Hye-jin to seek her advice.
Previously, Lee Sora and Hong Jin-kyung had sent their profiles, including snap photos and walking videos, to agencies in Paris. During the meeting, Hong Jin-kyung spoke about her challenge for Paris Fashion Week, saying, “I have no expectations. Even if I fail everything, I’m no worse off. I’ll just go to Paris, see the Eiffel Tower, and anyway, this is a variety show.”
Han Hye-jin immediately turned serious and pointed out, “I don’t think you should go with that mindset. If you think like that, you might not even get a single opportunity.”
Hong Jin-kyung confessed, “I think I’d be so embarrassed if I failed everything. Is the Paris fashion world a joke? There are so many beautiful and young models from all over the world.”
To this, Han Hye-jin delivered a reality check: “Because it’s a place like that, everyone wants to step onto that stage just once. It’s the dream city for all models. That’s exactly why you need to go with a stronger mindset. Those other models are at a crossroads in their lives. Going there thinking ‘Will I even make it?’ is actually disrespectful to them.”
Han Hye-jin also encouraged her, saying, “Unnie, you debuted as a model. You were originally a fashion model, and although you’re a comedian now, that fashion model DNA is flowing in your blood. It has awakened again after 30 years.”
Meanwhile, Hong Jin-kyung opened up about her hidden feelings. “To be honest, if you say you’re a model, you have to try Paris at least once. I really want to go too,” she said, recalling a time when she put all her broadcasting activities on hold to challenge Fashion Week.
However, she returned home without walking in a single fashion show. Hong Jin-kyung confessed, “My self-esteem hit rock bottom back then. I felt like I didn’t know my place and wondered, ‘Why did I come here?’ I thought this wasn’t my path, so I focused on variety shows.”
She added, “But now that I’m suddenly told to go, I feel a genuine desire in my heart. But that’s also scary. Because I’m being sincere, I’m afraid of getting hurt and afraid of the embarrassment of failing everything.”
Han Hye-jin advised, “If you take it lightly, the process might be easier, but you make yourself soft and loose, excluding the version of yourself that could work desperately hard. You have to go to auditions as if there’s no tomorrow. With that rotten mindset, you’ll be kicking yourself in regret on the plane ride back to Korea.”
Above all, Han Hye-jin shared, “I never looked back. I worked really hard. I went to 30 auditions a day. So, would there be any regrets? I have absolutely no regrets.”
