Then And Now: The Unchanging Beauty Of Jun Ji-Hyun
From teen heartthrob to Hallyu queen, South Korea’s highest-paid celebrity of 2021 is a face you can’t miss!
The 'Nation’s First Love', 'CF Queen', award-winning actress, wife and mother, highest-paid celebrity in South Korea—these are just some of the many titles Jun Ji-hyun currently holds as she sits on top of the Korean entertainment industry.
Whether you know her as The Girl in My Sassy Girl, or Cheon Song-yi in My Love From the Star, maybe Sim Cheong in Legend of the Blue Sea, there’s no denying that the model and actress has brought to life some of the most iconic characters we’ve ever seen on film and in television. What’s more, the perpetually flawless beauty has become the face of so many brands in South Korea since debuting in 1997 that she’s been in hundreds of CFs in the span of her decades-long career. It’s really no surprise she’s reported to pull in a whopping $14 million per appearance nowadays!
iAt 40, Jun Ji-hyun continues to prove just how influential she is on- and off-camera. While we intended to see her “evolution” through the years, it’s worth noting just how little she’s changed physically even after decades in the limelight. She looks every bit the unnie we’ve come to love since the early 2000s! Swipe through the gallery below for a peek at some of Jun Ji-hyun’s most memorable looks in CFs, dramas, and films!
Jun Ji-hyun Evolution
Jun Ji-hyun Evolution
Pre-Debut
Before becoming Jun Ji-hyun or Gianna Jun, the model-actress was born Wang Ji-hyun—an introverted young woman who turned heads in middle school because she looked like a character from a Korean comic book. Even with a simple ponytail and no makeup, she looks just as we know her today!
Photo Credit: KPop Herald
Pre-Debut
“At the time, Jun Ji-hyun was already famous for her beauty,” says Fin.K.L’s Ok Joo-hyun who also went to Unju Middle School. Long hair or short hair, side part or no part, bangs or no bangs, we can recognize this fresh face anywhere.
Photo Credit: KPop Herald
Pre-Debut
As a teen, Jun Ji-hyun wanted to become a flight attendant; but with her tall and slim frame, those close to her thought she’d be perfect for modeling and acting—and how right they were! Here’s a studio pic with her signature pretty girl look!
Photo Credit: ABKPOP
École Magazine (1997)
She eventually landed on the cover of a Korean magazine with a short layered cut that’s quite different from her pre-debut look. The lip gloss is very ’90s, too! From here, she would go on to become a successful model before transitioning into film and TV in the next few years.
Photo Credit: Soompi
White Valentine (1999)
Her acting debut came in the romantic film White Valentine where she played a young painter named Kim Jeong-min who was the picture of innocence with the simplest hairstyle and barely-there makeup.
Photo Credit: Jump Cut
Happy Together (1999)
She then starred as Seo Yoon-joo in Happy Together where she noticeably wore a bit more eye makeup. We love how the eyeliner changed up her look a bit!
Samsung MyJet DNA CF (1999)
The “antennae” bangs, the frosted eye shadow…the turn of the millennium, right? This two-minute CF of Jun Ji-hyun dancing to upbeat club music cemented her as a Korean icon with her confidence and über trendy look.
Photo Credit: YouTube
Il Mare (2000)
Next, Jun Ji-hyun played Eun-joo—a young woman who lived in a house by the sea named Il Mare. The windswept, subtle beach waves suit her, don’t you think? Fun Fact: Lake House (starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves) was based on this film!
Photo Credit: IMDb
My Sassy Girl
The film that launched the era of The Girl, this no-nonsense look with straight hair and minimal makeup embodied the cheeky (and at times crazy) college girl aesthetic in every way. My Sassy Girl shot her to stardom across Asia and solidified her reign in the Korean entertainment industry and even beyond.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
The Uninvited (2003)
Taking a leap from romance to horror, Jun Ji-hyun appeared in The Uninvited as Yeon—a young woman with the ability to see spirits. Although she was “plain”-faced throughout, we use the word very lightly as there’s obviously nothing plain about this woman’s beauty!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Windstruck (2004)
Fans of Jun Ji-hyun’s previous iconic role as The Girl found more reasons to love her as police officer Yeo Kyung-jin in Windstruck. Dubbed “a spiritual prequel” to My Sassy Girl, this one saw the indubitable Hallyu queen continue flaunting the simplest of looks only real beauties can pull off.
Photo Credit: @kpop2ndgen
Giordano CF (2004)
A 23-year-old Jun Ji-hyun shed her innocent image in a controversial Giordano CF that was even banned from airing on public television networks. We can’t deny Britney’s “I’m A Slave 4 U” influence in this, and we’re loving the sexy, smoky eyes and wet hair look!
Photo Credit: sassygirljunjihyun.com
Daisy (2006)
In her next film, Jun Ji-hyun played Daisy’s Hye-young—a street painter based in Amsterdam—who looked every bit the artiste with her unkempt hair tucked in a cool beanie.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
A Man Who Was Superman (2007)
Yet another departure from her previous pure-hearted characters, Jun Ji-hyun transforms into Song Soo-jung who is a documentary filmmaker complete with a messy mop of hair and minimal makeup.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
The Last Vampire (2009)
Next, she transforms into half-human, half-vampire Saya Otonashi in the action-horror flick. Based on an anime of the same name, it explains the typical Japanese schoolgirl look she wore in the film—braids, bangs, and all!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (2011)
She then starred in her first English language film where she played a woman called Snow Flower from the 19th Century. Given the period it’s set in, Jun Ji-hyun looked every bit the simple country girl… (1/2)
Photo Credit: The Arts Desk
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (2011)
She also played Sophia (right), the modern-day descendant of Snow Flower. Young and fresh? Check!
Photo Credit: flightofthefangirl
US Vogue (2011)
Jun Ji-hyun also became the first Korean actress to be featured in Vogue US, photographed by the legendary Annie Liebovitz alongside Snow Flower and The Secret Fan co-star Li Bingbing. All glammed up and ready to Queen across the world!
Photo Credit: VOGUE
Wedding (2012)
The next year, Jun Ji-hyun married her non-celebrity fiance in a luxurious wedding where she looked oh-so-polished—from the impeccable updo to the dewy makeup. Swoon!
Photo Credit: Soompi
The Thieves (2012)
She then joined the star-studded cast of The Thieves where she played the sexy Yenicall characterized by her cat eyeliner, bright lipstick, and fit figure!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Amore Pacific Illy (2012)
Jun Ji-hyun also became the face of Amore Pacific skincare brand Illy. In one of her photos, she’s seen flaunting her stunning jawline, a polished updo, and fantastic curves.
Photo Credit: giannajun.com
Ottogi Cup Noodle CF (2013)
In keeping with the sexy-quirky type she’s become known for, she also appeared in a CF all glammed up with her high ponytail and subtly sexy makeup to sell us some instant noodles. Say no more!
Photo Credit: giannajun.com
The Berlin File (2013)
Jun Ji-hyun then starred in this action-thriller where she played Yeon Jeong-hee—an interpreter at the Berlin Embassy who blended in with her Plain Jane look.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Lottle Kloud Beer (2014)
Jun Ji-hyun then glams up yet again for her CF with Kloud Beer. The cascading wavy hair, the subtle sheen of her eye shadow and that lipstick shade—beautiful!
Photo Credit: giannajun.com
The Assassination (2015)
A special agent in 1930s Korea? Yes, Jun Ji-hyun! Her turn as Ahn Ok-yoon in this entertaining spy drama is one to watch especially with our queen’s many transformations in the film—including this bespectacled look we don’t see on her often.
My Love From The Star (2015)
Who can ever forget Jun Ji-hyun’s turn as Cheon Song-yi? We really need not explain further, but we all remember how iconic ALL her looks were as the quirky female lead of this widely successful drama.
Photo Credit: dramapearls
Legend of the Blue Sea (2016)
At this point, Jun Ji-hyun has become a college student, police officer, painter, vampire, special agent, and actress, among many other characters. Her role as mermaid Sim Cheong is yet another memorable one, celebrated for her ethereal, mystical beauty.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Kingdom (2020)
Jun Ji-hyun took a long break after Legend of the Blue Sea, giving birth to two sons in 2016 and 2018. Since then, she made a much-awaited comeback—however brief—in the end of Kingdom’s second season. No makeup here, just pure badassery.
Photo Credit: The Cinemaholic
Alexander McQueen (2021)
In March, Jun Ji-hyun was revealed as the new face of Alexander McQueen where she modeled several of the designer’s looks with flawless makeup as per usual. We’re living for this subtle coral pink on her lips!
Photo Credit: SSI Life PH
Kingdom: Ashin of the North Promo (2021)
Making her real comeback on the small screen with the “sidequel” to Netflix’s Kingdom, the actress was photographed for promotions looking as stunning as ever with lush lashes and a bold lip.
Photo Credit: Netflix
Kingdom: Ashin of the North (2021)
While her promotions were super glam, her character Ashin is far from the chic woman behind the scenes. You can already tell from her dried lips she’s gone through A LOT.
Photo Credit: Netflix
Jirisan (2021)
Jun Ji-hyun is currently headlining the tvN drama Jirisan where she plays a park ranger. Not quite a pretty girl role, but still beautiful all the same. We’re feeling her long, wispy bangs as Seo Yi-kang in this ongoing series!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Jirisan Press Conference (2021)
We end this list with her appearance in the Jirisan press conference and Jun Ji-hyun’s sexy blunt bob and nude lips. This look is 100/100!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
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