This Korean-Nigerian teen is Korea's next top fashion and role model
"Can you speak English?" Han Hyun Min, a Korean-Nigerian model in Seoul said when I asked if I could interview him. Then I realized I committed the same impression everyone had whenever they met him for the first time—that he's a foreigner in Korea. I've watched him walk the runways for Seoul Fashion Week about two months ago, and in fact, he was in almost all of the best designer shows. Sometimes he would even "open" the show, a task only seasoned models are usually given. Vogue.com took notice of Hyun Min and did a feature on him, in a headline that speaks volumes and sum up what he had accomplished in such a short period of time since he started modeling: "This Korean-Nigerian Model is Breaking Boundaries in Seoul." But back then, this wasn't always the case.
Hyun Min, who has a Korean mother and a Nigerian father, shares in Korean language, "Basically, Koreans do not like people who are different from themselves. At first, they did not like me very much. Even until now, not many companies or brands are open to working with me." The 16-year-old high school student continues, "If I develop my strengths, I'm hoping that the people will start to acknowledge me."
Standing out
Growing up as a bi-racial child in Korea isn't always ideal, as the country is known for being homogeneous and nationalistic, even if it is starting to become global. "My skin is dark so when I was a kid, the other kids would tease me. It was very hard," he says. "When I was in school my nickname was anchovies, because even if I eat a lot, I don't get fat."
He first dreamt of being an athlete, but having four siblings and with his family barely having enough to get by, he gave it up and stumbled upon something that would seem even more far-fetched—the world of fashion. To relieve stress he would watch videos on YouTube, then he chanced upon a clip of a fashion show in Milan. "And I felt like this is my thing. I just wanted to do this," Hyun Min says. "Suddenly, I heard an explosion in my head."
That was his first encounter with fashion, and eventually he developed a unique sense of style and a taste for spotting trends. Every week he and his friends would go to some spots in Seoul that are known for their vibrant and fashionable youth culture: Myeongdong, Garosugil, and Hongdae. "I couldn’t buy clothes because it’s so expensive, and we will wear clothes and take photos in the fitting rooms. We would go around and if we found people who wore something really cool, I would ask them, 'Where did you get this? What’s the brand?'" he reminisces. "When I approach people they always get surprised."
Breaking in
For the young impressionable teen, wearing nice clothes and well-known brands was more than just having bragging rights. His craving for fashion went far deeper than his sartorial taste. "I feel really good when I wear branded clothes that others do not know of. Of course, those clothes are so expensive so I really save money just to buy some pieces. In that sense, being a model became my dream job."
He felt like he had to do something more than just buying clothes. He wanted to be a part of that elusive, glamorous world. In an industry that's saturated with Korean models, it was certainly not easy to "break in." Many people took advantage of his desire to model. "I got scammed six times in just three months," he said, counting in his head. There was one time when he was called for a photo shoot that promised to take him abroad, only to cancel on him without any explanation. Then there was an online fashion site that called him out for a shoot in a hotel in the middle of the night. He did get to do the shoot, but with some shady conditions: they wouldn't pay him if the clothes he modeled for will not sell. "Then they told me they didn’t sell anything so I did not get a penny," he says, disheartened at the memory.
His mom told him to continue being a model, but only as a joke. But she didn't discourage him, either. He shares, "My mom gave me an advice: 'If you have the passion to do whatever you want, you can overcome any difficulties.'"
As if in good timing, Youn Bum, creative director of SF Models, saw his photos on the Internet and gave him a call. They met at Holly's Café in Itaewon and asked him to walk on the big street in front of it. As a young, junior high school student wearing a uniform, it didn't occur to him that it was right there—in that ordinary street and in a normal day—where he will get his big chance. "As soon as I saw him, he smiled brightly and he told me, 'Can you smile once?' And then he asked me to walk on that big road."
The rest, as they say, is history, and Youn Bum asked him to sign a contract to become part of SF models right after he saw his distinct look and confident stride. Hyun Min beams, "I still remember Mr. Youn Bum’s face and the background music, it was 'Take on me.'”
Since then big opportunities came knocking on his door. On his most memorable modeling works, Hyun Min couldn't choose one, but says, "Han Sang Hyeok of HSH brand. He styled me with short red hair and made my debut show as the opening model. I also did Star Wars Log One show and Hyundai car. I did it for three seasons straight. I'm always thankful."
Breaking down barriers
With almost 30,000 followers on Instagram and a growing fanbase, people from all over the world would send Hyun Min messages of encouragement, telling him how much of an inspiration he is to them. Yet he still remains humble: "I don’t think I’m successful now. I think the most important thing is now and I will try harder. So I can’t stop doing this. I will do it for the people who believe in me," he says.
Perhaps it's not his bloodline, language, or home that makes him completely Korean. His perseverance, humility, and "I will always do my best!" attitude that make him more Korean than others. Or perhaps "being Korean" shouldn't even matter. In this case, for Hyun Min, "It’s not about simply being a model. Anything you do your best in—even if it’s hard—anyone can achieve what they want. I want to be the hope for anyone who wants to try." Maybe soon he should add the words "role model" to his portfolio.
Photos by: Seoul Fashion Week Organization
*** Published in Groove Korea Magazine
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