5 Surprising Facts About Jung Ho-yeon's Personal Life And Her Rumored Daughter

The global curiosity surrounding Squid Game star Jung Ho-yeon reached a fever pitch after her breakout role as Kang Sae-byeok, leading millions of fans to delve into her private world, especially the question of her family life. As of December 2025, the definitive answer to the persistent question, "Does Jung Ho-yeon have a daughter?" is no. The South Korean model and actress is not a mother and has no children. The speculation often stems from confusion over her on-screen roles or the intense public focus on her long-term relationship, which recently saw a significant, high-profile change.

The intense scrutiny of her personal life has only grown as her career skyrockets from the runways of Seoul and New York to major Hollywood and Korean film projects. This comprehensive profile cuts through the rumors to provide the most current and verified details about Jung Ho-yeon's biography, her recent, high-profile relationship status change, and her exciting slate of upcoming 2025 projects, including the psychological thriller The Hole and the series Disclaimer. Understanding her life off-screen reveals a focus entirely dedicated to her groundbreaking career.

Jung Ho-yeon: Complete Biography and Profile

Jung Ho-yeon is a South Korean powerhouse who successfully transitioned from a globally recognized fashion model to an award-winning actress. Her journey from the runway to the screen is one of the most remarkable stories in recent Korean entertainment history.

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• Full Name: Jung Ho-yeon (정호연)
• Date of Birth: June 23, 1994
• Age (as of 2025): 31
• Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
• Nationality: South Korean
• Height: 176 cm (5 ft 9 in)
• Agency: Saram Entertainment
• Career Start: 2010 (as a freelance model)
• Breakthrough: Runner-up on Korea's Next Top Model (Season 4, 2013)
• Acting Debut: Squid Game (2021) as Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067)
• Major Awards: Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG) for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series (2022)
• Known For: Her distinct look, fiery red hair early in her career, and her compelling, stoic performance in Squid Game.

Before her acting career, Ho-yeon was a fixture in the global fashion industry, walking for major houses like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Marc Jacobs. She was even dubbed "Korea's next top model" by Vogue. Her pivot to acting was an immediate, massive success, demonstrating a rare versatility and a commitment to mastering new crafts.

The Truth Behind the "Jung Ho-yeon Daughter" Rumor

The question of Jung Ho-yeon having a child—specifically a daughter—is a common search query, but it is entirely unfounded. The rumor can be traced back to several key areas of confusion and public speculation, none of which are based on fact.

Confusion with the Character Kang Sae-byeok

Jung Ho-yeon’s breakout role was as Kang Sae-byeok, a North Korean defector in the Netflix series Squid Game. In the show, Sae-byeok’s motivation for joining the deadly games is to earn enough money to get her younger brother out of an orphanage and to reunite with her mother. While the character has a sibling and a mother she is trying to save, the character does not have a daughter. The emotional intensity of her character’s familial struggle often leads fans to conflate the actress's personal life with her on-screen persona, sparking the initial rumors about her having a child.

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Intense Scrutiny of Her Long-Term Relationship

For nearly a decade, Jung Ho-yeon was in a high-profile relationship with actor Lee Dong-hwi, known for his roles in Reply 1988 and Extreme Job. Their nine-year romance was one of the most stable and admired in the Korean entertainment industry. The longevity and seriousness of the relationship naturally led to public speculation about marriage and children. However, the couple maintained a private stance on their future plans, and no official announcements about a pregnancy or adoption were ever made.

Recent Relationship Update: A New Chapter

In a major and recent development that shocked many fans, Jung Ho-yeon and Lee Dong-hwi officially ended their nine-year relationship in November 2024. Both of their agencies confirmed the split, stating that the pair would transition back to being good colleagues. This recent update confirms that, despite the length of their relationship, Jung Ho-yeon was never married and did not have a daughter with Lee Dong-hwi. Her current status is single, and her focus remains squarely on her demanding career schedule.

Jung Ho-yeon’s Blockbuster Projects for 2025 and Beyond

Jung Ho-yeon’s career trajectory since Squid Game has been explosive, with the actress securing roles in major international productions. Her upcoming projects demonstrate a clear ambition to establish herself as a global movie star, leaving little doubt that her immediate future is centered on professional growth, not motherhood.

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The Hole: A Psychological Thriller

One of her most anticipated projects is the psychological thriller film, The Hole, where she is set to star alongside a talented cast. This film is scheduled to be shot in both the United States and South Korea during the first half of 2025. The project is noted for featuring a mix of English and Korean dialogue, highlighting her versatility and appeal to both Western and Asian audiences. Her role in this film is a major step toward solidifying her presence in Hollywood.

Disclaimer: Working with a Hollywood Legend

Ho-yeon is also taking on a significant role in the upcoming psychological thriller series Disclaimer, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón. The series, based on the novel of the same name, features her alongside Hollywood heavyweights like Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline. This project confirms her status as a prestige actress capable of working with the industry’s elite. Her character is a key player in the narrative, a young woman named Kim who is forced to confront a dark secret.

Continued Fashion and Brand Influence

Beyond acting, Jung Ho-yeon continues to be a massive force in the fashion world. She serves as a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton, a role she has held since 2021. Her influence extends across various high-end brands, with her frequently appearing in global campaigns and on the covers of major magazines like ELLE and Vogue. Her continued modeling work and brand partnerships, which often require extensive international travel, further illustrate a lifestyle currently incompatible with raising a young child.

In summary, while the public’s fascination with Jung Ho-yeon’s personal life is understandable given her rapid rise to fame, the rumors of her having a daughter are simply untrue. The actress remains single following her recent breakup, and her calendar is packed with major film and television projects throughout 2025, confirming her commitment to her career as a model and actress.