Hong Jin-kyung

In this Korean name, the family name is Hong.

Hong Jin-kyung (Korean: 홍진경, born December 23, 1977) is a South Korean entrepreneur, model, host, comedian and actress.

Hong Jin-kyung
홍진경
Hong in Dec 2024
Born	(1977-12-23) December 23, 1977 (age 47)
Education	Jeongeui Girl's High School Dongguk University
Occupations	Entrepreneur model host comedian actress
Years active	1993–present
Agent	TN Entertainment
Children	1
Korean name
Hangul	홍진경
Hanja	洪眞慶
Revised Romanization	Hong Jingyeong
McCune–Reischauer	Hong Chin'gyŏng
Website	Instagram Youtube The Kimchi

Filmography

Television shows

Year	Title	Role	Note(s)
2014	Magic Eye	Guest
	Fashion King Korea	Guest
2015	Infinite Challenge[1][2]	Herself	Ep. 416–417, 420–424, 446, 448–451, 540
	Off to School	Guest
	Non-Summit	Guest	Ep. 59
	My Little Television	Webcast Host	Ep. 5-6
	Dignity of a Meal	Guest
	Show Me Your Receipt	Guest
2016	Sister's Slam Dunk	Cast Member
	2016 Hope TV SBS	Guest	Ep. 309 310
2017	Sister's Slam Dunk 2	Cast Member
	Differentiated Class	Cast Member
	Change the Class	Cast Member
2018	Ball Red	Cast Member
	My Friend's Blind Date	Cast Member
2019	Job Heaven: Good Job	Cast Member
	Funstaurant	Guest
2020	Friday Joy Package	Cast Member
	All the Butlers	Guest	Ep. 125
	My First Social Life	Cast Member
	Want to Be Hot Again: Aero Couple	Cast Member
2021	Love Affair	Host	[3]
	Hong Jin-kyung's Glorious Devotee Life	Host	[4]
	Love Affair 2	Host	[5]
	I Need a Woman's Romance	Host	[6]
	Together with Korean Alphabet	Cast Member	Chucheok Special[7]
	Vegetables District	Host	with Jung Jae-hyung[8]
	Mama The Idol	Comeback Summoning Team	[9]
	Netflix Single's Inferno	Host
2022	School of Capitalism	Host	[10]
	Daughter Thieves	Host	[11]
	Things Are Suspicious These Days	Host	with Lee Kyung-kyu and Jeong Se-woon[12]
	Beat Coin	Cast Member	[13]
	Routine King	Host	with Jang Sung-kyu[14]
	Netflix Single's Inferno2	Host
2023	Anbang Judge	Lawyer	[15]
	Korean Food Tray	Cast Member	with Chef Lee Yeon-bok and Monsta X's Joohoney[16]
	Tight Wallet Club	Cast Member
	Three-way House	Cast Member
	Netflix Single's Inferno3	Host
2024	A Fine Line: Psychomentary	Cast Member
	Hong Judge vs. Judge	Cast Member
	Talkback	Cast Member
	Over-Immersed Life Season 2	Cast Member
	Reasonable Architecture	Cast Member
	Liberal Arts vs. Science, Amazing Proof	Cast Member
2025	All Grown Up, But Still Living at Home	Cast Member
	Doraiver: Finding the Lost Screw	Cast Member
	Netflix Single's Inferno4	Host

Career

Hong Jin-kyung was born as the eldest of two children (one son and one daughter). In 1993, during her first year of high school, she made her debut in the entertainment industry by receiving the Best Pose Award at the 2nd SBS Supermodel Contest.

Although she began her career as a model, Hong gained significant recognition after appearing as a guest on a variety show, where she stood out as a witty and charismatic host. This led her to become more active as a show MC rather than continuing solely as a model. Her comedic talents propelled her to stardom, and as her popularity grew, she also found great success in the modeling industry.

In 2004, Hong founded a food company called "Hong Jin-kyung Co., Ltd." and launched a kimchi business. Over time, the product line expanded to include dumplings, japchae, galbi, gomtang, doenjang, gochujang, and various sauces. Her products have been sold on major Korean home shopping channels such as CJ, GS, Hyundai, and Home&Shopping. The company maintained the No. 1 spot in online kimchi sales for an extended period.

In 2021, Hong Jin-kyung launched a YouTube channel titled "Study King Jin Genius" (공부왕 찐천재). As of 2025, the channel has surpassed 1.7 million subscribers. It has become widely popular both domestically and internationally.

The channel features a diverse lineup of high-profile guests, including presidential candidates, K-pop superstars such as BLACKPINK, BTS, and aespa, as well as legendary Hallyu figures like Lee Young-ae of Dae Jang Geum (Jewel in the Palace) fame.

All uploaded content consistently garners high view counts, solidifying the channel's status as one of Korea’s most prominent and influential YouTube platforms.

Since the 2010s, Hong has been recognized as a versatile entertainer, active across all areas of the entertainment industry. Her work spans modeling, comedy, TV hosting, radio DJing, acting, and even singing, as seen in her participation in the project girl group "Unnies".

Hong is also known for her philanthropic efforts. Since 2005, she has been supporting Yeomyung School, a shelter and educational facility for North Korean defectors. She has donated funds and supplies to a total of 12 organizations, including childcare centers, youth study rooms and shelters, UNICEF, and World Vision. Her efforts include vocational training sponsorships for orphans in South Korea and monthly donations to support 30 children and their communities across Asia.

In early 2012, she established a daycare center named "Rael Daycare" in Doba, Chad, Africa, named after her daughter Rael. In 2025, she launched a campaign with World Vision to help protect young girls in Africa from early and forced marriages.

Hong Jin-kyung continues to be celebrated for her diverse career and dedication to using her influence for social good.

Radio Host

Channel	Title
KBS 2FM	"Hong Jin-kyung’s Gayo Plaza" (홍진경의 가요광장)
KBS 2FM	"Hong Jin-kyung at 2PM" (홍진경의 2시)
MBC FM4U	"2 O'Clock Date" (두시의 데이트)

Television series & Film

Year	Title	Role
1995	Declaration of Genius
1997	Push! Push!	Cameo
1997	Baby sale	Cameo
1998	We create happiness
2016	Hong Jinkyung Show: Was Will (내일도 미래라면)	Writer & Main Lead
2013–2014	My Love from the Star	Hong Hye-in / Hong Bok-ja
2016–2017	The Legend of the Blue Sea	Homeless woman who can't give up fashion
2024	Queen of Tears	Private Investigator

Commercials

Year	Brand/Company	Product/Campaign Description
1993	Haitai Confectionery	Woorittorae
1994	Micro Touch	Sharp mechanical pencil
1995	Benetton	Fashion campaign
1995	Crown Confectionery	Pizza Twister
1995	Lotte Foods	Ggoshimang, Banabana, Matta Moa Spaghetti, Sugar-free Vegetable Mix
1995	Unicos Cosmetics	Propose Unique Mascara
1995	Kolon Pharmaceuticals	Bicogreen
1996	Shinsung E&F	I&BU (INBU) apparel campaign
1996	Lotte Chilsung	Red Jujube beverage
1996	Shinsung Distribution	Privite
1997	Sam-A Pharmaceutical	C-Pocket
1998	Korea Gas Safety Corporation	Gas safety campaign
1999	Ministry of Information and Communication	Mobile Phone Etiquette Campaign (with Yoo Jae-suk, Kang Ho-dong, Jung Sun-hee)
1999	Halla Construction	Vivaldi Apartments, Ilsan
1999	Ottogi	Yul Ramen (Cup) (with Joo Young-hoon)
2002	RUJeans	Fashion campaign
2008	1636	Mobile service campaign
2012	Avent Korea	Song ReV baby care line
2016	KT (Korea Telecom)	Call Manager app
2016	Sesaliving	Home living products
2016	Amorepacific	Innisfree Orchid skincare line
2017	Innisfree	Cosmetics campaign
2017	Samsung Electronics	Samsung Pay
2019	Douzone	WEHAGO business platform
2021–2022	Megastudy Education	Elly High (엘리하이) online learning
2021	Kahi	Beauty Balm
2021	Ahn-Guk Pharmaceuticals	Tobicom eye supplement
2022	SK Telecom	Atozem allergy medicine
2022	Wadiz Store	Online shopping platform
2022	HK Inno.N	Scalpmed hair care
2024	Kolon	Couronne (handbag & accessories)
2025	Radiwell	Health and wellness campaign

Ambassador

Year	Organization	Role
2007	Little Jesus Society (Parvus Jesus Society)	Honorary Ambassador
2015	Seoul Catholic Social Welfare Society	Honorary Ambassador
2025	Seoul Catholic Foreign Mission Society	Honorary Ambassador

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee / Work	Result	Ref.
Baeksang Arts Awards	2022	Best Female Variety Performer	Hong Jin-kyung	Nominated	[17]
	2024			Won	[18]
	2025			Pending	[19]
Brand of the Year Awards	2021	Female Entertainer		Won	[20]
		Celebrity YouTuber		Won
KBS Entertainment Awards	2022	Best Teamwork	Beat Coin (with Kim Sook, Jo Se-ho, Joo Woo-jae and Jang Woo-young)	Won	[21]
		Top Excellence in Show and Variety Category	Beat Coin	Nominated	[22]
	2023			Won	[23]