INTERVIEW SERIES: A CONVERSATION WITH HYUN JI SHIN - THE WORLD OF MODELLING

HYUN JI SHIN CLOSING
CHANEL 2020 FALL/WINTER

If you ask me to name some of the top models in the industry at the moment, Hyun Ji Shin would definitely be at the top of my list. Last season, her career reached another pinnacle with the much-talked Chanel closing. Her recent cover for Vogue Korea has won a critical acclaim. However, since her debut in Korea's Next Top Model, her modeling career has not always been an easy path. She had her own ups and downs, but she is now one of the most sought-after models in the world of fashion. She walks for brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, you name it! She is on the pages of major fashion magazines and gets regularly cast for campaigns. 

I thank Hyun Ji Shin tremendously for sharing her honest thoughts. It was a huge honor to have her as my guest. I hope you all enjoy this interview. 

Hongjun Byun (HB): What is a fashion model?

Hyun Ji Shin (HS): Figuratively speaking, model is the embodiment of spotlight, but it comes with a stark contrast between on-stage and off-stage. As a profession, models present to the public firsthand a trend of clothing, which is one pillar of the necessities of life along with food and shelter.

HB: I can still remember when you were on Korea's Next Top Model. Now, you are a Top 50. How did you feel when you first heard the news?

HS: I was so over the moon that I visited the website multiple times every day after I knew about it.

HB: I can tell, even as an outsider, that modeling is a challenging job. It's not uncommon to see models debut successfully one season and disappear the very next season. Your career had a stagnating stage at one point, but you surmounted the obstacles, making it all the way to the Top 50. I can only assume that you had many sleepless nights when you thought seriously about your future as a model. What was the driving force that kept you going forward?

HS: I try not to be complacent and always strive for the best. I keep telling myself, “I can’t let this be the most difficult moment in my life!" I have an unquenchable thirst to unlock my hidden potential that I myself do not know yet. I especially don't like spending time in a meaningless way. When I was going through tough times, I tried to do things that I find meaningful. I went to many exhibitions whether I get it or not. I also dabbled in paintings whether I excel it or not. I learned music and watched films. That's how I eased myself and came to terms with my tough days. I didn't let myself sit idly when hardships hit me.

HB: Last season, you closed the Chanel show. Not many models get to partake in that glory. I was personally so enraptured to see you walking the beautifully staged runway along with Gigi Hadid and Mona Tougaard. How did you feel when you knew that you would be closing the show? What thoughts crossed your mind on the runway?

HS: I felt doubly compensated for all the effort I put into my career over the years. I could picture my family who would be watching and feel proud of me back in Korea. I was touched because I knew, more than anyone, that my family has been supporting and believing in me. Visualizing them in my mind made feel deeply moved. I made eye contact with Korean reporters, and I could not help but make a big smile. Every single step I made during the show was so so precious to me that I secretly wished the show would never end.

HB: Because of the pandemic, traditional fashion weeks and photo shoots are temporarily postponed. How are you dealing with the situation?

HS: I feel sorry and am in deep empathy for what all of us are going through in this difficult time. It never occurred to me that international travels would become a practical impossibility in my lifetime. As I told you earlier, I don't like sitting idly. I was able to spend some time with myself and for myself, not as Hyun Ji the model whose life was packed with endless travels, photo shoots, and runway shows. I started learning ballet and guitar which were at the top of my bucket list for a long time. I am trying to read as much as possible, too. This can be a great time for personal growth if I manage to spend time wisely. That's my goal for now.

HB: I heard from people in the industry that working conditions of models have made meaningful progress. That does not mean that there's no room for improvement. In what areas do you want to see further improvement?

HS: Mutual respect for each other's time.

HB: You recently changed your Korean agency to GOST. What led you to make that decision?

HS: I thought that GOST would prioritize the opinions of models over the profit of a company.

HB: Personality and work ethics are key to the longevity of a model's career. It further helps that you speak fluent English. What does personality mean to you in substance, and what is the desirable work ethics a model should develop and possess?

HS: When you see someone in person, a person with a good personality is someone who shines from the inside and has his or her own personal philosophy and beliefs. What's seen on the outside matters much less. As a model, you should be flexible and be able to bring to the work your own unique color.

HB: In this industry, rejection is far more common than acceptance. This might erode your self-esteem. How do you maintain your self-esteem?

HS: The moment you start comparing yourself to others, your self-esteem erodes. Comparison does nothing but plant in you a sense of inferiority and vanity. They slowly gnaw at your self-esteem. I see this happening a lot in real life. When you live your own life, that's when you can start to keep your self-esteem high all the way through.

HB: There are those out there who look up to you in pursuit of their dreams. What would be one piece of advice you would offer to future would-be models?

HS: Despite all the hardships and challenges you would face along the way, keep trying with your own firm conviction while taking good care of yourself.

HB: What's your next goal as a model?

HS: Scoring the Big 4. 

(Here, she's referring to the American, British, French, and Italian Vogue. It's an industry term.)

HB: This last question might be special to you. What is Mango to you?

HS: Mango is devilishly attractive. I can't help but smile whenever I look at her. Mango is lovely just the way she is. People say that parents’ love for their children is unrequited and one-sided. That's exactly how I feel about Mango. I don't know how, but Mango knows whenever I feel down. She comes to me to hear me out and make me feel better. She's all ears when I talk to her. But, of course, she only listens. (laughter) A friend who always listens to my stories… isn’t that precious! I just have one little wish that Mango would still be there to congratulate me when I get married someday.

[한글 인터뷰 원본] 

Q: 가장 근본적인 질문인니다. 패션 모델이란 무슨 직업이라고 생각하시나요?

A: 스포트라이트를 형상화한 직업, 무대 위와 이면의 차이가 극명하게 갈리는 직업, 의식주 중 "의"에 해당하는 부분의 트렌드를 대중에게 가장 먼저 선보이는 직업이라고 생각합니다.

Q: 도전 수퍼모델 코리아에서 현지 씨를 본 게 엊그제 같은데 이제는 모델스닷컴 톱 50에 당당히 이름을 올린 톱모델로 성장하셨어요. 톱 50이 되었다는 소식을 들었을 때 기분이 어떠셨는지 궁금합니다.

A: 너무 기뻐서 하루에도 수십 번씩 Models.com 홈페이지에 들락날락 거렸습니다.

Q: 모델이라는 직업은 참 쉽지 않은 직업인 것 같습니다. 정말 화려하게 데뷔한 신인들도 몇 시즌이 지나면 업계에서 사라지는 일이 빈번하죠.  소위 “리부트”되었다는 말이 나올 정도로 정체기를 멋지게 극복한 후 하이패션 모델로서 꾸준한 성장을 해 오셨는데요. 아마 고민 어린 밤들이 많았을 거라고 미루어 짐작합니다. 힘든 시기를 극복할 수 있는 원동력은 무엇이었고, 또 어떤 노력들을 개인적으로 기울이셨는지 궁금합니다.

A: ‘겨우 이게 내 인생에 가장 힘든 순간일 거야’라고 스스로에게 말하며 굴하지 않고 안주하지 않으려고 노력합니다. 나 자신도 모르는 나의 가능성에 대해 끊임없이 고민하고 지금도 찾고 있어요. 항상 갈증을 느낍니다. 시간을 무의미하게 보내는 것을 좋아하지 않기 때문에 힘든 시기일수록 더 저에게 가치 있는 일을 찾으려 노력했던 것 같습니다. 이해를 하던 못하던 전시도 많이 보러 다니고, 그림을 잘 그리던 못 그리던 그림도 그리고, 음악도 배우고, 영화도 많이 보고, 그러다 보면 힘든 일도 잊게 되었던 것 같아요. 힘든 일이 있을수록 몸을 쉬게 하지 않았던 것 같습니다.

Q: 지난 시즌 샤넬의 피날레 모델이 되셨습니다. 정말 소수의 모델만이 그 영광을 누리는데요. 새벽 4시에 라이브로 컬렉션을 보다 개인적으로도 정말 매우 기뻤습니다. 클로징 결정이 났을 때 기분은 어떠셨는지, 또 워킹을 하면서 속으로 어떤 생각을 하셨는지 그 감회가 궁금합니다.

A: 그간 저의 노력이 현실로 배가 되어 보상받는 느낌이었어요. 워킹을 하는 동안 한국에서 라이브로 보고 있을 가족들이 상상되어 뭉클했습니다. 그 누구보다 저를 지지해 주고 믿어주고 응원해 준 걸 알기에. 한국 기자분들과 걷다가 눈이 마주쳤는데 저도 모르게 활짝 미소를 지었죠. 지금 내가 걷고 있는 한 발짝 한 발짝이 너무나도 소중해 이 런웨이가 끝나지 않았으면 좋겠다고 생각하며 걸었습니다.

Q: 코로나19의 여파로 패션계의 주축이었던 전통적인 포맷의 4대 패션위크와 잡지 촬영들이 지금으로서는 중단되었습니다. 모델로서 아쉬운 마음도 분명 들겠지만 현재 이 상황을 어떻게 대처하고 계신가요? 

A: 코로나19로 인해 전 세계가 많이 힘들어 유감입니다. 하늘 길이 막히게 될 것이라고는 살면서 단 한 번도 상상하지 못했거든요. 앞서 말했듯이 시간을 의미 없이 보내는 걸 별로 좋아하지 않아요. 수많은 비행, 촬영과 런웨이 일정뿐이었던 모델 신현지의 삶에서 인간 신현지의 삶을 보낼 수 있게 되었습니다. 그동안 배우고 싶었던 발레와 기타를 배우기 시작했고, 독서를 최대한 많이 해보려 노력하고 있습니다. 오히려 이 시간들을 잘 활용한다면 자기 계발의 절호의 기회가 될 것이라고 생각합니다. 최대한 이 시간들을 잘 이용하고 싶습니다.

Q: 모델들의 노동 환경이 이전에 비하면 상당히 좋아졌다고 많은 업계 분들께 들었습니다. 그럼에도 불구하고 항상 개선해야 할 점은 존재하겠죠. 혹시 모델로서 일하면서 이런 부분이 조금 더 개선되었으면 좋겠다는 분야가 있나요?

A: 서로 간의 시간에 대한 존중이요.

Q: 최근 한국 에이전시를 고스트로 옮기셨습니다.어떤 점에 이끌려 결정을 내리게 되셨나요?

A: 회사의 이익보다는 모델의 의견을 우선시하는 회사라 생각했습니다.

Q: 많은 업계 사람들이 모델 커리어의 가장 중요한 요소로 개성과 직업윤리를 꼽습니다. 현지 씨가 생각하는 모델의 “개성”이란 구체적으로 무엇을 뜻하는지, 또 어떤 태도로 이 일을 대하는 것이 바람직하다고 생각하시는지 정말 궁금합니다.

A: 실제로 사람들을 만나봤을 때 개성이 있다고 느껴지는 사람은 외적인 요소보다 내적으로 자신만의 생각이 뚜렷한 사람입니다. 모델로서 융통성이 있으되 자기만의 색깔을 보여주는 것이 바람직하고 중요하다고 생각합니다.

Q: 아무래도 이 업계는 승락보다는 거절이 많을 수밖에 없습니다. 아무래도 사람인지라 자존감에 영향을 끼칠 수밖에 없을 텐데요. 현지 씨는 어떤 방법으로 자존감을 유지하시는지 궁금합니다.

A: 남과 비교하는 순간 자존감은 낮아지게 되어 있는 것 같습니다. 남이랑 비교하다 보면 열등감만 높아지고 자존심만 세지고 자존감은 되려 낮아지더라고요. 실제로 주변에서 이런 경우를 많이 봅니다. 본인 인생을 사는 순간 자존감은 저절로 높아지게 되어 있는 것 같습니다.

Q: 현지씨를 보며 모델의 꿈을 키우는 분들이 정말 많을 것이라고 생각해요. 모델이 되고 싶은 분들에게 해주고 싶은 조언이 있다면 무엇일까요?

A: 고난과 역경이 있을지 언정 본인만의 멘탈 관리법과 소신을 가지고 모델에 도전해 보길 바랍니다.

Q: 현지씨의 모델로서의 다음 목표는 무엇인가요? 

A: 모델로서는 4대보그 커버정복! 

Q: 마지막으로 특별한 질문일 것 같은데요. 현지씨에게 반려동물 망고란? 

A: 망고는 마성의 아이에요. 보기만 해도 웃음을 안겨주는 그런 존재. 망고는 그냥 그 자체로 사랑스러운 아이입니다. 부모가 평생 자식을 짝사랑하는 마음이 듯 저도 망고를 향해 짝사랑을 하고 있죠. 보다 보면 마음이 으스러지게 좋고 짠해요. 마음이 힘든 일이 있어도 망고는 어떻게 아는지 자기한테 다 털어놓으라고 저한테 다가오며 위로해 주거든요. 얘기하면 묵묵히 들어줍니다. 대신 들어주기만 하죠. (웃음) 나의 이야기를 들어주는 존재. 그 얼마나 소중한가요! 망고에게 바라는 작은 소원이 있다면 나중에 제가 결혼을 할 때도 망고가 저를 축하해 주면 좋겠습니다.