There’s an Asian fashion model confidently striding down the runway under the spotlight in Milan, Italy. It is 27-year-old Sean Yong.

Despite many appearances in international fashion shows, the young model, ironically, has not drawn that much attention in his home country, Korea.


The promising model announced his arrival in the fashion world of Milan, the home of fashion, when he walked the catwalk during a John Varvatos show in 2012 as part of the Milan Collection.

Since his debut, he’s gotten many chances to walk down the runway at many menswear shows featuring household names such as Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Diesel and John Richmond.

His participation in the Diesel show, in particular, lifted him to stardom as he became the first ever Asian model to promote the brand in its history.



Even though he’s not famous in his home country, Sean Yong has been active in the domestic fashion industry as well, modeling at most shows taking place across the nation, such as at Seoul Fashion Week and at other shows for luxury brands.

Korea.net recently sat down with the model, expecting to hear some of the stories he has to tell.

* Interview with fashion model Sean Yong


1. You've walked the catwalk at so many famous fashion shows in Italy, modeling for brands such as Diesel and Armani, only to name a few. Take us through the process of becoming a fashion model who appears in such famous Milan shows.

In Italy, there are agencies designed for fashion models, just as there are in Korea. The first thing I had to do to tap into the fashion world there was to find a good agency that could help me. However, it was not that easy finding a good one. I ended up emailing my photos and portfolio to an Italian agency I wanted to work with.

Fortunately, they liked my portfolio and contacted me, saying they hoped to see me in Italy. I flew to Milan immediately. Upon arriving there, I had my photos taken and got a daily schedule with a series of auditions.

With only the schedule sheet and a map, I travelled alone on the subway and had to find the audition sites all by myself. I tried so many auditions and waited for the results all day long.

Three days into my journey through the fashion hub, I had consecutive auditions and didn't hear from any of them, until I got a call from John Varvatos. I heard that I'd passed the first round of auditions. Just before that, I was thinking, "I might go home empty-handed." I was lucky enough to make it to the next round, and, more happily, into the final round.

In the final round, I had an arch rival, a very handsome British guy with outstanding walking skills. Either he or I was going to take the only spot on the show. To my surprise, I succeeded and got the ticket to be in my first Milan show.

To be honest, I almost lost the opportunity, as I was a bit late for the audition. Luckily, I came across one of John Varvatos’ designers leaving the audition site and he was among the judges that day. When I told him why I was late, he told me to come again tomorrow.

That's how I was able to see him again the next day and get the ticket to be in the show. If I had not bumped into him at the time, I would never have had the chance to be in the John Varvatos fashion show.

I remember tears welling up in my eyes at the moment of hearing the news. I would never forget how I was overwhelmed with that.

2. Could you tell us when you were determined to start your career as a fashion model?

My childhood dream was to become a baseball player. I started playing baseball at the age of 10. I kept at it into high school, but one day, my shoulder got injured, which stopped me from pursuing the sport any more.

After that, I entered a university to which I didn't want to go and got sick and tired of being stuck in a rut. I needed something new, something different. Suddenly, I felt a rush of ambition to become an actor. I didn't know how or where to start.

Then, I was lucky enough to run into one of my high-school seniors, who had been working in the entertainment industry. He led me through the first steps of becoming an actor, which was to model in a fashion show. The more shows I was in, the happier I felt.

As well as being on the runway, I was also involved in shootings for magazines. I felt so proud to see myself, dressed up and clean cut, posing for photos.


3. What do you think is the biggest reason such great Italian fashion designers kept their eye on you?

There are so many fashion brands and they all have different styles and images of their own. I think I might represent the very feeling that the designers want to reflect in their designs. I think that they like my upward, long single eyelids and Asian looks.

Western models aren't that tall. Rather, Asian models are much taller. My height [he is over 188 centimeters tall], long, straight limbs and balanced figure might also be the key forces that have drawn their attention.

4. Do you notice any difference between Korean and Italian fashion as you've been traveling between the two countries?

Koreans tend to be very self-conscious about their fashion, while Italian fashion has some sort of "freedom." What Italian people wear is a fashion in itself. Wherever you go, be it in a store or in a bus, the clothes worn by the people you come across are a form of fashion.

However, I can see many changes happening in Korean fashion these days. Especially, in Garosugil in Sinsa-dong or in Dongdaemun, in central Seoul, there are many stylish young people. Actually, I've heard many of my foreign friends saying, "Why are young Koreans so fashionable?" or something. I think Korean fashion is getting more refined and trendy, and more young people are having an interest in fashion.


5. Fashion shows, especially overseas, usually have an inclination toward Westerners. As an Asian model, have you ever had difficulties in such a Westerner-studded fashion world?

Communication is the hardest part. Once, we had to move to Florence, a four-hour drive away from Milan. While traveling, I didn't say a word, while the English-speaking guys—all except for me—were chatting with each other.

I was as dumb as an oyster all day long and just did my work without talking to any of them. I felt left out. I realized the necessity of learning English.

6. What's the most memorable fashion show you've been on?

It is definitely the John Varvatos show. It was my first Milan show. It remains deep in my memory, stronger than other, bigger shows, like the Diesel show.

What surprised the newcomer [me] was a buffet stretching out backstage for models to eat between sets. I realized, "Milan isn’t called the hub of fashion shows for nothing.”

After the show, a wave of emptiness overwhelmed me. I was like, "Is that all? I tried so hard, and it was all just for this?" The run-up to the show really made my heart pound, but when it was all finished, I felt a sense of emptiness.

7. When has been your happiest moment as a fashion model?

I feel happy when I have a job, I mean, when people call and ask me to show off their designs on the catwalk or to be photographed for a fashion magazine, whatever. I feel proud of myself when I have a job to do.

8. What does “modeling” mean to you?

It gives me a chance to look back on myself and to get more mature and stronger. I experienced bitter failure in sports and I chose modeling as a second-best career. This job has made my twenties full of fancy, extraordinary and happy times, times that other people my age might never even taste.

When I had no choice but to stop playing baseball, I lost confidence. Since I set foot in this business, however, I’ve gained a lot of confidence, as I have showed off my walks in front of many cameras and many audiences. Now, I am happier than I was when I played baseball.

9. What’re your future plans?

I dream to be in a Gucci show. I still have so many shows and so many things I want to do. One of them is to appear in commercials. Also, I want to become an actor. If I am to be given the chance to act, I hope it would be a very masculine role. I will try hard to achieve all those goals.

By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
jiae5853@korea.kr