The Korea Drama Awards Rookie Winner Stole Off-Stage Fashion Thunder
27-year-old Kang Hye-won proved she can wear literally anything—here are four completely different looks that prove the range.
- Former idol turned actress with chart-breaking range
- Four looks = four completely different fashion worlds
- She makes everything look effortlessly magazine-ready

Kang Hye-won is 27 this year and won the Korea Drama Awards for Best New Actress in 2024. She came up through *Produce 48*, where she was part of the visual line for IZ*ONE. Now she's locked down her career as a straight-up actress with roles in *Eighteen Again* and *Friendly Competition*. She's got real presence. At 163cm with that specific kind of lean frame where the bone structure is all there, she looks magazine-ready in literally everything. Former IZ*ONE visual, current actress—the range is wild. Her styling demonstrates just how much versatility matters when you've got the proportions and the face for it. Today I'm breaking down four completely different looks she's worn, so let's go.
① First look: black satin slip dress.

This is already hitting sophisticated vibes from frame one. The satin slip dress in black has those delicate straps and that glossy drape that feels elegant but also undeniably sensual. The neckline has this twisted detail that keeps it from being too bare, and her dark hair falls naturally long while her makeup sits understated. The effect is mature and genuinely chic. It's the kind of dress you wear to an awards show or somewhere that matters. One piece, black canvas, and she moves into completely sophisticated territory.
② Second: leopard print t-shirt.

This is giving confident cool-girl energy. It's a fitted short-sleeve leopard tee—fitted enough that it reads trendy and personal rather than costume-y. Animal prints are having this moment again, and she wears it without any hesitation. The brown leopard pattern sits somewhere between statement and subtle, and with her long wavy hair and refined makeup, it reads editorial rather than casual. She's proving you can do pattern without chaos. This is something to grab for weekend plans or a casual shoot.
③ Third: white puffed-sleeve dress.

Full innocence mode. The white dress has that square neckline and puffed sleeves that land somewhere between love-me and charming—it's sweet. The texture in the white fabric keeps it from feeling flat, and because she shot this in summer sunlight, it's glowing and luminous. Her dark hair down, natural makeup—it gives off that *Eighteen Again* era feeling, that nostalgic youth vibe. Very different from the satin noir moment just two looks back, but that range is part of her appeal.
④ Last one: brown bustier crop top with matching pants.

She's in structured power-dressing mode now. The tube-top bustier design is polished but also shows skin, reads confident without trying. The crop length hits right at the waist, and her proportions just sing. A black bag adds this downtown, seen-it-all edge to the look. The pose—seriously staring at camera in what looks like an actual apartment setting—makes it feel like real-world confidence, not runway. The proportions on her are just visible, which is why magazines keep requesting her.
So you've got elegant evening (black satin), confident casual (leopard tee), youthful romantic (white dress), and power dressing (brown bustier)—the spectrum is genuinely wide. She moves between all these worlds like it's nothing, and each piece fits like it was made for her. That's why she's suddenly everywhere.
"She moves between all these worlds like it's nothing, and each piece fits like it was made for her. That's why she's suddenly everywhere."



