New Faces in New Places: Mimi Models in Seoul
Welcome to my unfiltered weekly series documenting my 75-day Korean modelling adventure.
Between February and May this year I ventured to Seoul, South Korea. Where I lived with complete strangers who turned into lifelong friends, did some crazy shoots (some bad, some good), hiked mountains, frolicked through palaces, and had both the best time ever and the most stressful!
This series is the very unfiltered reality of modelling abroad. Not just the glossy photos you see online, but the behind-the-scenes: panic attacks at airports, chaotic jobs, navigating a new city, and slowly figuring things out on the other side of the world.
I shared absolutely EVERYTHING along the way and now I'm back home you can catch up on it all at once!
Week 1: Mimi goes to Seoul!!!
My first week modelling in Seoul was equal parts chaos and comedy -- panic attacks at airport security, six strangers in a model apartment, and a tiny dog licking my toes on my first job.
Jet lag, castings, chaotic industry moments, and my first glimpse into what modelling in Korea is actually like - it’s all in Episode 1 of my Seoul diaries.
Link below to read!!!
ONTO WEEK 2...
WEEK 1:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 2: Booked & Busy
Between back-to-back castings, a few last minute jobs, culture shocks and chaotic flea market adventures, I’m finally settling into Korean life - funky water, freezing shoots and all.
This week’s diary is a very honest, very funny glimpse into what being “booked and busy” abroad actually looks like.
Link below to read!!!
ONTO WEEK 3...
WEEK 2:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 3: Aoife's Arrival
Week 3 in Seoul was a whirlwind of unpredictable castings, industry highs and lows, and the long-awaited arrival of my best friend Aoife.
From surprisingly slow castings to peaceful Han River walks and a chaotic first night out in Itaewon, this debrief reflects the emotional rollercoaster and uniquely intense bonding that comes with modelling placements abroad.
Link below to read!!!
ONTO WEEK 4...
WEEK 3:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 4: Buddhism & Campaign Shoots
Week 4 in Seoul was equal parts peaceful and completely chaotic.
From exploring Buddhist temples to embarrassing myself at castings, and finishing it all off with an exciting campaign shoot where I had to juggle lemons!
The reality of modelling abroad isn’t always glamorous.
Link below to read!!!
ONTO WEEK 5...
(half-way point!)
WEEK 4:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 5: Exploring and Reflecting
Week 5 in Seoul was a slightly slower one.
Less castings, more time to think, which is always a dangerous combination.
A mix of vintage shopping in Hongdae (with mild emotional damage), coffee shop productivity, a confusing Chanel-inspired shoot, and finally taking myself off to Gyeongbokgung Palace for a few hours of calm!
Not the busiest week, but one that was very fulfilled and enjoyed.
Link below to read!!!
Sunday: Work Day & Castings
WEEK 5:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Vintage shopping in Hongdae
Friday: Guyeongbokgung Palace
Casting BTS & Korean BBQ
Midpoint in Seoul: The Reality of Being a Model Abroad
Midway through my Seoul placement and somewhere between thriving, spiralling, and becoming weirdly immune.
Think: model apartment politics, a continually empty fridge, a best friend turned city-wide celebrity, and me... calmly convincing myself I could be the next big thing by next week.
Link below to read!!!
ONTO WEEK 6... crazy!
Week 6: Hiking, Cover Shoots, and Van Cleef
Moving into the second half of my time in Seoul and I'm only now realising how much I haven’t done!
From cherry blossoms and an unexpectedly intense hike to shooting my first ever jewellery editorial (and COVER!).
This week was everything all at once - stress, surreal, and stunning.
Link below to read!!!
ONTO WEEK 7...
WEEK 6:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 7: From Unemployed to Uber Employed
A week in the life of a model in Seoul - and the emotional whiplash that comes with it.
From zero work to no time to even shower, this post dives into the reality of placement life: chaotic jobs, early call times, and the odd feeling of being appreciated and belittled.
Also sharing my extracurricular from last weekend... including making my own perfume, temple visits, and journaling a lot.
This week holds a mix of fashion, fatigue, and a bit of fantasy.
ONTO WEEK 8... wtf
WEEK 7:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 8: Three jobs, a Hike, and New Friends...
Uber-employment continues - huzzah!
Week 8 included three jobs - one of which was THE most traumatic job I've ever done. Two of which were lovely and with wonderful teams.
In between castings, I managed to explore more of Seoul and actually enjoy it. I hiked, caffeine(d) , and even made some new friends. You can read all about my tragic, sweet, funny, traumatic week below - 5 min read!
ONTO WEEK 9... penultimate
WEEK 8:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 9: Buddhist Temples to Balenciaga
Week 9 in Seoul started with five hours wandering around the National Museum of Korea taking notes like my life depended on it, and ended with me dressed in Balenciaga SS26 inside a conceptual fashion shoot on a tennis court.
In between there were vintage shops hidden around Mangwon, overwhelming fabric markets, chaotic food halls, peaceful temples, and one very bizarre day spent trapped inside a glass box for a shoot with Parker.
My penultimate week did not disappoint. 6 minute read below...
ONTO WEEK 10... FINAL
WEEK 9:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
My First Magazine Cover story in Korea...
The day has arrived... am I or aren't I on the cover of the magazine?
After shooting my first cover story last month, I finally got my hands on a copy and found out what they chose for the cover
...
Find out how hilarious their choice was - link below.
Week 10: Hiking Bukhansan & Profusely Packing
Somehow it’s got to week 10 and I’m now headed home from Seoul which means this marks the end of New Faces in New Places: Seoul Edition.
How on earth I have no idea, it simultaneously feels as if I just arrived but also as if I've been here for years!
From more confusing shoots and (some) emotional goodbyes to hiking Bukhansan and panic-packing my life back into suitcases - which then exploded - here’s a chaotic little recap of my final week modelling in Seoul.
MY FINAL WEEK IN SEOUL!!!
(currently crying)
WEEK 10:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
