Every move a beauty makes naturally captures attention! Actress Moon Ga Young recently appeared in a starkly different look, boldly experimenting with a style transformation that instantly surged to the #1 trending spot on South Korean online portals.
Moon Ga Young recently attended the “2026 Marie Claire Asia Star Awards,” co-hosted by fashion magazine Marie Claire and the Busan International Film Festival, where she received the “Beyond Cinema Award”—an honor dedicated to recognizing actors actively performing on both Asian and global stages.
The moment Moon Ga Young stepped onto the carpet that day, she dazzled the crowd with an image noticeably distinct from her usual style. Featuring sharper, more defined eye makeup, she achieved a striking, intense look. Her bangs were parted to both sides in a trendy “perilla leaf” style, adding a touch of unique individuality to her overall vibe. Netizens flooded the comment sections, reacting: “Her eye shape looks totally different, I was shocked,” “She looks even more refined,” “Her features seem more defined,” and “It’s probably just a difference in styling.”
In recent years, Moon Ga Young has expanded beyond acting to serve as a global ambassador for multiple brands, demonstrating her versatility. In the film Once We Were Us, released last December, she portrayed “Jeong-won,” receiving widespread acclaim for her delicate depiction of the complex emotions within realistic romance.
Upon receiving her award, Moon Ga Young shared, “I am truly happy and grateful to receive such a meaningful award. This year, I’ve felt an especially strong wave of love and attention. Rather than focusing on the result of any single moment, I think first of the people who have walked this path alongside me. I sincerely thank everyone who allows me to shine.” She concluded with a promise: “Moving forward, I will continue to deeply reflect on my acting and press onward without hesitation. Thank you all once again.”
Born in 1996, the 30-year-old actress will return to the small screen in tvN’s upcoming drama Whale Star: The Gyeongseong Mermaid, slated to air in 2027. Adapted from the popular Naver webtoon of the same name, the series is set in 1926 Gyeongseong. It tells the story of Heo Su-a (played by Moon Ga Young), a maid in a pro-Japanese household who rescues Kang Eui-hyeon (played by Choi Woo Shik), an independence activist lost at sea. The drama depicts the passionate, brilliant romance between young adults striving to protect both their love and their homeland during a tumultuous era. Whale Star: The Gyeongseong Mermaid is currently filming and is expected to wrap production in the first half of next year.
