1. He overcame his shyness to become a model

Hwang knew that he wanted to become an actor for a long time, often looking up to Jo In-sung for inspiration. But initially he wanted to become a fashion designer and studied the discipline at the Women’s College of Davao in the Philippines.

A piece of advice from his father has stuck with him since he was a child: “I live while doing what I want to do, so I am happy,” he said per Channel Korea. It’s what inspired him to pursue acting and modelling.

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“I don’t want to regret this. I don’t want to hold back any longer. And I felt like I was going to challenge my dream of becoming an actor,” he told An An magazine.

He began his modelling career with YG Kplus under YG Entertainment in 2017, at age 26. He walked runways for the autumn/winter Hera Seoul Fashion Week for brands like Noirer, Blanc de Noirs and Royal Layor.

2. He goes with the flow

Hwang doesn’t feel like he has to step on others’ toes to become successful. In fact, he prefers to just go with the flow. It’s his philosophy for not only acting but everything in life, he shared with Marie Claire.

“I don’t naturally think that I have to win or have to stand out. I don’t like to think that I have to surpass or beat someone to get to where I want to be. I want to go with the flow, as natural as possible,” he said. “If I’m good at something, I think that will show when the time comes. What I’m trying to say is that rather than trying to win, I just work hard.”

3. He wants to become an actor who people look forward to seeing

He may not be competitive by nature, but Hwang definitely has a career goal. He works hard so that he can become a successful and beloved actor who viewers anticipate seeing on their screens.

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“I hope there’ll be a moment when people say, ‘I hear Hwang In-youp is in this. I’m looking forward to it,’” he told Cosmopolitan. “If I could become an actor like that, whom people look forward to and whose acting people know they can trust, I don’t think there’s anything that could make me happier.”

4. He values his alone time

When it gets too busy, Hwang finds time and space to reflect on his thoughts – alone. The star enjoys having these moments of solace.

“I write down my thoughts and my inner desires and try to think of them simply. I spend enough time on my own. Rather than meeting up with people, I think it’s more appropriate and helpful to my current situation to listen to music and walk alone,” he told Marie Claire.

5. He’s ambidextrous and multi-talented

Much like his character Han Seo-jun in True Beauty, Hwang also has plenty of skills like singing, skating and riding a motorcycle, as demonstrated in the show. His vocal talents are particularly noteworthy.

“In school, reaching high notes was the mark of a good singer. That’s why I thought I was far from being a good singer. But through this drama I learned that it’s OK to sing in a calmer voice as well,” he told W Magazine.

He learned to skate as a kid and also acquired hobbies like swimming, skiing and martial arts including taekwondo, hapkido and kendo.

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You also might have noticed that he eats with his left hand but writes with his right. He actually trained this skill when he was little. “When I was a kid, I did everything with my left hand. My parents wanted me to at least write and kick with my right side, so I started to change that. When I throw a ball, when I eat food, I usually use my left hand. I write with my right hand, I kick with my right foot. I can use scissors on both hands,” he told the publication.

6. He is a fan of Pokémon

Hwang is known for his love of Pokémon. He once posted an adorable picture of a Pikachu doll on his Instagram and used an image of Ditto for his New Year’s greeting in 2021.

At the end of his interview with Cosmopolitan, the interviewer gifted the actor with Pokémon figurines. He couldn’t hide his happiness when unboxing the presents and gushed that Charmander was his favourite.