Actress Jung Yu-mi (정유미) recently captivated K-beauty fans with her elegant charm in a Cartier photoshoot. This feature goes beyond a simple fashion trend, aligning with the growing importance of 'reliability' and 'intrinsic value' in the K-beauty market.
Jung Yu-mi's 'Restrained Beauty' and Cartier
In the photoshoot, unveiled on October 2, 2026, via Allure Korea, Jung Yu-mi expressed 'the value that becomes clearer the more it is restrained.' She wore white gold 'Clash de Cartier' earrings, which can be styled in multiple ways, along with a white, yellow, and pink gold 'Trinity' classic ring and a yellow gold 'Clash de Cartier' small ring on her right hand. Notably, the 'Clash de Cartier' double row ring in pink gold with brilliant-cut diamond pavé setting and the 'Juste un Clou' ring further accentuated her strong presence. Her elegant look was completed with Recto's pleated high-neck top, Jaybaek Couture's double-breasted jacket and tailored pants, and Leha's sleeveless top.
Jung Yu-mi's 'Authentic' Style Philosophy
In her interview, Jung Yu-mi revealed her firm style philosophy. She stated that she prioritizes comfort and intrinsic value, saying, "I think about 'what makes me more comfortable when I wear it,' and that becomes my preference." She added, "Even a plain T-shirt needs to have good material. Regardless of the price, if the neckline feels stiff or it's uncomfortable to wear, I won't buy it anymore. When I was younger, I just bought things if they were pretty," emphasizing her evolving taste and practicality over time. She also shared a small everyday habit, mentioning, "I recently lost two rings I really liked. I have a habit of wiping the parts that touch my skin with alcohol before storing them, and I think I lost them that way."
Styling is also a crucial element in acting. Jung Yu-mi mentioned that the looks from her dramas Discovery of Love and I Need Romance garnered significant public attention. She said, "Even if my character spoke bluntly in the drama, if I wore cute and pretty clothes, I seemed less unlikeable. It was the first time I had that experience." For the Netflix series The School Nurse Files, she emphasized the importance of character-specific styling, stating, "I wouldn't have been able to act that well without the costumes created by Director Lee Kyoung-mi (이경미), the art team, and the makeup director." Specifically for the character Ahn Eun-young, who was set to have many scars on her body, meticulous costume direction was implemented, such as ensuring "skirts were always long." In terms of makeup, she revealed her effort to delicately express the character's mood, saying, "I always change my eyebrow line for each project."
K-Beauty: Emphasizing Essence and Personal Preference
Jung Yu-mi's 'authentic' approach aligns with current trends in the K-beauty market. On October 1, 2026, Allure US highlighted K-derma (Korean dermatological skincare) for the third consecutive year, demonstrating confidence in K-beauty's technology and efficacy. This indicates a strong trend towards focusing on the intrinsic effects of products rather than just fleeting trends. Furthermore, on October 1, 2026, in a Thai Facebook community, specific K-beauty products like SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule 55ml and Torriden Solid In Ceramide Lip Essence and Cellmazing Lip Essence, which provide moisture for dry lips, garnered local consumer interest after being mentioned as products used by idols. In this way, K-beauty is solidifying its position in the global market by offering diverse options to consumers seeking products tailored to their individual skin concerns and preferences.
The Future of K-Beauty: Authentic Value and Communication
The 'restrained beauty' and 'authentic preferences' that Jung Yu-mi showcased through her photoshoot and interview suggest the direction K-beauty should take. Rather than simply chasing trends, it's crucial to focus on the intrinsic efficacy and ingredients of products, as well as their positive impact on individual users' skin. For K-beauty to continue receiving global love, it must, like Jung Yu-mi, concentrate on essence, genuinely communicate with consumers, and deliver trustworthy value. These efforts will be the key driving force for K-beauty's sustainable growth.
