South Korean actress Moon Ga-young (문가영) rose to prominence with the hit drama True Beauty. Despite her innocent image, her fashion choices have always been bold and groundbreaking. Recently, Moon Ga-young appeared with a completely new look that left many netizens barely recognizing her. She attended an awards ceremony held during the Busan International Film Festival, where her stellar performance earned her an award, and her new hair and makeup style became a major talking point. In particular, her eye makeup was distinctly different from her usual style, prompting many netizens to exclaim, "I almost didn't recognize her," sparking heated discussion.
On October 7, Moon Ga-young attended the "2026 Marie Claire Asia Star Awards," co-hosted by fashion magazine Marie Claire and the Busan International Film Festival. She was honored with the "Asia Wide Award," recognizing her influence on international stages beyond Asia.
However, more than the award itself, her appearance that day unexpectedly stole much of the spotlight. Moon Ga-young departed from her usual style, showcasing a different overall makeup and hairstyle, with the changes in her eye makeup being particularly noticeable.
She enhanced her eye contours with makeup, making her eyes appear larger and more profound. Her bangs featured a style commonly known in Korea as "perilla leaf bangs," where the hair is parted to the sides, creating a distinctly different aura from her previous looks.
After her new look was revealed, it quickly sparked discussion online. Netizens commented, "Her gaze is so different, it startled me!" "She looks more fashionable," "Her features seem more defined," and "It must just be different hair and makeup!" Various opinions emerged online regarding her transformed appearance.
In recent years, Moon Ga-young has not only been active in film and drama projects but has also served as a global brand ambassador for several international brands, showing remarkable development in both her acting and fashion careers. In her film Later, We Loved (후유증), released last December, she played Han Jung-won, delicately portraying the emotional ups and downs of a realistic romance, earning considerable praise.
After receiving the award, Moon Ga-young shared her acceptance speech, stating, "I am truly happy and very grateful to receive such a meaningful award. This year, I've especially felt a lot of love and attention." She then revealed that rather than focusing on the achievements of a particular moment, she first thought of the people who have accompanied her on her journey, thanking everyone around her who helps her shine. Moon Ga-young also promised to continue to seriously consider her acting career, moving forward fearlessly, and once again expressed gratitude to everyone who has supported her.
Moon Ga-young, born in 1996 and currently 30 years old (Korean age), is also set to return to the small screen with a new project. She is expected to star in the tvN drama Whale Star (고래별), scheduled to air in 2027. The series is adapted from the Naver webtoon of the same name and is currently in production, with an expected broadcast in the first half of next year.
Set in Gyeongseong (경성) in 1926, Whale Star tells the moving love story of Heo Soo-ah (Moon Ga-young), a maid from a pro-Japanese family, who unexpectedly rescues independent activist Kang Ui-hyun (Choi Woo-shik (최우식)) after he falls into the sea. Their relationship intertwines love, patriotism, and the tragedy of their era. In a turbulent time, they become both the person each wants to protect and an inseparable belief in their hearts, making their youthful romance highly anticipated.
