Justin Kim (center) performs at West Springfield High School as part of a routine for the Mr. Spartan Competition and Homecoming Court. Photo courtesy of Justin Kim
Justin Kim never planned to be a model. The 23-year-old Springfield native’s parents encouraged him to pursue law or medicine. While studying law and society at George Mason University, Kim thought he might find a career with an agency like the FBI or criminal courts.
But during his sophomore year, a friend asked Kim if he could model for him at an upcoming fashion shoot.
“It was so random,” Kim said. “I told him, ‘No, I’m not your guy.’” But several weeks passed and the friend tried Kim again, desperate. This time he agreed.
The shoot went well, Kim said, and impressed a number of people, motivating him to enter a local runway event. Kim then signed with Georgetown-based T.H.E. Artist Agency and began working modeling gigs while finishing his degree at George Mason.
“It was complete culture shock going on set,” Kim said. “I feel most models don’t really intend on being a model, it just kind of happens. That’s what happened to me.”
One of the next big things to happen to Kim was being selected to appear on the 22nd edition of the popular reality television show “America’s Next Top Model,” which premiered Aug. 5 on the CW network.
AT A WATCH PARTY for the premiere in Georgetown, Kim was joined by fans and friends, including Renato Aronson, who has known him since the two were in first grade at Rolling Valley Elementary School.
“It was weird, really weird, seeing someone you grew up with on TV,” said Aronson. “It’s strange, but he fit right in, he didn’t look uncomfortable.”
In middle school, Aronson said Kim was self-conscious about his weight, which motivated him to pursue sports, fitness and develop a passion for keeping in shape. As a West Springfield Spartan, Kim played football, basketball and ran track.
Aronson remained close with Kim through middle school and high school, though Aronson attended Key Middle School and Robert E. Lee High School. Then both of them went to George Mason.
As Kim began to pursue modeling on top of college classes, Aronson said their close group of friends was with him each step of the way.
“If one of us makes it, we all make it,” Aronson said, “but we were real with him, from the beginning: This might not work out, it’s a hard business. We said be prepared for the best and prepared for the worst.”
Before Kim was accepted to “America’s Next Top Model,” he was rejected numerous times by other shows.
“He was getting really discouraged in the last year,” Aronson said. “We just supported him, he pulled through. This is really up his alley. It’s just awesome, see him work really hard, do school on the side and actually get his break.”
In addition to the potential boost to his modeling career (the show’s winner will receive $100,000 from Zappos Couture and be the face of their 2016 national brand re-launch, a fashion feature in “Nylon Magazine” and be offered a modeling contract with Next Model Management), Kim is also excited for the opportunity to represent Asian-Americans on the show.
“We’re underrepresented,” said Kim, whose parents Mike and Gye Sun are first-generation Americans from South Korea. “There are a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions, in society, the entertainment industry. They’re just represented in a manner in which it’s not taken seriously. I’m an Asian-American male, a 6 foot-2 inch model -- who is this guy?”
IN THE FUTURE, Kim plans to market his own brand of fashion-minded athletic apparel and give back to the community by organizing shoe drives.
“A lot of students don’t recognize their actual responsibility as a student, who represent their community -- he did,” said Vera “Woody” Woodson, who had Kim in her marketing class at West Springfield. “He has a responsibility to show what the possibility and potential is for students who may be interested in this across the United States.”
Woodson, who now teaches at South County High School, said she encourages her students to follow their passions, even if it’s not the direct job route.
“Justin said one thing he remembers from class is I said you can become your own brand,” Woodson said. “How you represent yourself determines a lot of your outcome, as well as your income. That stuck with him; it’s why he’s taken such a strong stance to represent his community and self well. He doesn’t want to be a flash in the pan.”
Woodson wasn’t able to make the premiere party, but texted with Kim the next day.
“What is this possibility of Tyra’s interest in you?” she asked him, referring to the show’s host and supermodel Tyra Banks.
“He said, ‘Everyone loves JSmooth.’”
“I won’t say the fame hasn’t gone to his head yet,” Woodson added, “but he is genuinely a nice guy. Finally nice guys do win.”