The Work Hyeonkyu William Puts In Before the Stage
Korean model and aspiring actor Hyeonkyu William reflects on the grooming, preparation, and mindset he brought to Manhunt International 2026 in Sri Lanka
Hyeonkyu William is a Korean model and aspiring actor who recently competed at Manhunt International 2026 in Sri Lanka, placing as 8th runner-up among 34 other contestants, but he sees pageantry as part of a wider path ahead.
He believes every day counts, making consistency central to his approach. That mindset shaped how he prepared, from improving his communication and stage presence to maintaining his grooming routine.
For William, those details were part of being ready for the stage. The work started long before the competition itself.
Grooming as part of the routine
The work behind Hyeonkyu William’s Manhunt International preparation was built on repetition. Grooming, training, stage movement, camera work, and communication became part of his daily routine as he prepared to represent Korea in Sri Lanka.
“For me, grooming is part of being prepared. When you take care of yourself consistently, you feel more comfortable and ready when it is time to step in front of the camera.”
That same discipline brought him a top 10 placement in Sri Lanka, giving him valuable modeling and acting experience. William integrated grooming into his daily routine, viewing consistent self-care as essential preparation rather than mere appearance.
The preparation also extended to communication. William wants to continue improving the way he speaks and expresses himself, recognizing that strong communication is just as important when representing himself on an international stage.
“I want to keep improving how I speak and communicate, especially when representing myself and my country on an international stage.”
Carrying Korea on the pageant stage
Representing Korea also meant navigating an image of the country largely shaped by Korea’s presence in media through K-pop, K-dramas, and more, but William believes those global exports show only one part of Korean life.
“Many people watch K-dramas and Korean films and assume everyday Koreans are very different. But in reality, people are quite similar everywhere.”
He hopes his work can contribute to a broader understanding of contemporary Korean culture beyond entertainment.
“I want to help promote and share authentic, contemporary Korean culture with a broader international audience.”
For William, representing Korea is not only about carrying the country’s name onto an international stage. It is also an opportunity to show a more personal and contemporary side of where he comes from.
Building the physical foundation
William’s physical preparation focused on consistency. His routine included daily workouts, functional training, and high-intensity intervals, supported by a high-protein diet to help maintain his stamina.
“I focused on building my strength and stamina rather than trying to change everything at once. The most important thing was staying consistent with the routine every day.”
He approached the process one day at a time, allowing the training to build gradually without putting unnecessary pressure on himself.
“The goal was not to push myself until I was exhausted every day. It was about building a routine I could maintain and making sure I was fit for the competition.”
That consistency gave him a physical foundation for the long competition days while reinforcing the discipline he hopes to carry into his work in modeling and acting.
The preparation continued beyond the gym. William worked on his stage deportment, including his walk, camera angles, and the way he carried himself in front of an audience.
“You have to practice, understand how you move, and make sure you are comfortable when the cameras are on.”
That preparation came together at Manhunt International 2026 in Colombo, where William represented Korea and was placed as 8th runner-up. For someone pursuing modeling and acting, the experience also allowed him to sharpen skills that extend beyond the pageant.
Redefining strength
William also brings a personal perspective to masculinity, questioning the expectation that men should always hide stress or vulnerability. For him, strength comes from knowing yourself, taking responsibility, and being honest about what you experience.
That outlook was shaped by a period of uncertainty about his future and whether he was on the right path. Rather than allowing those doubts to define him, he learned to focus on how he responded to difficult moments.
“Difficult times don’t define you. What matters is how you respond and keep moving forward.”
The people behind the journey
Family has remained an important source of support throughout William’s path. Their encouragement helped him through difficult moments and gave him something to hold onto when nerves set in during the competition.
“When I feel nervous, I remind myself how deeply my family believes in me.”
Wearing “Korea” across his chest carried that support with him. For William, being proud of where he comes from does not have to conflict with wanting to explore opportunities beyond it.
“You don’t have to choose between your roots and your global ambition.”
His 8th runner-up placement at Manhunt International 2026 now forms part of his larger path in modeling and acting—one shaped as much by the preparation behind the stage as the moment he stepped onto it.
Photography Jharwin Castaneda
Art direction Summer Untalan
Grooming Krystal Jet Bintocan
Hair Leyeds Caysip
Photography assistants Aljon Celis and Joshua Navato
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