From the hills of Pokhara, Nepal, to the fast-paced fashion and entertainment world of South Korea — Puja Baral becomes the first female face of her nation on Korean screens.
In a groundbreaking moment for South Asian representation, Puja Baral has officially become the first Nepali actress to enter the mainstream South Korean entertainment industry, making history through her appearances in Korean dramas, films, and television shows. “My journey started with a dream in a small city of Nepal — Pokhara,” she shares.
Breaking into a highly competitive and often homogeneous field, Puja’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Originally from Nepal, she moved to South Korea with a dream — and against all odds, she turned that dream into reality. From overcoming language and cultural barriers to tirelessly refining her craft, she now stands as a proud representative of Nepal on global screens.
Puja’s story began in the scenic city of Pokhara, where her passion for fashion and performance first came alive. After completing her schooling at St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, she stepped right away onto the runway—literally and metaphorically.
Her big break came in 2021 when she was crowned Winner of “Mega Model Season 4”, one of Nepal’s top modeling TV reality shows aired on Image Channel—cementing her place as a rising fashion icon. Riding that momentum, Puja continued her journey in pageantry and proudly became a finalist in Miss Nepal 2024, the nation’s most prestigious beauty pageant representing Pokhara.
Between 2016 and 2025, Puja flourished in Nepal’s fashion industry. She walked in prestigious shows such as Amit Baral’s Haute Couture, Pashmina Fashion Show, Journey of Fashion XIX, Nepal Fashionista, Attire Fashion Night, and Heritage of Fashion and many more. She also worked on remarkable editorial shoots with Vogue Studio Nepal, OEN.SINCE2012 (UK), and other renowned creatives. Known for her grace, commanding walk, and versatility, Puja also choreographed fashion shows including Miss Gorkha, Chameli Fashion Show, and Nepal Fashionista 2024.
In 2022, she made a bold move—relocating to South Korea to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Smart Computing at Kyungdong University. But her modeling journey didn’t pause. Instead, it leveled up.
With her multicultural edge, language fluency, and unique presence, Puja transitioned seamlessly into the Korean entertainment world. By 2023, she wasn’t just modeling—she was starring. She became the first Nepali actress to appear in Korean dramas like Delightfully Deceitful and Wedding Impossible, and played the lead role in the short film ‘Nodaji’. She was also featured on major Korean broadcasting corporations such as KBS World and MBC TV.
Recently, Puja proudly represented Nepal on Korean national television through a cultural documentary show “I Love Korea”, which explores global perspectives on Korean culture. She shared her story and introduced Nepali traditions and values to Korean audiences, creating a powerful cultural bridge between the two nations.
Her modeling journey opened doors to acting, idol training, and a growing digital presence as a YouTuber under her channel “Puja in Korea”. Today, she is one of the most recognized Nepali content creators in South Korea, using her platform to guide hundreds of Nepali students seeking to study or live in Korea—sharing real, helpful insights through her videos.
Despite coming from a country with no prior presence in Korean entertainment, Puja carved out a space for herself—one strut, one scene, and one screen at a time. She now uses her growing influence to mentor aspiring talents and build bridges between Nepal and Korea.
Her achievements have already caught the attention of many young Nepalis dreaming of working in Korea. As the Korean Wave (Hallyu) continues to sweep the globe, Puja’s presence marks a turning point—one that can open doors for underrepresented talents across Asia.
Puja is currently signed under a South Korean agency. Her story is one of resilience, representation, and revolution.
“I want to be that face for the next generation—not just for Nepalis, but for anyone who dares to dream beyond borders,” Puja says. “I hope my journey proves that talent has no nationality, and dreams have no borders.”
Contact: Puja Baral ■ Email: [email protected] Youtube: Puja in Korea ■ Instagram: @_puja_baral ■ TikTok: @iampujabaral