1. Kim Young-jin
Known for his work with BTS, stylist Kim Young-jin currently resides in Seoul, South Korea. In his youth, he often saved money to buy fashion magazines, igniting a passion for the fashion world early on. After graduating with a photography degree, friends suggested he try working as a stylist. Before taking on the role of the main stylist for K-pop superstars, Kim Young-jin worked as an assistant to the stylist of actor Jeon Jin-oh.
Alongside BTS, Kim Young-jin has collaborated with famous boy groups such as NCT 127, Super M, and the “national center” Kang Daniel.
“Whenever I style for a music group, I think about it as a fashion designer launching a collection. I can mix Comme des Garçons with Yohji Yamamoto, but the final styling must still convey the aesthetic that represents the overall concept. For me, the overall image is essential when creating styles for idol groups”, Kim Young-jin shared in an interview.
As someone who frequently works with male idols with massive fan followings, Kim Young-jin faces pressure from netizens. Nevertheless, Kim Young-jin’s stylings for artists often receive praise from industry professionals and fandoms alike. Speaking about his stylistic approach, he stated, “I try to combine the latest fashion trends with classic items. For example, mixing Levi’s jeans and sneakers with a Saint Laurent blazer.”
2. Wook Kim
Collaborating with K-pop stars from the biggest entertainment companies in South Korea, Wook Kim is a stylist with vision, talent, fame, and is highly sought after in the Korean showbiz industry. He is the mastermind behind the unique visuals of hit music videos like “Kill This Love” by BLACKPINK, “Obsession” by EXO, “Savage” by aespa, and “Don’t Call Me” by SHINee.
After completing military service, Wook Kim started working as a stylist for rapper Swings on the TV program “Show Me the Money 2”. He later became the chief stylist for the boy group EXO. Since then, Wook Kim has proven his capabilities with stylings that became trademarks for each era of the groups he collaborated with.
In an interview with the media, Wook Kim revealed that he doesn’t have any specific method in the process of styling for famous stars. He believes that becoming a part of the Korean music industry happened naturally because he always seeks to enjoy his working processes. The male stylist argues that fashion in the K-pop world doesn’t exist separately from global trends; instead, it evolves and develops based on the unique personalities and perspectives of each artist.
3. Park Min-hee
Park Min-hee has worked with BLACKPINK since 2017, and is the stylist behind many of the group’s sensational looks. Responsible for guiding the group’s style direction for six years, few know that BLACKPINK was Park Min-hee’s first client after graduating.
In particular, immediately after entering the industry, Park Min-hee sent an email to Choi Kyung-won, BLACKPINK’s stylist from their debut days. Surprisingly, that “fateful” email helped Park Min-hee land her dream job of styling for BLACKPINK.
Park Min-hee’s work principle is to engage in discussions to understand the desires of the artists she works with, rather than relying on personal expertise and taste.
It is partly because of this approach that BLACKPINK has successfully built a highly sophisticated and fashionable group and individual image.
Source: K14
