한국 스타일 (South Korean Style)

Thanks to PSY and his hit song "Gangnam Style", the dynamic South Korean modern culture is finally getting the attention it deserves. Though South Korean pop acts such as Dong Ban Shin Ki, Super Junior and Shinhwa and drama series have captured the hearts and minds of many people worldwide, none of the efforts have caught the public's eye as much as the song and the music video (Sorry Wonderfuls, "Nobody" didn't make it THIS BIG in such a short span of time).

The music video has spawned "parodies", with some of them depicting subcultures in other South Korean cities, such as Hongdae and Busan. Gangnam and Hongdae are both districts in Seoul, with the former known as the "Beverly Hills" of South Korea, and the latter known because of its youthful culture, thanks to the universities around it. Busan is an urban coastal area, known for its beaches and ports and equally colorful metropolitan culture.

So if you want to dip into South Korean culture and get good laughs, I suggest you check out these three videos.

강남스타일 (Gangnam Style)

 

홍대 스타일 (Hongdae Style)

 
부산 스타일 (Busan Style)

News: HyunA's New Baby: HyunAXSPICYCOLOR

4minute's HyunA will be launching her own fashion brand, called HyunAXSPICYCOLOR. The brand's design concepts are 'retro, chic and sexy' and highly inspired by the fashion of the 1950s and the 1960s. HyunA is involved in all aspects of the brand, from conceptualization, clothing design to the photo shoots.

She stated, "Although as an artist I did show a lot of sexy concepts, for this brand which will be launching at the end of March, I worked very hard to delivers styles that are not only sexy, but also fashionable and stylish. For this spring, if you own a single item mixed with lace, anyone can easily complete a trendy look.” 

Let's all watch out for this and wish HyunA best of luck! Also hopefully she puts up an online store so foreign fans can also enjoy wearing her fashion.

Photo and News Source: 4minuteAUSTRALIA

K-Pop: K-Collection ( K컬렉션) in Seoul Fashion Concert

The K-Collection in Seoul Fashion Concert was held last March 11, 2012, Sunday at the Olympic Park Gymnasium Stadium. The event was presented by Korea Tourism Organization, and featured performances of hit K-Pop artists such as MBLAQ, Infinite, Big Bang, Nine Muses, Girls Generation, IU, Secret, T-ara, Miss A and Tiger JK. The fashion show featured collections by 2PLACEBO, 8seconds, BAEZUAN, Castel Bajjac Lignee, GUMZZI, ippngirl, JOAS, Joegeunshop, Kappa, Naingirl, pink page, Suen, Skin Food, Style Nanda, toe, V Company. MBLAQ's Lee Joon and IU also walked the runway.

Here are some photos from the fashion show:

And here are some photos of the performances:

Girls' Generation

Infinite

Nine Muses

Big Bang

Photo Sources: BNTNews, Chosun Ilbo, Bulgarian News Agency, allkpop, vitadolce-moderato@tumblr, theinfinite7@wordpress

K-Pop: Fashion Fierceness in Girl Group MVs

Cuteness sells, but sophistication lasts. Because of its current rarity, fashion fierceness in girl group MVs is a delight to see. Here are three of the most stylish MVs from 2009 - 2011 that truly embodied the word "FIERCE" for me. This isn't biased on any group, really, so please NO BASHING! I'm monitoring comments so I'll only allow those that are intelligible and respectful. Remember, this is a Kor-Fil fashion blog, not a K-Pop site. Thank you.

3. After School (애프터스쿨) - Because of You (너 때문에 뮤직비디오)

Suffice it to say that this was the best video for me in 2009, sartorially speaking. That's because you can never go wrong with black, white, red, suits and asymmetrical styles. After School's ladies look naturally regal and their outfits in this video made their beauty shine even more. The romantic frocks were just bonuses for us to see.

2. Girls' Generation (소녀시대) - The Boys

We usually see them wearing boring, cutesy, matching outfits but as the SNSD babies are now ladies, their style was raised by about twenty levels. Save for Taeyeon's awful pink streaks that made her look like a dingy club singer, everything in the video screamed "High Fashion"! The girls are indeed bringing the boys out this 2011!

1. 2NE1 - It Hurts (아파)

It's actually unfair to only name one 2NE1 music video because all of their music videos pack punch. However it's in this 2010 video wherein the ladies looked all dolled up from head to toe but at the same time maintained their edgy personality as 2NE1. Overall, the MV looks like it was done for a killer Vogue Korea editorial. And that's what makes it number one. Well, at least for me.

What's the most stylish, most fierce girl group video you've seen?

K-Pop: SME Artists' Airport Fashion for SMTOWN Paris (Incheon - Paris) Part III

Super Junior (슈퍼 주니어) members Lee Teuk (이특), Hee Chul (희철), Ye Sung (예성), Shin Dong (신동), Sung Min (성민), Eun Hyuk (은혁), Ryeo Wook (려욱) and Kyu Hyun (규현), together with f (x) [에프 엑스] member Victoria (빅토리아) flew from South Korea to Paris today, 9 June 2011 for the SMTOWN Live in Paris Tour from 10 - 11 June 2011. Super Junior members Dong Hae (동해) and Si Won (시원) flew from Tao Yuan Airport in Taiwan today as well.

Lee Teuk (이특)

Ye Sung (예성)

Ryeo Wook (려욱)

Shin Dong (신동)

Eun Hyuk (은혁)

Sung Min (성민)

Hee Chul (희철)

The usually stylish Lee Teuk (이특) opted for a much simpler look this time, as with Ye Sung (예성), Ryeo Wook (려욱) and Kyu Hyun (규현). Shin Dong (신동) looked adorable in his bright yellow checkered shirt and animal print sneakers and backpack. Hee Chul (희철), Eun Hyuk (은혁) and Sung Min (성민) were the most stylish among the lot, as they were really dressed to travel. Hee Chul (희철) wore a navy blue jacket with light teal pants and sneakers, while Eun Hyuk (은혁) wore a red jacket, white tank top and fringed and ripped stone-washed denim shorts. Sung Min (성민) wore an oversized black and white shirt with grey skinny jeans and a printed cap.

Victoria (빅토리아) managed to look sexy and street with a dark blue blouse and hoodie paired with cream stilettos and grey hobo bag.

Photos: Newsen, sup3rjunior and Hee Chul's YFrog

K-Pop: SME Artists' Airport Fashion for SMTOWN Paris (Incheon - Paris) Part II

Girls Generation (소녀시대) members sported various styles as they headed to Paris last 7 June 2011 for the upcoming SMTOWN Tour Live in Paris which will be held from 10 - 11 June 2011.

Girls Generation. Seo Hyun (서현), Jessica (제시카), Yoo Na (윤아), Tiffany (티파니), Yu Ri (유리), Sunny (써니), Soo Young (수영), Tae Yeon and  Hyo Yeon (효연).

Here's what I think of each of the girls' style. SONEs who are reading this, please do not get offended. These are my opinions and are not meant to bash the girls.

I absolutely loved Tae Yeon (태연)'s style. Her ensemble is first on the list. Her light mauve top with large black ribbon detail and off-white platform boots embodied cuteness and chic at the same time. Second on my list is Yu Ri (유리)'s nineties grunge look which fits her boyish, edgy charm. It's been a while since I've seen someone with a shirt tied to the waist, and thankfully, Yu Ri (유리) carried it well. I liked Hyo Yeon (효연) 's geeky kidult look too. Sunny (써니), Soo Young (수영) and Yoo Na (윤아) played a little safe by wearing sophisticated, ladylike outfits. I guess they were a bit too conscious of what the public and the media were going to say. Tiffany (티파니) looked less ladylike because of her boots but still wore something that is becoming a little too safe now. Jessica (제시카) and Seo Hyun(서현)'s styles were the ones that I liked the least. Jessica (제시카) looked somewhat messy - I dub her look "Rushing-to-a-magazine-staff-meeting-in-New-York" look. Asymmetrical hemlines are supposed to make you look young and trendy, but in her case it didn't. Lastly, Seo Hyun (서현)'s tasseled top also seemed so random. It's like something I'd pull out of my closet in haste.

Photo: Newsen

K-Pop: SME Artists' Airport Fashion for SMTOWN Paris (Incheon - Paris) Part I

Last 7 June 2011, SMTown artists f(x) [에프 엑스], SHINee (샤이니) and DBSK (동방신기) traveled to Paris for the SMTOWN Paris Live Tour that will be from 10 - 11 June 2011. Here are some photos showcasing their airport fashion.

f(x) [에프 엑스] members Amber (앰버), Luna (루나) and Krystal Jung (크리스탈). Amber (앰버) is wearing her signature boyish look while Luna (루나) looks cute in pastels and neutrals. Krystal  (크리스탈) looks semi-edgy in this black-and-white ensemble.

f(x) [에프 엑스]'s Choi Sulli (설리). Sulli (설리) sports a classic look with a navy sweater, dark teal shorts and messenger bag.

SHINee (샤이니) members Onew (온유), Tae Min (태민), Jong Hyun (종현), Key (키) and Min Ho (민호). While Onew (온유) goes for the preppy look and Min Ho (민호) sports a sleek, casual ensemble, Tae Min (태민), Jong Hyun (종현) and Key (키) decide to go over-the-top trendy. And as always, it works on them!

Fashion changes as you age. Senior idol group DBSK members Yun Ho (유노윤호) and Max Changmin (최강창민) still look great, but sport much tamer looks than their SHINee dongsaengs.

I will be posting photos of Girls' Generation in their airport fashion ensemble shortly.

Photos: Newsen, Sports Chosun and SMTown Facebook

Brand: Babi Doll

Netizens are all abuzz after photos of  hip-hop group One-Two (원투) member Song Ho Beom (송호범)'s wife, Baek Sung Hye (백승혜) wearing sexy swimsuits appeared on the online catalog for Korean brand Babi Doll (바비돌). Netizens were surprised to see her maintain a beautiful figure after all these years, with one netizen stating, "She's a baby doll indeed!". Gossip aside, here are some items that I liked from the catalog, including some of the swimsuits from the Summer Babi Collection. There are also items which are only available to members, so sign up so you can avail them! 

53,200원

67,500 원

49,700원

75,700원

Summer Babi Doll Collection

34,200원

35,100원

37,200원

Visit Babi Doll here.

Original News Source: BNT News 

Photos: Babi Doll Online Store

K-Pop: Lee Kiseop of U-Kiss (유키스)

So who's the most stylish among the boys of U-KISS (유키스)? Watch as the members answer "Kiseop!" in a recent interview for MTV K. Also, in an interview with Elle Girl Korea, U-KISS' certified ulzzang (얼짱) Lee Kiseop (이기섭) mentioned that he would have his uniforms back in high school altered to look more fashionable, and that one of his favorite designers is Vivienne Westwood. Interestingly, now even after high school, he's still into the schoolboy look. Here are some photos of Lee Ki Seop in preppy wear and stylish blazers:

Photos: theulzzangnamedleekiseop

Brand: Super Junior for SPAO Superhero Shirt Line

This summer, dress your personal superhero (read: your brother, your guy friend, your boyfriend or husband) in SPAO's Superhero Shirt Line. Here are some of Super Junior's fabulous boys wearing the Superhero shirts. The fingerless gloves and colored sneakers add funk to a collection that's already full of "punch"!

Dong Hae (동해), Sung Min (성민), Eun Hyuk (은혁), Lee Teuk (이특)
Si Won (시원), Kyu Hyun (규현) and Shin  Dong (신동)

Here are the shirts up close:

Photos: SPAO

K-Pop: After School Members' Individual Style as seen on tvN's "Taxi"

The ladies of After School (애프터스쿨) will be appearing on tvN's show called "Taxi". On the show they talk about guys and showering together. Interesting stuff, eh?

I'm featuring After School (애프터스쿨) because I noticed the members' fine individual styles. From UEE (유이)'s military green jacket, to Jung Ah (정아)'s cream-colored cover up, to Kahi (가희)'s wide-legged pants, to Joo Yeon (주연)'s lace top, to Bekah (베카)'s washed-out skinnies and long brown vest, to Raina (레이나)'s hair color, to Nana (나나)'s boots and finally E-Young (이영)'s shoes, you could see how these women are impeccably styled. I don't know whom to give props to - the girls themselves or their stylists? I guess I'll go with the girls. They all look well-coordinated despite their different personal styles.

Photo: allkpop

May Magazine Photoshoot: SHINee for Elle Girl Korea and Japan

Korean male group SHINee (샤이니) is featured in this month's Elle Girl for Korea and Japan. SHINee's fashion stands out among the other boy groups for its (almost) perennial quirky and colorful nature. They almost never wear matching stuff as individual style is their trademark. Even when traveling or when they're dressed in suits, the boys always seem to wear something trendy and edgy. And who knew it'd get them far with the ladies? Member Jong Hyun or Jjong caught the eye of hottie Shin Se Kyung, whom he is now currently dating! Jong Hyun (종현), Onew (온유), Min Ho (민호), Tae Min (태민) and Key (키) are featured in an editorial that reflects their unique take on menswear.

Onew (이진기/온유), Taemin (이태민) and Min Ho (최민호)

Jong Hyun (김종현) and Key (김기범/키)

Onew (이진기/온유)

Jong Hyun (김종현)

Key (김기범/키)

Min Ho (최민호)

Taemin (이태민)

Photos: KoreanUpdates