Event: Busan Film Festival (부산국제영화제)

To celebrate cinematic art, Korean stars came out last October 6, 2011 to attend the kick-off of the 16th Busan Film Festival (부산국제영화제) held at the Busan Film Center. 

The Busan Film Festival (부산국제영화제) featured 307 Korean and other-language films from October 6 - 14, 2011. 13 of these films from 12 countries vied for awards in the New Currents section of the festival's awards. Wear and Conquer is happy to report that the two top winners hail from Asia. Iranian director Mortez Farshbaf's film "Mourning", and Filipino director Loy Arcenas' film "Niño" garnered the top two honors.

Here are some photos of Japanese and Korean celebrities on the red carpet:

Min Hyo Rin (민효린)

Yoo In Na (유인나)

Nam Gyu Ri (남규리)

Lee Yoon Ji (이윤지)

Odagiri Joe (オダギリ ジョー)

Jay Park/Park Jae Beom (박재범)

News: Asian Pop Show, Philippine Headliner

Photos: Asian Pop Show

K-Pop: Hwang Woo Seul Hye (황우슬혜) Criticized for wearing "Bathrobe Dress"

Actress Hwang Woo Seul Hye's dress (황우슬혜) worn during the premiere of her film, "White - The Cursed Melody" (화이트:저주의 멜로디) has garnered attention as it has been criticized as "humiliating bathroom style fashion". Hwang Woo Seul Ye wore a pink wrap dress with a thick ribbon that closely resembled a bathrobe. She explained her style choice in an episode of MBC FM4U's show, "Blue Night, This is Jeong Yeop" (푸른 밤 정엽입니다), by defending Kodi, the dress' designer - "We want to challenge fashion and revert back to those times when artistes could choose their clothes", reflecting the importance and nobility of fashion. 

"White - The Cursed Melody" will be in theaters, 9 June 2011.

Source: style M
Paraphrased Translation: Aisa de la Cruz
Photo: Bloomberg Photo Gallery

Personally, I like what she wore! It does look like a bathrobe, but it's still cute. Thumbs up for Woo Seul Hye's style bravery!

News: Middle-aged men want to wear like actors Cha and Kim

All over the world, middle-aged men look up to the likes of George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Antonio Banderas for clothing styles. So who do South Korean men look up to? They look up to actors Cha Seung Won (차승원) and Kim Myeong Min. Here's the latest men's (or should I say ahjusshi (아저씨)?)  trend news from Korea Herald:

Middle-aged men want to wear like actors Cha and Kim

Men in their 40s have chosen actors Cha Seung-won and Kim Myeong-min as fashion leaders they want to imitate. 

A survey by Chaeil Industries showed 14.5 percent of men wanted to dress like Cha and Kim. 500 men between the ages 40 and 49 were surveyed.

The department head of Galaxy marketing team Han Ju-young said the survey was conducted to get a glimpse of the sense of taste and the tendencies of men in their fourties. “It seems like Cha was voted for his classy style and Kim for his charismatic looks,” Han said. 

By Yun Suh-young (syun@heraldm.com)
Intern Reporter

Source: Korea Herald

Photos: Dramabeans and MyungMinInternational

May Magazine Cover and Photoshoot: Jeon Ji Hyeon for High Cut

Jeon Ji Hyeon (전지현) is best known for her starring roles in Korean film modern-day classics such as My Sassy Girl (which is almost everyone's 'first' or 'favorite' Korean movie), Windstruck and Il Mare. Ji Hyun is decked in casual denim wear by Guess for High Cut.

Photos: yeinjee

News: Wedding Fashion Not Just for the Bride

Here in the Philippines, wedding fashion is definitely not just for the bride but for everyone involved. It's an interesting contrast to Korea, wherein wedding fashion is just starting to flourish. Here's the latest article from the Korea JoongAng Daily:

Wedding fashion not just for the bride

What was once been a casual private ceremony for stars has now turned into a pseudo red-carpet event. With a slew of recent celebrity marriages, photos of well-known wedding guests are splashing the pages of fashion magazines. Stars pose at the wedding for photos just as if they were walking down the red carpet of a film premiere, while fashion gurus sift through a list of the best and worst dressed guests.

And the public is taking note as to what is hot and what is not. Unlike banquets or award ceremonies, weddings are a part of everyone’s life at one point or another, so the fashion worn there can be easily adapted by ordinary people. Fans are running out to buy their favorite actor or singer’s dress or tux, so that they too can be the “It” girl or guy at the next wedding they attend. Here are some tips to add a touch of celebrity to your own wedding guest attire.

Add edge to the classic feminine dress

The textbook guest attire for women is a feminine dress or skirt. But being typical is not the trajectory that celebrities with a cut-above edginess take. Lee Su-mi, curator of fashion consulting company PFIN said that flamboyant dresses with frills and ribbon decorations are not a tempting choice for stars. 

“While ordinary women put on ladylike looks, stars prefer wearing luxurious yet chic [clothing],” explained Lee. 

For example, both actress Kim Min-hee and singer Lee Hyo-ri opted for wide pants instead of wearing fluttering skirts to recent weddings. The two fashionistas wore plain shirt-like blouses. 

Actress Shin Min-a also broke the golden rule of wedding-guest style by wearing a peach tuxedo jacket with short pants at the wedding of actor Jang Dong-gun and actress Go So-young. The jacket she wore was copied and is selling like hotcakes as the “Shin Min-a jacket.” 

“Putting on a tailored jacket or pants makes you look like a professional woman from the city,” stylist Choi Hye-ryun said. “But it would not look pretty to wear short pants if you don’t have slim legs.” 

 

1. Couples can get in the wedding spirit by matching the colors on the man’s tie or shirt with the woman’s accessories.

2. The key to wearing all black is to make it look fun, and not too dour like you are going to a funeral. A sleeveless, low-cut top or short skirt in black are perfect for spring or summer weddings.
3. You can wear the taboo white if you spice it up with a colorful bag or shoes. Black and white together are great for a more sophisticated look.
4. Wearing a jacket and pants in light pink or beige will make you look bright and seasonal

Finding the right combinations with black and white

It has long been taboo to wear all white to a wedding out of consideration for the bride. Instead, it is better for wedding guests to pick light pink, blue, ivory or beige. Notwithstanding, when it comes to wedding outfits chosen by stars, white is often a frequent choice. 

Stylist Choi said that whether white looks good depends on how you wear it, adding that a combination of white and another color can look smart. 

For example, actress Han Ga-in wore a white blouse with black pants at the wedding of actor Kwon Sang-woo and actress Son Tae-young. At Jang Dong-gun’s wedding, actress Kim Nam-ju’s white skirt matched well with a blue blouse. 

The key to wearing all black is not to look too stuffy or serious, like you are going to a funeral. One way to avoid this is to select a sleeveless, low-cut top or short skirt. 

“Adding a slightly different material like leather or satin will lift a dull mood,” stylist Seo Jung-eun said. “Picking bright shoes or a bag is another option.” 

Open-toe shoes are also a savvy way to make black look far lighter. 

Couples go with subtle color matching

Star couples often come to weddings matching. By harmonizing colors, a couple can get in the wedding spirit without looking too identical. 

At Jang Dong-gun’s wedding, actor Kim Seung-woo wore a sky blue jacket with blue pants that matched with his wife Kim Nam-ju’s blue blouse. Actor Yoo Ji-tae and actress Kim Hyo-jin always go with a “black and white” wedding-guest look. 

“If it is too much to wear the same color, take advantage of accessories,” stylist Park Man-hyun recommends.

Ladies can choose to match the color of their shoes with their partner’s trousers, or men can match their tie to their partner’s dress. 

Luxury brand sponsorship

Though weddings are private events, the attention paid to guests’ fashion has turned the wedding into another neck-and-neck race of style. 

“Stars cannot help but care about their looks whenever a camera flashes,” Park said. “More and more stars are getting advice from professional stylists.”

Luxury brands looking to get in on the trend are using wedding-guest fashion to promote their clothing and accessories. Celine, a French luxury fashion brand, has been a leader in this area. Actresses Shin Min-a, Son Tae-young and Ha Ji-won wore the brand’s products as wedding guests, and the clothes these stars put on sold out not long after the weddings. 

“Those who were not aware of Celine came to know the brand, and it helped [with sales],” a brand spokeswoman said.

Whenever a celebrity wedding is announced, luxury brands compete to sponsor star guests. A stylist who works with a celebrity guest might receive clothing from a slew of brands that want to sponsor the guest, but will choose only a few of the items to wear. Luxury bag and jewelry designers will often get word of what guests are wearing to an upcoming wedding and then suggest accessories.

Some celebrities, however, will try to hide the fact that they were sponsored by a luxury brand. They will mix and match different brands together to avoid rumors that they are promoting a certain brand of clothing. 

While luxury sponsorship is not an option for most people, there is no shortage of look-alikes for the fashion conscious. 

By Lee Do-Eun and Kwon Hyuk Jae


Source: Korea JoongAng Daily

May Magazine Photo Shoots: Ceci Korea

Two Korean female celebrities who played memorable character roles in various television series and one famous girlfriend are featured in this month's edition of Ceci Magazine: Kim So Eun (김소은), Park Han Byul (박한별) and Jung Ryeo Won (정려원).

Kim So Eun (김소은) is an actress and model who gained popularity  for her role as Cha Ga Eul (추가을) in the series Boys Over Flowers (꽃보다 남자). She also appeared in films such as Fly, Daddy, Fly (플라이 대디) and The Show Must Go On (우아한 세계). She is featured wearing bright, neon-colored clothes in the editorial, reflecting the color-block trend for the season.

Jung Ryeo Won (정려원) is another actress-model who gained popularity via a TV series, this time in MBC's My Name is Kim Sam Soon (내 이름은 김삼순). She starred as Yoo Hee Jin (유희진), Sam Soon's (김삼순) main rival. Playful summer outfits is this editorial's theme.

Park Han Byul (박한별) is a television and film actress who appeared in shows like MBC's My Fair Lady (요조숙녀) and Fantasy Couple (환상의 커플) and SBS' Oh My Lady (오! 마이 레이디). She is also recognized as K-Pop star Se7en's girlfriend. Here she is wearing feminine, floral summer outfits.

Photos: kfashionqueen 1, 2 , twenty2 1, 2, 3

May Magazine Cover: Vogue Korea

Renowned fashion photographer Paolo Roversi shot the cover of Vogue Korea's May 2011 issue. The cover features three of South Korea's top models, Hyun Yi Lee, Han Hye Jin and Hye Jung.

The following articles and editorials are also in store for you, so grab a copy now!:

Show Me the Trend

Skin Terrorist

Magic of Light

Never Ending Story

The Blooms Day

1, 2

Photo: designscene

May Magazine Photoshoot: Han Chae Young for Elle Korea

Han Chae Young is one of my favorite Korean female celebrities. She looks absolutely stunning and is featured in one of Elle Korea's editorials for its May 2011 issue.

Photos: soompi

May Magazine Photoshoot: Harper’s Bazaar Korea

Two Korean actresses, Lee Yeong Hee and Kim Tae Hee are featured in fashion editorials in the May 2011 edition of Harper’s Bazaar Korea.

Lee Yeong Hee is a contract artist from SM Entertainment. She appeared in many drama series, including “One Fine Day” on MBC in 2006, “East of Eden” which was also shown on MBC in 2008 and in “Paradise Ranch” on SBS this 2011. Yeong Hee was also in the films “Millionaire’s First Love”, “M”, “My Love” and “Hello, Schoolgirl”. She is widely known as the “SME MV girl (SM Entertainment Music Video girl)” as she has appeared in many music videos of her labelmates including SHINHWA, Moon Hee-Jun, Kangta, Zhang Li Yin, DBSK, Fly to the Sky, Clazziquai and SM the Ballad. In this photo shoot, Lee Yeong Hee is featured in the latest Vanessa Bruno collection.

Kim Tae Hee has been noted for appearing in many successful drama series, including “Stairway to Heaven” on SBS in 2003, Forbidden Love on KBS and Love Story in Harvard on SBS in 2004, IRIS on KBS-2 in 2009 and most recently on MBC’s My Princess. She also appeared in several films including “The Restless”, “Venus and Mars” and the film adaptation of IRIS. Tae Hee is also a known product endorser and has appeared in CFs for Samsung, Olympus, Cyon and Lotte Zec just to name a few. In this photo shoot, Kim Tae Hee is featured relaxing on a beach wearing navy, white and sand-colored outfits.

Photos: allkpop and twenty2