8 male Korean stars ruling the beauty world: from Astro’s Cha Eun-woo’s Dior Beauty gig and Got7’s Jackson Wang who reps Armani and Mac, to Exo’s Kai in YSL make-up and Lee Dong-wook for Boy de Chanel
The extraordinary influencing power of Korean stars can be felt across many industries today, from music and cinema to fashion and beauty.
So, who are the current South Korean “beauty kings” ruling the cosmetics world?
1. Astro’s Cha Eun-woo – Dior Beauty
On January 15, Dior Beauty shared an Instagram photo of Astro’s Cha Eun-woo posing for the brand’s new anti-ageing Capture Totale serum campaign.
The True Beauty star confirmed his role as ambassador for the Parisian fashion house last year in a photo shoot for Vogue Korea’s July issue.
Later, the 25-year-old attended Dior fashion shows in Paris and Cairo.
2. Gong Yoo – Tom Ford Beauty
In July 2022, Tom Ford Beauty introduced the Train To Busan and Squid Game star as its new ambassador in the Asia-Pacific region.
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The brand’s new attaché debuted in August with a campaign for White Suede, an elegant musk-inspired fragrance from the Private Blend collection with rich ingredients such as musk, rose, suede and sandalwood.
The 43-year-old is no stranger to beauty lines though. In 2020, he was also the muse of luxury skincare brand La Mer.
3. Exo’s Kai – Yves Saint Laurent Beauty
K-pop group Exo’s “dancing machine” Kai shows that he also has a pretty face in addition to an amazing body. Last year, YSL Beauty announced that he was a new rep for the brand, as he started appearing in its latest campaigns. Not only does he endorse YSL’s fragrances – the 29-year-old also wears make-up products from the brand.
4. Got7’s Jackson Wang – Mac Cosmetics
“Singer, producer, designer, director … and now Mac ambassador!” the brand announced on Instagram in August 2022. In the photo, the 28-year-old singer-songwriter poses with the brand’s Studio Fix Fluid Foundation.
Wang is no doubt a darling for many luxe brands. He’s been tapped as a rep for Armani Beauty, as well as other top-notch fashion names like Fendi and Cartier. He recently added Louis Vuitton to his roster.
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5. Seventeen’s Mingyu – Lancôme
Although several of Seventeen’s members have scored deals over the years, rapper Mingyu arguably has one of the best gigs with Lancôme – and he’s done plenty to show his love for the brand.
From promoting Lancôme products in magazine photoshoots to hosting live events, the 25-year-old has proven himself as a loyal brand ambassador.
6. Lee Dong-wook – Boy de Chanel and La Mer
Goblin star Lee Dong-wook made history in 2018 when he was chosen as the first face to model for Boy de Chanel, a male make-up line launched by the French fashion house.
The make-up line that he promoted consisted of three essentials: a foundation, lip balm and eyebrow pencil.
In 2021, Lee followed in his Goblin co-star Gong Yoo’s steps to become an ambassador of La Mer. Once again, the 41-year-old’s looks were appreciated with a La Mer rep stating that “his luxurious image and irreplaceable atmosphere fit well with the brand”.
7. Nu’est’s Hwang Min-hyun – Clarins and Guerlain
Nu’est’s former lead vocalist recently appeared in a February photo shoot for Elle Korea, where he promotes a serum from Clarins.
“We appointed Hwang Min-hyun as our skin care brand ambassador as his healthy skin and sophisticated image matched our brand well,” the brand stated. “Both Clarins and Hwang Min-hyun have a brand philosophy of responsible beauty.”
In 2021, the now 27-year-old became a model for Guerlain too, thanks to his “clean and clear image and his natural aura”, stated the brand.
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8. SF9’s Rowoon – Estée Lauder Korea
In January 2022, Rowoon starred in an ad for Estée Lauder Korea in which he puts on foundation and lipsticks from the brand. Besides Estée Lauder, he is also the face of Klavuu, Biotherm Homme and, most recently, Cleanup Beauty.
- The incredible influencing power of K-pop and K-drama stars has led to many brands snatching up these talents as ambassadors – like Tom Ford Beauty with Gong Yoo from Squid Game and Train to Busan
- Meanwhile, Seventeen’s Mingyu scored a deal with Lancôme, Nu’est’s Hwang Min-hyun has worked with Clarins and Guerlain, and SF9’s Rowoon has repped products for Estée Lauder Korea