8 times K-pop’s ‘sold-out stars’ reigned the fashion world: from BTS’ Jungkook’s Prada boots and Blackpink’s Jennie in Adidas to Rosé’s YSL coat, ‘Fendiman’ Jackson Wang and Exo’s Kai’s Gucci ring
A K-pop idol’s pulling power can be so strong that when they recommend or wear a product, it’s often guaranteed to immediately sell out. Especially the ones with a massive cult following.
This is so common that it’s cultivated the term “sold-out star” to describe these idols who have a “Midas touch”.
So which other “sold-out stars” reign the luxury fashion market?
1. Blackpink’s Jennie had people camping outside Adidas stores after posting a single picture
But the 27-year-old’s influence outside Chanel is also astounding. In a casual photo Jennie posted on Instagram in August 2022, she wore the Adidas Samba ADV Black model. Kbizoom reported that after Jennie posted the photo, fans lined up outside Adidas stores to get a pair, with some even camping overnight to get first dibs!
2. BTS’ Jungkook’s fans aren’t afraid to splurge for their idol
BTS fans, better known as ARMYs, are notorious for taking their love for the boys to the next level. The golden maknae (youngest member of the group) Jungkook has emptied the shelves of Prada not once, but twice!
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For the cover of the August 2020 edition of Vogue Japan, the 25-year-old wore Prada’s Nylon Gabardine Blouson Jacket. The US$3,000 jacket sold out online in 25 countries, according to reports.
Another time, during a live broadcast with the rest of the band members, Jungkook sported Prada’s US$1,200 chunky sole combat boots and almost immediately, they were grabbed by fans, per Koreaboo.
3. Blackpink’s Rosé clears YSL shelves
During the 2021 Blackpink online concert, The Show, the 25-year-old’s US$15,000 statement piece was an oversized YSL feather jacket and fans cleared the item from shelves within days, per Koreaboo.
4. G-Dragon’s collaboration with Nike sold out as soon as it released
Often regarded as the fashion powerhouse of K-pop, G-Dragon has his own fashion company Peaceminusone and items are constantly out of stock.
But outside his company, the 34-year-old’s collaborations with other brands are also quite successful thanks to his personal designs. One of his most successful collaborations was with Nike. Their Air Force 1 Para-Noise shoes were released officially in November 2019 but sold out worldwide within minutes, via Allkpop.
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5. BTS’ Jimin wore an LV pullover which also sold out, even though he wasn’t intentionally promoting it
In January 2021, the boys uploaded a video of themselves accepting a Louis Vuitton event invitation on their official Twitter. One of the members, Jimin, was dressed in Louis Vuitton’s Clock Intarsia jumper. Within the next 24 hours, the US$1,000 pullover became unavailable on the brand’s US and South Korea websites, per Allkpop. The same source stated that the 27-year-old wasn’t officially promoting the product.
6. Jackson Wang x Fendi collaboration sells out
Got7’s Jackson Wang is quite a presence in the fashion scene, repping multiple luxury fashion houses and having his own brand Team Wang.
But the brand that he seems to resonate with the most is Fendi. In fact, the 28-year-old is occasionally also known as “Fendiman”, named after one of his song titles, and because of his long ongoing relationship with the brand, via WWD.
In 2019, the Hong Kong-born K-pop star unveiled a collaboration with Fendi in which he himself took part in designing the items. Given Wang’s huge popularity in China, Soompi reported the limited-edition collaboration immediately sold out following its initial launch.
7. BTS’ V wore a Tom Ford suit and shortly after, it sold out
Kim Tae-hyung, better known by his moniker V, has been dubbed the “out-of-stock fairy” because his merchandise is almost always the first to sell out in the seven-member group.
And the 27-year-old continues to prove himself as a “sold-out king” after causing a US$5,000 Tom Ford grey suit to sell out in 2020, per Allkpop. He wore the suit for a photoshoot posted on BTS’ official Twitter, appearing sharp and charismatic.
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8. Exo’s Kai’s unintentional Gucci “friendship” ring
In 2019, Exo’s Kai became Gucci’s first-ever South Korean global ambassador, and he proved he was truly a “sold-out king” by causing the brand’s items to sell out quickly.
According to Koreaboo, the ring immediately sold out as fans rushed to get their hands on the accessory that they have since deemed as their “friendship” ring with Kai.
- It’s no wonder that LVMH is betting big on some K-pop idols – called ‘sold out stars’, they’ve got the selling power over their legions of fans, from wearing brands like Prada and Gucci to Nike
- BTS’ Jimin, a new rep for Dior, wore a Louis Vuitton jumper that sold out – same with V’s US$5,000 Tom Ford suit; meanwhile, G-Dragon’s collaboration with Nike saw its shelves cleared within minutes