Choi Ha Rin - South China Morning Post

5 Korean stars who love taking the metro: G-Dragon has a Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce and Bentley but still rides the train, while Park Bo-gum has said he’ll never give it up

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 02:00:17 +0000

Celebrities sure love their fancy wheels. Many of them even have entire garages of extravagant rides – and Korean stars are no exception. Fans are always curious to know who drives what, and how much it all costs. Exo’s Chanyeol, former Girls’ Generation member Jessica Jung and G-Dragon are among the many K-stars known to get around in luxury supercars. On the flipside, some A-listers seem to prefer more modest means of travel, like the metro. They even enjoy using it, although their managers...

5 things to know about NCT’s Doyoung: he’s K-drama star Gong Myung’s brother and is inspired by Shinee and IU – even covering her song from Crash Landing on You’s OST

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 00:00:16 +0000

Doyoung, the main vocalist of award-winning K-pop group NCT, turns 26 on February 1, with his birthday celebration coming hot on the heels of subunit NCT 127 winning the grand prize at the 31st Seoul Music Awards held on January 23. Everyone knows that Doyoung is the brother of Be Melodramatic star Gong Myung and that he made his debut in 2016, but how well do you really know the K-pop superstar? Here we highlight five things that you need to know about the NCT singer, actor and television...

Inside Big Bang’s Taeyang and Min Hyo-rin’s new luxury home – K-pop celebrities BTS, G-Dragon and Blackpink also live in the upscale Hannam neighbourhood dubbed the ‘Beverly Hills of Seoul’

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 03:00:23 +0000

It isn’t just blowout Korean celebrity weddings that arouse fans’ attention. When a male K-star who is dating splurges on a piece of residential property, his followers see it as a sign that the pair is preparing for their nuptials. Top Hallyu star Song Joong-ki bought a property in the trendy and upmarket Hannam-dong area just before his marriage, and fans are now guessing that Hyun Bin and his Crash Landing On You co-star Son Ye-jin will tie the knot soon – after he bought a penthouse in...

7 Korean stars born in the Year of the Tiger – and how their 2022’s looking, from K-pop girl band Twice’s Dahyun to Hellbound star Yoo Ah-in, and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’s Kim Seon-ho

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 05:29:07 +0000

The new year is here – and Lunar New Year is not too far away! As we enter the Year of the Tiger, you might already be reading predictions from fortune tellers – or wondering what this means for your favourite K-pop stars who were born under this bold Chinese zodiac sign. Here are seven iconic South Korean celebrities who were born in the Year of the Tiger, and their remarkable year ahead … 1. Kim Seon-ho’s comeback with the film Sad Tropics The year 2021 was certainly a dynamic one for Kim...

4 Korean celebrity couples’ luxury honeymoons – Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung splurged on a week in the Maldives while former K-pop idol Eun Ji-won jetted to Hawaii

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 02:00:20 +0000

A designer dress and larger-than-life wedding ceremony aren’t the only things celebrities splurge on to celebrate their big day. In fact, that’s often just the beginning. Korean stars often go all out on their honeymoon, jetting off to gorgeous beaches and luxury tropical destinations around the world. Do you have a dream honeymoon destination in mind? Check out these K-pop stars and actors’ honeymoon trips for inspo. 1. Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young spent US$5,300 for one night at Bulgari...

Life after K-pop: as Jay Park retires, here’s what 5 more idols did after quitting showbiz – from Ahn Eun-jin’s YouTube videos to Lee Ji-yeon’s chef career and Lee So-eun becoming a lawyer

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 08:52:33 +0000

After tweeting the words, “If I ever retire or disappear make sure to miss me” on December 30, then posting his decision to step down as CEO of AOMG and H1ghr Music on Instagram on the very last day of 2021, Jay Park further fuelled rumours that he plans to retire from the K-pop industry altogether when he deleted his Instagram account on January 1. If i ever retire or disappear make sure to miss me 🙏❤️ — JAY BUM PARK (@JAYBUMAOM) December 30, 2021 While this came as a huge surprise to fans,...

The real life Santas of K-pop: stars like IU, Exo and Bae Suzy love to treat their fans all year round – but which idol’s gifts were the most OTT?

Sat, 25 Dec 2021 04:00:16 +0000

Christmas is here! And while we all know that Santa only puts presents under the trees of the girls and boys that have been good on December 24, the world’s biggest K-pop stars seem to delight in treating their most loyal fans all year round. So who’s the most generous K-pop star when it comes to gift giving? Let’s take a look. How much did K-drama’s biggest stars make per episode in 2021? Hyuna gave fans Yves Saint Laurent products and customised blankets Former Wonder Girls member Hyuna’s...

K-pop idols’ most epic wedding dresses, from Lee Hyori’s US$120 vintage shop find and Eugene of S.E.S.’ Monique Lhuillier gown, to Crayon Pop singer Soyul’s A-line design with 3D detailing

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 07:18:29 +0000

OK, we often get to see what our favourite K-drama stars look like in a wedding dress, thanks to the dramatic demands of acting in series where romance most often takes a central theme. But when it comes to K-pop stars, we have to wait for the real deal. And that can be bittersweet, as fervent fans often do not come away too pleased when they hear their favourite idol is tying the knot (which is why, incidentally, so many stars keep their relationships secret). Still, a marriage is a beautiful...

10 rich Korean stars who had humble weddings, from Rain and Kim Tae-hee’s modest ceremony to Lee Hyori’s US$120 dress, and Netflix’s My Name star Park Hee-soon’s intimate nuptials

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 04:14:19 +0000

Celebrities are known for lavish, over-the-top wedding ceremonies complete with designer wedding gowns and star-studded guest lists. But some Korean stars have kicked off an intimate wedding trend, skipping opulent extravaganzas in favour of smaller ceremonies. Meet the Korean celebrities who chose to go low-key instead of making a splash on their big day. Lee Sang-soon and Lee Hyori Lee Sang-soon and Lee Hyori are known for kicking off the small weddings trend in South Korea. In 2013, pop diva...

4 times Korean stars had luxurious blowout weddings, from Jun Ji-hyun’s multimillion-dollar tiara to K-pop star Lee Hyori’s menu created by MasterChef Korea winner Kim Seungmin

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 02:00:20 +0000

Celebrities are known to go all out on their wedding days by splurging on their dress, venue and flowers. But K-stars like Jun Ji-hyun and Park Soo-jin went a step further, splashing on glitzy rings, cars and even a multimillion-dollar tiara for the occasion. Meet some of the K-stars who made history with their luxuriously OTT weddings … Jun Ji-hyun View this post on Instagram A post shared by 아이티웨딩 임은지플래너✨ (@with_eunpl) If you keep up with K-star...

Inside Shinee member Key’s new luxury mansion in ‘Seoul’s Beverly Hills’ – he’s now neighbours with BTS, Exo, G-Dragon and Girls’ Generation’s Sunny in Hannam-dong

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 04:50:43 +0000

It’s always satisfying to get a peek into the opulent homes of wealthy celebrities. With their multimillion-dollar net worths, it’s no surprise that the biggest K-pop stars live in dream homes, mostly concentrated in the Gangnam, Itaewon and Chungdam areas known for their expensive property prices in Seoul. Earlier this year, Shinee’s Key moved into a new luxury home. On an episode of MBC’s I Live Alone, the singer said he has been living by himself for eight years and gave his fans a tour of...

5 most OTT birthday gifts for BTS’ Jin from fans – from billboards in NYC’s Times Square and the ‘BTS Law’, to a water show in Peru and a life-size RJ doll from BT21

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 05:14:48 +0000

There’s no doubt that Jin is a sweet hyung (older brother) in the boy group BTS, as he loves to give memorable gifts to his fellow bandmates on their birthdays. But Jin himself is a deeply admired K-pop megastar with legions of fans who bestow him with outrageous gifts on his big day. As he turns 29 on December 4, here’s a look back at the most OTT gifts the global superstar has received over the years. Billboards and ads While adverts with celebratory messages for K-pop stars on huge screens...

K-drama stars’ most epic wedding dresses: Song Hye-kyo looked stunning in custom Christian Dior, Ko So-young donned Oscar de la Renta and Jun Ji-hyun picked two luxury gowns

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 07:35:33 +0000

For many brides, one of the most exciting aspects of their big day – besides saying “I do”, of course – is getting to don a gorgeous wedding gown. And no one does bridal style quite like Korea’s top celebrities. K-drama’s top 10 male luxury brand ambassadors, from Hyun Bin to Gong Yoo We checked out some of the most memorable wedding dresses worn by Korean stars over the years … Song Hye-kyo’s Christian Dior wedding dress We can’t talk about Korean stars and wedding dresses without mentioning...

K-pop idols with the highest-earning YouTube channels, ranked: BTS and Blackpink lead the pack, but how many millions did NCT Dream, Seventeen and IU rake in?

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 08:02:24 +0000

Alongside Instagram and Twitter, YouTube is a major social media platform where we can stream all sorts of content – including videos by our favourite K-pop idols. Many of these stars have their own channels where they vlog about their lives or share exclusive behind-the-scenes clips. And, of course, they earn some extra dough in the process. In August 2021, Forbes Korea revealed its list of celebrities estimated to have the highest-earning YouTube channels of 2021. Perhaps unsurprisingly, 16...

The Twice factor: how the K-pop queens are raking in millions off brand endorsements, from Estée Lauder and Nintendo to Pocari Sweat (and don’t forget those school uniforms for Skoolooks)

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 02:30:13 +0000

Good news, K-pop fans – Twice is making new music. The nine-member girl band – comprised of Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu – released their very first English single The Feels in October and teased their third album, “Formula of Love: O+T=<3” for a November 12 release – that’s today! 5 Korean stars who gained weight for TV and film roles But, like most of today’s pop stars, their earnings don’t just come from their music. The supergroup has also landed...

6 Korean celebrities who adopted abandoned dogs, from Blackpink’s Rosé and Netflix’s Sweet Home star Lee Do-hyun, to former Wanna One member Yoon Ji-sung

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 04:21:35 +0000

Celebrities are incredibly influential, there’s no doubt about that. Many stars use their platforms to raise funds or showcase their volunteer work, then encourage their fans to do the same. One issue in particular that’s been tugging on the heartstrings of Korean stars is abandoned dogs, and the celebrities on this list have not only given them loving homes, but raised awareness about the issue with heartwarming posts on social media. 5 Korean stars who gained weight for TV and film...

5 K-pop and K-drama stars who were exempted from military service, from Hospital Playlist’s Jo Jung-suk to rapper Simon Dominic and Forest star Park Hae-jin

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 04:57:46 +0000

Given South Korea’s military service requirement for its citizens, many K-pop and K-drama fans sadly anticipate the day their favourite stars need to take a 20-month break from the entertainment industry. While army duty is mandatory for all able-bodied South Korean males between the ages of 18 and 28, there are a number of Korean celebrities who got exemptions. Here’s a look at the stars who were spared … Why Koreans are only allowed to buy one Chanel bag per year Jung Woo-sung didn’t meet the...

Krystal Jung at 27: the star of F(x) and Netflix’s Sweet and Sour has come a long way since being snapped up by SM Entertainment at age six ... but what ‘controversial food’ does she love?

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 04:51:51 +0000

On October 24, Krystal Jung, the visual centre and lead vocalist of K-pop girl band F(x), turns 27 –making her five years younger than idol sister Jessica Jung. September marked the 12th anniversary of Jung’s debut, and she’s been on a tear ever since, with a number of hit dramas and films added to her repertoire recently too, including Netflix’s latest K-drama, Sweet and Sour. It seems safe to say that even at her young age, she’s achieved a lot. Here are five things you should know about...

5 K-pop idols with weird allergies: BTS’ Jin can’t eat garlic or potatoes, Twice’s Jihyo avoids pineapples and NCT’s Jeno is allergic to cats – but has 3 of them

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 03:37:43 +0000

Plenty of people suffer from common allergies such as cat dander or nuts – and K-pop stars are no exception. In fact, some of Korea’s biggest stars seem to be allergic to some truly odd things. Let’s take a look … Why is Blackpink’s Lisa still being ‘mistreated’ by YG Entertainment? BTS’ Jin has a garlic and potato allergy If you’re part of BTS’ Army fan club, you’ll likely already be aware of Jin’s outstanding cooking skills. He has shown them off on various TV shows including BTS’ reality...

K-drama queens who almost became K-pop idols: from The Heirs star Park Shin-hye to Descendants of the Sun’s Kim Ji-won, who was once a background singer for Younha

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 04:15:08 +0000

Many K-drama actors and K-pop singers stumbled into their professions unexpectedly. Stars’ childhood dreams were often sometimes very different to their current profession – such as BTS’ V wanting to become a farmer and Cha Eun-woo aspiring to go into law. Meanwhile, some popular K-drama actresses were actually training to become K-pop singers from a very young age, but ended up suddenly pivoting to a career in acting instead. Here is a list of multitalented K-drama queens who almost debuted as...

5 Korean stars with weird certifications, from Seo Ye-ji’s sex education and balloon art qualifications to Mamamoo’s Solar fun and recreation leader titles

Sun, 03 Oct 2021 04:00:19 +0000

Celebrities are a talented bunch … and not necessarily just when they’re acting on screen, dancing on stage or recording in the studio! While some of our favourite Korean actors and idols have degrees from top universities or high IQs, others have little-known talents that they even went as far as to get certified for. Here are five K-stars with unique certificates that have almost nothing to do with why they’re famous. Blackpink’s pets: meet the Instagram influencer pups who wear luxury...

Blackpink’s pets: Lisa, Jennie, Rosé and Jisoo all own adorable puppies, but which was sent a bespoke Dior bag, and is one of them really named after Exo’s Kai?

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 04:04:03 +0000

Blackpink members might be gracing magazine covers, dazzling at red carpet events and landing lucrative deals with luxury brands, but did you know their pets are almost as famous as they are? From Jennie’s adorable brown Pomeranian named Kuma who appeared on the cover of Vogue Korea, to Rosé’s bright orange fish Joohwangie who marked his debut on a local TV show, here’s a rundown of the girl group’s cute pets … Instagram records: which celebs gained 1 million followers the fastest? Jennie’s dogs...

4 K-pop idols who look just like their mums and dads, from BTS member V and Blackpink’s Jennie, to Twice’s Nayeon and T-ara’s Jiyeon

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 04:53:50 +0000

There are plenty of idol siblings in the K-pop industry, such as former Girls’ Generation singer Jessica Jung and f(x)’s Krystal, and Gong Myung and NCT’s Doyoung. So did they get their talent – and good looks – from their parents? Read on to scope the similarities between these four idols and their mums and dads … Instagram records: which celebs gained 1 million followers the fastest? Blackpink’s Jennie and her mum Let’s start with two women who have outstanding taste in fashion. Money Today...

Blackpink member Jisoo and Bae Suzy wear Dior’s Dioriviera – take inspiration from the Korean idols’ looks with more accessories from the capsule collection, and by Gucci and Celine

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 05:04:07 +0000

We might love the summer – but not the blinding sun that comes with it. Here are five summer outdoor accessories and other items that will make the sun a bit more bearable, including pieces from Dior’s Dioriviera capsule collection, which is the very collection that Korean stars Jisoo from Blackpink and Bae Suzy were spotted wearing. Costume drama: why Hollywood’s House of Gucci biopic has a fashion problem Chloé Feminine and captivating, the Gemma butterfly sunglasses were inspired by stained...

Brighten up your summer wardrobe like Ariana Grande with colourful shoes by Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta and Christian Louboutin

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 09:37:40 +0000

Summer might be half over, but we should definitely enjoy every bit of it we have left … and what better way to do that than with bright, eye-catching hues? Just like Ariana Grande matched yellow heels to her yellow outfit, you can add a pop of colour to your wardrobe with these designer shoes. And if you’re not a high-heels person, don’t worry – we’ve picked out some comfy loafers for you too. Should you rock a basket bag this summer? Just ask K-pop’s Taeyeon Balenciaga These pumps show how...

G-Dragon’s most outrageous birthday gifts: BTS’ Army has nothing on this K-pop idol’s fans, who once decorated an entire Beijing building and even planted forests in his honour …

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 08:44:27 +0000

Nobody shows love to their idols quite like K-pop fans. They splash their appreciation on ads, shower their favourite artists with gifts, and get songs charting just because they can … So when an idol has a birthday, you can bet the celebrations will be big. For BTS member Jimin’s birthday last year, the band’s official fan club – Army – in Indonesia honoured the occasion by raising funds to plant and maintain mangroves in his name. In Vietnam, fans even composed a song just for him. As G-Dragon...

From BTS member RM’s discovery by rapper Sleepy, to Song Joong-ki getting friend Lee Hee-joon cast in Netflix’s Vincenzo: 4 K-stars who would be nothing without their celebrity mentors

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 04:20:09 +0000

There are many ways Korean stars can be scouted – from Chae Eun-woo and Bae Suzy being discovered outside a toilet, to the stories of Exo’s Suho and NCT’s Jaemin being plucked from obscurity whilst doing volunteer work. So it’s clearly not always the most obvious routes to fame – typically hopeful auditions followed by years of arduous idol training – that produce the brightest stars. One path to success that’s perhaps among the most tried and tested, however, is when established names shower...

5 colourful mini bags to wear this summer: K-pop idol Jessica Jung rocked a bright red handbag – steal her look with pieces by Prada, Valentino and Burberry

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 01:00:15 +0000

Nothing brightens up an outfit quite like a statement handbag … and summer is an ideal time to trot out colourful mini bags. K-pop fashionista and former SNSD member, Jessica Jung, recently left an impression by matching a red mini bag with a simple summer look. From a casual day at the beach to a festive evening night out, consider copping one of these bags from maisons like Burberry, Prada and Valentino. Louis Vuitton and Burberry in NFTs and online gaming – what will they do? Delvaux One of...

Paris Hilton fed her dog caviar on Netflix? Glam up your pet Cooking with Paris style with these woof-worthy luxury accessories from Hermès, Prada, Versace, Fendi and more

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 01:00:19 +0000

Luxury is everywhere, and there’s no reason why your furry friends should be excluded from the glam. Just look at the richest Hilton of all, Paris, who was last spotted feeding her pooch caviar on Netflix’s new Cooking with Paris show, streaming on Netflix since yesterday. But just as these dog-obsessed celebs love pampering their four-legged friends with luxurious gifts, we’re always eager to share a little bit of luxury with our pets too. From a glamorous Versace raincoat to a dog collar with...

4 K-drama reunions that drove fans wild: before Crash Landing on You, did you know Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin had sizzling chemistry in a crime thriller?

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 04:54:17 +0000

Plenty of K-dramas are so engrossing that it can be difficult to face the last episode. And if you’re a fan of a particular actor, often the next step is to search for – and binge – other shows they’ve appeared in. But sometimes it’s not just a single actor who defines a series – rather, duos who play off of each other and harness their buzzing chemistry to put on unforgettable performances. Recently, there’s been a new K-drama trend where showrunners note who had good chemistry in previous...

4 LGBT K-pop idols who came out despite discrimination, from trot star Kwon Do-woon and rapper Aquinas, to former Wassup member Jiae and Idol School darling Som Hein

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 02:00:17 +0000

While other areas of the world may have become more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community over the past few decades, it’s no secret that being openly LGBTQ+ can still be very difficult in the K-pop world. However, recent emerging trends in Korea seem to have encouraged more Korean celebrities to come out of the closet – here are a few of their stories. How Taemin slayed three generations of K-pop Former Wassup member Jiae How they open up about their sexual orientations varies from star to star....

Crazy K-pop scouting stories: Cha Eun-woo and Bae Suzy were both spotted by talent scouts ... outside the toilets

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 08:55:24 +0000

K-pop stars don’t spring from nowhere. Behind the scenes, there are agents tasked with finding diamonds in the rough and transforming them into idols. Recruiting these future stars is known as talent scouting – and while some K-pop trainees realise their dreams after fighting through tough auditions, others are simply spotted in the most mundane circumstances by entertainment recruiters, and offered a life they might never have imagined. Over the years, there have been many weird and wonderful...

Son Ye-jin in Thirty-Nine: her first K-drama since Crash Landing on You – and going public with Hyun Bin – co-stars Jeon Mi-do from Netflix’s Hospital Playlist

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 03:27:46 +0000

If you’ve been eagerly anticipating K-drama queen Son Ye-jin’s on-screen comeback, then breath a sigh of relief – the wait is finally over. The Korean star of hit TV shows and films like Something in the Rain, Personal Taste and, of course, Crash Landing on You, Son recently revealed that she plans to join the upcoming drama Thirty-Nine. The 12-episode romance drama series will revolve around three friends about to turn 40. Shooting is expected to start in August, according to Woman Chosun. So...

What gifts do BTS members give their parents? Jin presented a US$3.4 million Hannam The Hill apartment, Jungkook went for a Mercedes-Benz while RM lets mum and dad use his credit card

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 06:34:38 +0000

There’s no doubt that the Bangtan Boys know how to splurge, but not only do they treat themselves with their millions, they shell out for their loved ones too – including their mums and dads, of course. So what sort of relationships do the boys have with their parents, and what gifts have they presented over the years to express their love and thanks? Here are some of the most memorable ones … 5 Korean celebrity drug scandals Jungkook: a Mercedes-Benz Jungkook might be the group’s maknae –...

K-pop fashion inspiration from Blackpink’s Rosé, Sneaker Queen – from Dior’s artsy high top to Louis Vuitton’s quirky upcycled trainer

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 01:00:00 +0000

A humble pair of trainers are a must-have item in your wardrobe, the same way that jeans never go out of style. But don’t underestimate the shoes’ ability to transform your whole outfit if you choose the right pair. This month we’re taking a leaf out of Blackpink’s Rosé’s book, whose ability to effortlessly pair her white trainers with a sporty look, or combine her black ones with a sparkly party outfit, makes her the Sneaker Queen, in our opinion. Here are some of our favourite glam trainers to...

5 best new luxury home accessories for June, just in time for Father’s Day: from a Versace hanging lamp to a Hermès backgammon set

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 06:24:44 +0000

With Father’s Day just around the corner, it’s an ideal chance to spend some quality time with family – and what better way to delight your loved ones than to spruce up your nest for when you’re hosting? A vase of flowers is sure to brighten up your table, and a crystal wine decanter and dessert plates even more. Playing board games together is a classic pastime, and an Hermès backgammon set is sure to elevate the experience. Does Gen Z spell the end of luxury or will brands take up the...

5 Korean celebrity drug scandals: from BtoB’s Jung Il-hoon to BigBang’s G-Dragon and T.O.P – K-pop and K-drama stars caught with marijuana, MDMA and ketamine

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 02:00:00 +0000

A scandal can completely wreck a celebrity’s career. But more than scandals involving romance, drink driving or school bullying, it is drug scandals that have the greatest impact on Korean celebs’ reputations. When that celeb is a K-pop idol, the impact is greatest of all – and that fate has just befallen former BtoB member Jung Il-hoon. He was still an active member of the group when he was caught using marijuana last year, and was on Thursday (June 10) sentenced to two years in prison and...

Make like Kylie Jenner and dial up the ankle detail this summer – from Hermès midnight blue block heels to Saint Laurent’s suede strappy flats and Christian Louboutin’s sky-high raffia creations

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 10:00:12 +0000

As the weather gets hotter and your clothes get lighter, it’s time to bring attention back to your feet. And if Kylie Jenner’s sparkly silver heels dramatically accented with pearls are anything to go by, ankle details are the thing to look out for this summer. From simple monochrome flats to pastel-coloured, flower-adorned heels, these are our current favourites from Roger Vivier, Christian Louboutin, Saint Laurent, Giuseppe Zanotti and Hermès. How Gucci ‘hacked’ Balenciaga, plus 3 more of the...

How K-pop fans control idols: from hating on Lee Seung-gi and Lee Da-in’s romance to the Blackpink #RespectLisa hashtag, obsessive ‘fansumers’ are now calling the shots

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 08:46:10 +0000

The days of the passive, supportive K-pop fan – who’s content to simply cheer on their favourite idols and not much else – are over. As the K-pop industry becomes more saturated, fans are becoming more proactive, voicing their opinions and ever-louder criticisms, demanding more from stars as well as the agencies that manage them. Enter the term “fansumer”, combining the words “fan” and “consumer”, which highlights how fans can bring massive profits to artists and agencies – if they feel like it....

K-pop idol Taeyeon rocked a pink Fendi basket bag – here’s how you can get the same relaxed summer look from Prada, Armani and more luxury brands

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 04:40:11 +0000

Summer is in full bloom, which means our clothes are becoming lighter – and so are our bags. And we definitely cannot talk about summer without beach trips. Inspired in part by the way Taeyeon from SNSD matched her summer look with Fendi’s basket bag, here we’ve scoped out five different basket bags to complete your summer look – from Alaïa and Loewe to Giorgio Armani and Prada. With simple tones or colours, you can match these basket bags for your different looks including your beach trip and...

Samsung heir Lee Boo-jin: the Hotel Shilla CEO finalised a dramatic divorce in 2020, but she’s also a style icon with a big heart

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 07:29:08 +0000

Getting featured in any big annual list by the likes of Forbes and Fortune is an achievement enough in itself – but what does it take to keep appearing year after year? One woman was chosen for Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women of Asia-Pacific” list in 2015, and both Forbes’ “Korea’s 50 Richest” rank in 2020 and its “Billionaires” list in 2021 – you might have guessed who we’re talking about; Lee Boo-jin, the eldest female Samsung heir. Yes, we all know just how influential the tech giant is, but...

Lee Seung-gi and Lee Da-in are dating: 4 things K-drama’s hottest new couple have in common, from their love of golf to brand endorsements and a unknown family connection

Tue, 25 May 2021 07:59:47 +0000

On Monday, May 24, K-pop and K-drama sites were full of news about a relationship between actor and singer Lee Seung-gi and actress Lee Da-in. This caught many fans off guard as they had never been linked before and seemed to have nothing in common, but the couple quickly acknowledged their relationship in a statement. Trawling through social media archives, we went as far back as 2013 to see what might have brought the two celebs together. Here are a few things that caught our eye. 6 K-pop...

Samsung’s 4 heirs: who will lead South Korea’s smartphone and tech chaebol after late chairman Lee Kun-hee, and how much do you know about them?

Wed, 19 May 2021 09:00:17 +0000

Much like the way K-drama and K-pop dominates screens and airwaves today, we can’t talk about smartphone brands without mentioning Samsung. Besides electronics and tech, Samsung also has arms dedicated to finance, engineering, education, entertainment and even sports, and was one of the companies that gave South Korea a major boost from the 1960s to the 1990s, helping transform the country from a post-war ruin to the 12th largest economy in the world. It’s also one of South Korea’s biggest...

6 K-pop idols’ former dream jobs, from Blackpink’s Jennie wanting to be a zookeeper to BTS member V’s farmer ambitions

Tue, 18 May 2021 04:12:07 +0000

Plenty of people might dream of becoming famous, but did you know that not all K-pop idols always wanted to be stars – or even in the entertainment industry at all? Although they might be passionate and talented music artists now, some of these idols’ original career ambitions might surprise you … Why Lee Do-hyun and Go Min-si’s chemistry is driving K-drama fans crazy Astro’s Cha Eun-woo: judge Popular for his singing, dancing and charm, while being good looking to boot, Cha Eun-woo has been...

Which K-pop idol owns the most expensive car? Exo’s Chanyeol, G-Dragon and Girls’ Generation’s Yoona all make our top five

Tue, 11 May 2021 05:50:56 +0000

Nearly everyone has a dream car in the back of their mind. Perhaps not even a specific brand or model, but a colour, style, shape or vibe. The only difference between celebrities and the rest of us is that A-listers get to collect their dream cars. So which K-pop stars have the most envy-worthy car collections? STYLE thumbed up to present this list of the biggest report idol splurges. Here’s what we know. 5 jealous K-drama celebrity couples G-Dragon has three limited edition supercars Just as...

How did Baekhyun find Exo? As the K-pop star enters military service, we trace his journey to fame – from high school ‘aegyo’ to being scouted by SM Entertainment

Tue, 04 May 2021 04:06:25 +0000

Baehyun, a leading K-pop star with boy band Exo beloved for his his vocal and dance skills, turns 29 on May 6. Fans will have mixed feelings about that date, as he has also decided to enlist in compulsory military service on his birthday – though a long-running health issue means he will work as a public service worker and not complete active duty. To bid him adieu from the spotlight, STYLE takes look back at Baekhyun’s road to fame and what makes him so special. Interview: Jessi’s What Type of...

Sing Yin, W Hong Kong: Pleasurable dim sum afternoon tea and an à la carte menu stuffed with traditional favourites

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 04:00:13 +0000

FARE A harmony of traditional and creative dim sum. AMBIENCE A majestic entrance welcomes you into a traditional setting of Chinese wood-panelled walls and dark grey furniture. COST Appetisers on the à la carte menu start at HK$198 while individual portions of dim sum start at HK$28. There’s also an all-you-can-eat dim sum afternoon tea on weekdays for HK$228. WHO TO BRING A few old friends who miss the traditional taste of dim sum, as well as those with adventurous palates who want to explore...

5 yellow shoes to brighten up your wardrobe like Kylie Jenner: Louis Vuitton, Valentino and more luxury brands present show-stopping pumps and flats just in time for spring

Sun, 25 Apr 2021 15:54:47 +0000

Spring is here – flowers are blooming, and you just might find yourself surrounded by pastels as the season arrives to the fashion world too. But soft dreamy hues aren’t the only colours that say springtime. Daffodil yellow is guaranteed to turn heads – Kylie Jenner sure did with her yellow sheath dress and matching yellow pumps. Check out STYLE’s round-up of the best yellow shoes to get a spring in your step. Kanye West’s first pair of Yeezy sneakers are in Hong Kong Valentino Made in Italy...

Which Korean brands have dropped Seo Ye-ji? After the boyfriend ‘manipulation’ scandal, the K-drama star of Netflix’s It’s Okay Not to Be Okay could lose millions of won in cancelled endorsements

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 04:03:15 +0000

Seo Ye-ji has landed in a heap of trouble lately. (If you’re out of the loop, we’ll wait for you to catch yourself up.) Even after her agency, Gold Medalist, released an official statement denying her involvement in changes to Kim Jung-hyun’s Time script, the situation shows no signs of calming down. Some K-drama fans continue to await a clear statement from Seo herself. Following the controversy, Seo even skipped a press conference for the film Recalled on April 13. Seo is also set to lose...

Seo Ye-ji’s 4 biggest scandals explained: accusations the It’s Okay Not to be Okay star manipulated ex-boyfriend Kim Jung-hyun are just the beginning

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 06:57:43 +0000

If you’ve logged on to any K-drama news site or blog during the past week, you would’ve seen them lit up with the names Seo Ye-ji and Kim Jung-hyun. But the ongoing storm is about more than a romantic scandal between exes – for Seo, accusations that she manipulated her former boyfriend are just the beginning. On April 13, Seo’s management agency Gold Medalist released a statement attempting to explain away the kerfuffle as a typical lovers’ spat, but what about all the other allegations mounting...