The renowned hanbok designer Kim Rieul, who created outfits for prominent K-pop groups such as BTS and MONSTA X, tragically passed away on Tuesday night, according to reports from Korean media published on February 12. He was only 32 years old. The family of Rieul, whose birth name was Kim Jong Wong, has confirmed the heartbreaking news, stating, “It is true that Kim Rieul passed away yesterday,” as reported by Chosun Biz. The cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.

Who was Kim Rieul?

The contemporary hanbok designer was born in 1993 in Namwon, located in North Jeolla Province, and was recognized in Forbes' 2023 list of Asia's 30 Under 30 Leaders. In 2016, he garnered significant attention by launching hanbok designs through his brand, ‘Rieul’.

Kim gained significant mainstream attention when the members of the K-pop phenomenon BTS—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—captivated audiences with their enchanting performance of "Idol" at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. They showcased Kim's striking black outfits, which drew inspiration from traditional hanbok. This remarkable performance was featured on NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2020.

Beyond influencing BTS's onstage fashion with contemporary hanbok styles, Kim's brand has provided exquisite garments to other K-pop luminaries, including MONSTA X (comprising Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, IM, and former member Wonho), CLC, Zico, Tiger JK, and numerous others.

Rieul's modern hanbok brand bridged the gap between traditional fashion and 21st-century comfort

In a YouTube interview with AYO, the pioneer of modern hanbok shared that the concept originated when he observed the excitement of his international friends regarding the rental and wearing of hanbok in Korea. Nevertheless, traditional Korean attire is not inherently associated with comfort.

Rieul has made significant strides in making 19th-century fashion more accessible to contemporary audiences by focusing on the creation of hanbok suits. By adapting traditional attire for modern consumers, he began offering his designs for rent at no cost to individuals representing Korea, thereby allowing a global audience to organically engage with the hanbok. For Kim, the promotion of Korean culture through fashion took precedence over the pursuit of commercial gain.

Reflecting on his connection to hanbok while growing up in the historic city of Jeonju, he shared with The Korea Herald in 2021, “I observed a proliferation of hanbok rental shops emerging in the village popular with tourists. The rental business has only flourished in the past two decades. However, as the market expanded, various issues arose, particularly as many shops opted for less expensive Chinese fabrics instead of authentic Korean materials.”

During the promotional activities for 'Follow,' MONSTA X's Kihyun was seen wearing one of Rieul's hanbok creations.

Reinventing traditional Korean attire

Kim, a passionate soccer aficionado with no prior ties to the fashion industry, made the unconventional decision to integrate hanbok into contemporary suits. This innovative concept emerged at a time when hanbok suits were virtually nonexistent. Rieul initiated the venture despite facing rejection from nearly all hanbok manufacturers and factories, primarily due to the labour-intensive nature of the work and the challenging texture of hanbok fabric. It took Kim six months to create his inaugural hanbok suit.

The rise of social media played a pivotal role in amplifying his distinctive fashion vision, as his photos garnered over 20,000 likes within just a week of their debut on Instagram. This surge in popularity propelled him to prominence, making his brand the most coveted hanbok label among local designers and celebrities. In addition to crafting tailored hanbok suits, Kim's brand and vision explored a variety of creative avenues, blending the traditional essence of hanbok with modern fashion items such as tennis skirts, leather jackets, and sweatshirts.

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