People born in the 70s or 80 saw that all significant fashion houses were endorsed only by Hollywood celebrities, but times are changing, and so are the trends. South Korea has created a noticeable cultural wave internationally since the 1990s, popularly known as the Hallyu wave or the K wave. With their global reach, South Korean celebrities have garnered love and adoration from audiences across different geographical boundaries so it was only natural for major fashion houses to have them as their brand ambassadors. Let us look at some of these major power-packed collaborations.
1. Zico
Zico debuted as a K-pop artist in 2011 and in a short period, Zico has become a household name in Korea as a singer, rapper, and songwriter. As soon as Zico completed his mandatory military training this year, he shook hands with the iconic brand FENDI as their brand ambassador. In the initial campaign, the hip-hopper is sporting an overall white denim look from the brand’s Menswear Collection and contrasting it with black Peekaboo and Baguette, a signature collection from FENDI.
2. Jisoo
On 24th May, luxury jewelry and watches brand Cartier announced Jisoo as their global brand ambassador. Jisoo is a famous K-pop singer and member of the popular BlackPink group. This collaboration is another feather in the singer’s cap as she already has a long association with Dior. Jisoo’s elegance and style resonate with Cartier’s distinctiveness and elegance. Jisoo shared her excitement to be a part of Panthere de Cartier on her Instagram handle.
3. Yoon Chan -Young
Netflix’s hit thriller series All of Us are Dead is quite a rage worldwide. Along with the k-drama’s success, another Korean talent Yoon Chan -young rose to stardom. Yoon Chan has become a household name in South Korea. Global brand Coach grabbed this opportunity and struck a deal with the 21-year-old star as their first brand ambassador for South Korea. The brand’s first marketing campaign shows Chan donning their Spring 2022 ready-to-wear collection.
4. Jennie
Jennie is another talented singer from the K-pop BlackPink group. Jennie is a fashion diva and has been Chanel’s face since 2017. Jennie is also known as Human Chanel. Jennie has enthralled the audience with her singing, drop-dead looks, and style. Jennie’s glamour perfectly complements Chanel’s vision that targets modern youth as their end customers. Besides Chanel, another swanky fashion house that partnered with Jisoo is Calvin Klein. Jisoo’s recent photoshoot for the brand’s promotion has created quite an impact across Korea and USA. Jennie’s sizzling looks have also bagged her paid partnership with many leading brands in South Korea, namely Hera, KT Corporation, Lotte Confectionery, and Chum – Churum.
5. Lisa
BlackPink’s Lisa is a global celebrity and a trendsetter, known for her bold and confident demeanor. Chivas, a well-known Scotch brand partnered with the rapper this year, making Lisa the brand’s first female face in Asia. Lisa is also associated with Bvlgari since 2020. In a recent ad campaign, Lisa was seen along with the brand’s other global ambassadors like Zendaya, Lily Aldridge, Vittoria Ceretti, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Apart from this, Lisa endorses cosmetic giant MAC and also Celine.
6. Rose
South Korean K-pop sensation Rose, became the brand ambassador of Tiffany & Co in 2021. She featured in the brand’s latest campaign for its hardware range. Tiffany & Co is a New York-based global high-end jewelry company. Rose personifies the brand’s exclusivity and creativity with fine craftsmanship. In February this year, Rose also bagged another deal with South Korea’s discounted retail store Homeplus. The retail brand launched a special marketing campaign this year to mark its silver jubilee celebration. Rose’s presence in the campaign increased the brand’s popularity significantly and gave the brand a feel of a luxury brand.
7. Kim Soo-Hyun
Kim Soo -Hyun is one of the highest-paid actors in South Korea. Kim made it to the list of Forbes Top Forty Korean Power Celebrities. Kim is known as ‘the king of product endorsements’ in South Korea. He has endorsed numerous local brands, and in September 2021, Kim was appointed by the brand as their global ambassador. In June this year, Kim cracked another deal with Y.O.U. Beauty as their latest brand ambassador.
8. Jung Ho Yeon
Jung Ho Yeon is a model turned actress and is a name to reckon with in the fashion world. Jung began her career when she walked the ramp in Seoul Fashion Week and gained significant attention. Jung cat walked for numerous luxury brands in New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week. Jung Ho reinvented herself and took to acting in the breakthrough series Squid Game. This series has made her a global star. The French luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton appointed the star as their global ambassador for fashion, watches, and jewelry.
9. Jung Hae -In
Jung Hae -in is earning six billion dollars from endorsements alone. ‘Something In the Rain’ star has been a model for many years. Jung is also starring as a lead character in Netflix’s series D.P. and Disney’s Snowdrop. Jung Hae has endorsed Puradak Chicken since 2020, and the two have renewed the contract. Jung Hae is currently endorsing fashion houses Burberry and Boucheron. He has been the face of Dior and Bvlgari in the past.
10. Shin MIn -A
Shin Min -A started her career as a model and forayed into acting with a supporting role in, Beautiful Days’. She is currently a hot favorite star in South Korea with the grand success of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and Our Blues. Gucci recently roped in the actress as their brand ambassador along with Lee Jung Jae. Apart from Gucci, Shin Min has fronted brands like Cartier, Givenchy, Roger Vivier, Chanel Beauty, Giordano, Calvin Klein, and others.
