The fashion world is grieving the loss of Kim Rieul, the designer who redefined hanbok for a new generation. Best known for dressing K-pop stars like BTS and MONSTA X, he took Korea’s traditional attire and gave it a modern, wearable edge.
His sudden passing at just 32 has left many devastated, but his work continues to shape the conversation around heritage and innovation in fashion. Here are five things to know about the late designer and his lasting legacy.
Who Was Kim Rieul?
1. He started his brand in 2016 with no formal training.
Kim Rieul didn’t come from a traditional fashion background. In fact, before launching his namesake brand Rieul in 2016, he had no industry experience at all. His interest in hanbok was sparked by seeing friends rent them for special occasions, which got him thinking—why couldn’t these designs be worn more casually? That curiosity led him to create modernized hanbok suits, blending traditional elements with contemporary tailoring. What started as an experiment quickly turned into a full-fledged brand that caught the eye of the industry.
2. BTS wore his designs.
Kim’s designs gained global recognition in 2020 when the boy band BTS wore his hanbok-inspired suits for a performance at Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Beyond BTS, Kim also dressed artists like Zico, Tiger JK, and MONSTA X, solidifying his reputation as a designer who understood how to merge culture with contemporary fashion.
3. He landed on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List in 2023.
By 2023, Kim’s influence was impossible to ignore. That year, he earned a spot on Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Asia” list in the Arts category, recognized for his role in reimagining hanbok for the modern era. At just 29, he was already shaping how the world viewed Korean fashion, proving that tradition and innovation could go hand in hand.
4. His collaborations spanned fashion, architecture, and even cars.
Kim wasn’t just about clothing—he brought his creative vision to unexpected industries. Over the years, he worked with brands like Samsung, New Balance, and Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, constantly pushing the boundaries of where hanbok-inspired design could go. One of his most notable projects was with McLaren, where he used traditional Korean ink-wash painting to customize a luxury sports car. His work blurred the lines between fashion, art, and technology, showing just how versatile his approach to design was.
5. He prioritized cultural representation over profit
For Kim, designing hanbok wasn’t just about fashion—it was about making Korean culture more visible on a global stage. Early in his career, he would rent out his creations for free to performers representing Korea internationally, believing that exposure was more important than commercial success. His goal was to modernize the hanbok while keeping its heritage intact, making it something people could appreciate beyond traditional ceremonies.
Though his life was tragically cut short, Kim Rieul’s impact on fashion and culture continues. His designs brought the hanbok into the global spotlight, ensuring that his legacy will live on through the artists and brands he collaborated with—and the people who continue to wear his creations.
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