Kim Rieul (real name Kim Jong Won), the renowned designer behind BTS’s hanbok outfits, passed away at 32.
According to a report by The Fact on February 12, Kim Rieul passed away on February 11. He had visited the apartment where his parents reside and was reportedly on a phone call outside when he made the extreme decision. His family has since requested a police investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Born in 1993, Kim first introduced modern suits made with hanbok fabric in 2016 and went on to establish and operate the hanbok suit brand ‘Rieul.’
Kim gained widespread recognition in 2020 when he designed the hanbok outfits worn by BTS members Jimin, SUGA, and J-Hope during their performance at Gyeongbokgung Palace’s Geunjeongjeon Hall on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ in the U.S.
In 2023, he was also named in Forbes’ prestigious ’30 Under 30 Asia’ list, which recognizes influential young figures in the region.
Kim’s passing marks a significant loss in the fashion industry, especially for those who admired his contributions to modernizing hanbok and promoting Korean culture on the global stage.
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