Whether you’re a K-pop listener or not, you cannot deny its significant impact on fashion and marketing in recent years.
This is why I believe K-pop and fashion are closely related.
When designing, it’s crucial to understand the use of marketing, follow trends, or even create new ones.
Designers often face creative blocks, and in these moments, finding inspiration becomes essential.
I previously wrote a post about creative block, which you can find here.
It’s important to remember that designing isn’t just about drawing—it’s an emotional and motivational process.
K-pop’s impact on our emotional state
One of the main reasons K-pop has resonated so deeply with fans is because of its ability to influence emotions.
While love is the main theme of many songs, people also face other life challenges that need to be addressed.
K-pop tackles topics such as school pressure, the challenges of adulthood, and even the experience of having no dreams or direction.
Consider how many young people face the pressure of high expectations from their parents while struggling with uncertainty about their future.
Not having a dream is a serious issue that many don’t understand unless they’ve experienced it themselves.
It can lead to feelings of depression and confusion, as they may feel like failures.
In reality, they simply need more time to discover themselves.
During this time, they need something to fuel their passion—whether it’s music, art, or something else that brings them joy and motivation.
For many people, K-pop acts as a form of “free therapy,” as it offers songs that address a wide range of personal struggles, providing encouragement and comfort.
Consider the percentage of young people who suffer from mental health issues, only to have their parents dismiss it, claiming that depression and anxiety are just signs of laziness.
For those who are battling these problems, it often feels like they are failures, not only for having these
struggles but also for being perceived as “lazy.”
In many cases, they hide their feelings from friends, fearing judgment.
The only thing they have is music that confirms, through lyrics, that they aren’t crazy or alone.
Imagine someone with social phobia hearing a K-pop idol’s story of overcoming the same challenges and now performing in front of millions.
That can be an incredibly encouraging and motivating example.
Often, when people hear someone listens to K-pop, they assume the music is quirky, childish, or strange.
This opinion is usually based on just one song they’ve heard or negative comments from others, without any real research.
However, K-pop isn’t all “rainbows and sunshine.”
The treatment of K-pop idols and the harsh price they pay to be in the industry is often overlooked.
The term “idol” is used for K-pop stars, but it’s a title that separates them from being called simply “musicians,” which is the title Western artists receive.
Some people even label K-pop fandoms as “cult-like,” and while fans may joke about this on social media, non-fans sometimes take these comments seriously.
There are countless people who enjoy K-pop music, finding it relaxing and entertaining.
But on the other hand, there are also obsessive fans, though this behavior isn’t unique to K-pop—it could happen with any artist, no matter the genre or language.
In the end, K-pop is simply a genre of Korean pop music.
It should be enjoyed and appreciated for the inspiration and entertainment it provides, without unnecessary stigma.
Where does fashion fit into this whole story?
Imagine having such a massive audience, with millions of fans around the world.
Whatever you introduce to this audience has the power to influence them.
K-pop music videos are a great example of how fashion plays a central role.
Each video features multiple outfits that are often used for performances as well.
And since the promotion cycle for K-pop releases typically lasts several weeks, fans are continuously exposed to these looks.
As a result, whatever idols wear—whether it’s makeup, jewelry, or clothing—often sells out rapidly.
K-pop dance crews, who cover K-pop songs, also want to wear the same outfits that idols wear.
Trends can be tracked by seeing what clothes become popular after idols wear them,
and each K-pop group has its own stylist team made up of professionals.
These stylists creatively combine themes, aesthetics, and fashion, using clothes to tell a story and convey a particular message.
Even though the performance outfits are often more extravagant or thematic, we also get to see idols attending red carpet events where we can analyze more sophisticated, elegant looks.
K-pop groups are known for having many members, so imagine the number of outfits needed
for each member.
On top of that, consider how many performances and events these idols attend.
Being a stylist for a K-pop group is no easy task.
It requires constant creativity and the ability to stay ahead of trends.
Stylists often want to be the first to start a new trend, which leads them to research and collaborate with emerging designers who might become famous after their clothes are worn by idols.
Fashion in K-pop isn’t just about clothing—it’s also about the concepts.
The music videos, promotional photos, and even the choreography often include intriguing symbols and visual cues.
Fans can spend hours decoding these clues, linking them to deeper meanings within the group’s aesthetic and storylines.
The creativity behind K-pop concepts offers a unique way to study fashion and design.
Did you know how many K-pop groups debut each year?
Some estimates suggest that around 100 new groups debut annually.
Every group wants to be noticed, but only a few make it big.
To stand out, groups need to bring something new and unique.
This is why K-pop groups are constantly experimenting with fresh concepts and looks.
As a designer, you can learn a lot by studying these concepts and aesthetics.
You could even challenge yourself by picking a group and designing clothes that would fit their unique style.
K-pop offers a wealth of inspiration, not just in terms of fashion but also in how fashion can be integrated into larger concepts and storytelling.
It’s an exciting space for anyone in the fashion or creative industries to explore.
You can always search for aesthetic K-pop pictures on Pinterest to discover many interesting vibes that could serve as inspiration for fashion design.
This post was from fashiondesignbase.com , where I discuss everything about fashion and its presence in music and series/dramas.
Additionally, if you’re a fashion designer or illustrator, I offer to write a post for you for free to help promote your work.
Let’s support fellow artists around the world!
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