The Korean entertainment industry is mourning the demise of Kim Rieul , the hanbok designer for top K-pop idols like BTS and MONSTA X. He passed away at the very young age of 32 years.

The report of his demise came from K-media reports, stating Kim passed away on Tuesday night. The family of the designer confirmed the news of his demise as reported by Chosun Biz. The family shared, “It is true that Kim Rieul passed away yesterday.”

The reason for his demise hasn’t been revealed yet.

Who was Kim Rieul?

Born in 1993 in Namwon, North Jeolla Province, Kim Rieul got his mention in Forbes' list of Asia's 30 Under 30 Leaders in 2023. In 2016, he garnered a lot of love and attention as he released hanbok designs under his brand, ‘Rieul’.

Kim gained significant mainstream attention when K-pop sensation BTS, consisting of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, captivated audiences with their enchanting performance of "Idol" at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. They showcased his striking black outfits inspired by traditional hanbok during a feature on NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2020.

Besides influencing BTS's onstage attire with contemporary hanbok styles, Kim's brand has created stunning pieces for other K-pop stars, including MONSTA X (featuring Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, IM, and former member Wonho), as well as CLC, Zico, Tiger JK, and others.

Further, it is worth noting that Kim had no connections to fashion, he was a hardcore soccer enthusiast, yet he decided to incorporate hanbok into everyday suits. He indeed was ahead of his time and thus, he gathered the courage to make his own business when there “was no such thing as hanbok suits.”

He faced a lot of rejections and challenges in his journey, as hanbok was not only labor-intensive work but also tough to handle. It took Kim six months to tailor his first hanbok suit.

His dedication was commendable and hanbok was his one true love. Speaking about why and how he fell for it, Kim told The Korea Herald in 2021, “I saw a row of hanbok rental shops springing up at the village frequented by tourists. It’s been less than 20 years since the rental business became a boom. As the market got bigger, problems started to emerge, as many shops started using cheaper Chinese fabrics instead of authentic Korean ones.”
The designer today is no more among us but his legacy will live on!