BTS Hanbok Designer Kim Ri-eul Goes to Namwon and makes an extreme choice... under police investigation
Feb 12, 2025
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According to the Namwon Police Station on the 12th, a report was received that a person had fallen from an apartment flower bed in Dotong-dong, Namwon-si, around 9:10 p.m. the previous day (11th). When police and 119 arrived at the scene, it was confirmed that CEO Kim was already dead.
According to a police investigation, Kim visited his parents' home in Namwon, where he lived, on the day of the incident, and made an extreme choice in his room after a phone call with an acquaintance. Police are currently investigating the exact circumstances and `there appears to be no criminal charges.'
In 2016, CEO Kim founded the hanbok suit brand RIUL by introducing a modern suit using hanbok fabric. Since then, it has led the modernization and globalization of hanbok by collaborating with various global brands and government agencies such as New Balance, McLaren, Samsung Galaxy S21, and the Cultural Heritage Administration.
In particular, BTS' Jimin, Suga, and J-Hope drew global attention in 2020 when they wore their hanbok suits on a stage set in Gyeongbokgung Palace's Geunjeongjeon on NBC 'Jimmy Fallon Show'. The video led the global hanbok craze with tens of millions of views on YouTube.
The deceased's originality and influence were also recognized worldwide and included in the Forbes magazine's list of 「30 Influential People Under 30 in Asia」 last year. At a forum held in November of the same year, "When asked about Korean high-end brands, I will make them confidently say "Reel"," he said, expressing his ambition.
Meanwhile, on the 31st of last month, a photo with the brand name RIEUL was posted on CEO Kim's personal account with the words "1995-2025". Currently, the post is receiving a series of condolence comments for him.
mj.cho@sportschosun.com
