Stylists for BIGBANG, 2NE1, BLACKPINK : Gee Eun & Park Min Hee Interview

Note : Gee Eun left YG Entertainment in 2000 before the release of BLACKPINK’s How You Like That. These are Gee Eun and Park Jin Hee’s parts abstracted from SSENSE interview with 4 stylists. Kim Young Jin, who works with BTS and NCT; Park Min Hee, stylist for BLACKPINK; Gee Eun, stylist for Jeon Somi, G-Dragon, and Taeyang; and Park Anna, stylist for aespa, Sik-K, and Soyoon of SE SO NEON.

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Abstracts from SSENSE

"..the pink custom MUGLER outfit worn on the Coachella main stage. We had to communicate with the brand and fit it into the schedule for about a month. We made numerous modifications to the outfit, and we communicated every detail, including the embellishments on the clothing. The MUGLER team even flew to Coachella, and we worked from morning to night, right up until BLACKPINK went onstage. After the performance ended, everyone involved in the project, including the local seamstress who joined us afterwards, was deeply moved." - Park Min Hee

BLACKPINK’s MUGLER outfits for Coachella. Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Coachella

Park Min Hee is BLACKPINK’s dedicated stylist.

Gee Eun joined YGE in 2000 and created distinctive styles for artists such as Big Bang and 2NE1. She co-founded PEACEMINUSONE with G-Dragon.

Park Min Hee, who majored in fashion design, also began as an assistant to a stylist. Her journey took a significant turn when her first shoot involved BLACKPINK; now she works as the group’s dedicated stylist.

Gee Eun studied fashion and joined YG Entertainment in 2000. During her tenure, she created distinctive styles for artists such as Big Bang and 2NE1. She also worked as the director of styling for YG Entertainment artists, including BLACKPINK. Her collaboration with G-Dragon was so deep that they even launched the brand PEACEMINUSONE®️ together. Following her time at YG, she relocated to The Black Label.

Park Min Hee had just styled Jennie for a Chanel photo shoot featured in W Korea and Gee Eun finished on Jeon Somi’s GAME PLAN album.

Gee Eun & G-Dragon

When you were younger, which musicians made you dream of becoming a stylist?

Park Anna: It would be BIGBANG and 2NE1. I loved their fashion and music during high school. It’s the same group that Gee Eun worked with, who, I must say, is the one responsible for elevating K-pop artist’s fashion to a high standard. After I started working as a stylist, I had the chance to work with CL of 2NE1, and it remains a special memory for me.

Gee Eun: For me, it was Kim Sung Jae from Deux in the early ’90s in Korea. (BTS covered his song “As I Told You.”) As for international musicians, it’s Michael Jackson. And, though not a musician, Sex and the City had a significant influence on me during my university years when I was studying fashion.

When I started as a stylist, we used the term “stage costumes (무대 의상);” the styles were more like costumes that couldn’t be worn in everyday life. I wanted to make clothes that could be worn both on and off the stage, breaking that mold. I aimed to incorporate the artists’ true styles, making it seamless whether they were wearing the outfits from music videos or a live performance in their daily lives. I think it all started with BIGBANG’s “Bad Boy” and G-Dragon’s “Crooked.” I believe it’s a stylist’s role to ensure that even ten years later, the work doesn’t look awkward or outdated.

Park Min Hee: I listened to a lot of songs by female pop artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Fergie, and Katy Perry. I paid more attention to their performances than just their songs.

For her first year as BLACKPINK’s stylist, Park Min Hee was awarded Stylist of the Year in Gaon Chart Music Awards.

Perhaps more than other musical genres, K-pop is known for its thorough coordination. Music, live shows, and visuals are planned together from the early stages, mainly by the entertainment companies that the artists are signed to. In the US, management/talent agencies and record labels work separately. Could you describe how you work?

Gee Eun: It’s like being part of the music-making process. To authentically convey the album’s concept through visuals, extensive communication with the artist is essential. We have to persistently uphold that vision to the end.

What have you recently discussed with your artists their visual style?

Park Min Hee: I often talk to the BLACKPINK members about fashion. They’re quite fashion-savvy and interested in it. Recently, I had a chat with Jennie about how to approach her Chanel photo shoot in a fresh way, considering her role as a Chanel ambassador.

Gee Eun: I preordered clothes from SS24 with G-Dragon and placed orders with various brands, including Paris showrooms. Sometimes, we need to order separately, especially for items that may not be readily available or don’t come in men’s sizes in Korea.

Tell me about a memorable experience working on custom outfits with a brand.

Park Min Hee

Park Min Hee: Undoubtedly, the pink custom MUGLER outfit worn on the Coachella main stage. We had to communicate with the brand and fit it into the schedule for about a month. We made numerous modifications to the outfit, and we communicated every detail, including the embellishments on the clothing. The MUGLER team even flew to Coachella, and we worked from morning to night, right up until BLACKPINK went onstage. After the performance ended, everyone involved in the project, including the local seamstress who joined us afterwards, was deeply moved.
Gee Eun: Chanel doesn’t make men’s clothing, so for male celebrities like G-Dragon, we sometimes have to place custom orders to match his size. Not recently, but there have been times when I personally designed and created clothing.

Gee Eun: I had a great time working with stylist and designer Merrfer’s brand during Somi’s shoot. The leggings and sandals were unique, and I enjoy collaborating with lesser-known designers like this. And while he may not be a newcomer, I really admire Noir Kei Ninomiya. I received some of his pieces, and they were truly fantastic. I look forward to his future work.

Kpop artists often wear traditional clothing—hanbok—onstage, and BLACKPINK’s hanbok styling at Coachella this year stood out. BLACKPINK has showcased the beauty of hanbok multiple times, such as in the “How You Like That” music video and their Jimmy Fallon performance.

Park Min Hee: I’ve had many opportunities to participate in overseas brands and events, and I’ve always pondered how Korean artists can showcase their unique beauty. We strive to incorporate our own wonderful clothes into every project to show the world what we have.

From when you began your careers until now, what has changed the most in this scene?

Gee Eun: People have come to understand what a stylist is. In the past, when I said I graduated in fashion design and wanted to be a stylist, seniors discouraged me because they saw it as a job to run errands for celebrities. The understanding and respect for the profession have grown significantly

What was your proudest moment as a stylist?

Park Min Hee: When we finished BLACKPINK’s world tour. Seeing the members onstage during the final encore performance, they looked really cool, and I was deeply moved.

Gee Eun: When artists I’ve been working with for a long time receive recognition in the fashion field or when people identify with “Gee Eun’s style.” It feels great when they appreciate my unique style in all my work.

Abstracts from SSENSE