‘BTS Hanbok designer’ Kim Rieul died suddenly... while on the phone with someone else.

Kim Rieul, a well-known designer of hanbok for the South Korean boy group BTS, has died. He was 32 years old.

　According to a Korean media outlet on the 12th (today), Kim Rieul (real name: Kim Jung-won) visited his parents' flat in Namwon, Jeonbuk, on the 11th and died suddenly during a telephone call with someone. In this connection, the family has now requested the police to investigate the matter.

　Kim Rieul was known for designing the hanbok suit worn by ‘BTS’ on stage in 2020 when they sang their hit song ‘IDOL’, which attracted a great deal of interest. ‘BTS’ also wore outfits designed by the deceased when they appeared on the US TV programme ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’. In addition, he was selected by Forbes last year as one of the ‘30 Most Influential People Under 30 in Asia’.

　On the 31st of last month, Kim Rieul posted a photo of himself with his brand name on it with the comment ‘1993-2025’, which was a bit late to the party and caused a lot of regret.


■Main counselling services for concerns introduced on the website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to prevent suicide.
Mental Health Consultation Unified Dial: 0570-064-556
Yorosoi Hotline: 0120-279-338; from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures: 0120-279-226
Inochi no Denwa: 0570-783-556