[Sports Chosun Reporter Cho Min-jung] Kim Reeul (real name Kim Jong-won, 32), known as the hanbok designer for BTS, was found dead in the flowerbed of an apartment in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do.
According to the Namwon Police Station on the 12th, a report was received at around 9:10 p.m. the previous day (11th) that someone had fallen in the flowerbed of an apartment in Dotong-dong, Namwon City. When the police and emergency services arrived at the scene, Mr. Kim was already confirmed to be deceased.
Police investigations revealed that Mr. Kim visited his parents’ home in Namwon on the day of the incident and, following a call with an acquaintance, made an extreme choice in his room. The police are currently investigating the precise circumstances and stated, “There are no signs of foul play.”
Mr. Kim launched the hanbok suit brand ‘RIEUL’ in 2016 by introducing modern suits using hanbok fabric. He has since collaborated with various global brands and government agencies, including New Balance, McLaren, Samsung Galaxy S21, and the Cultural Heritage Administration, driving the modernization and globalization of hanbok.
He gained global attention, particularly in 2020, when BTS members Jimin, Suga, and J-Hope wore his hanbok suits during a stage performance at Gyeongbokgung Palace’s Geunjeongjeon on U.S. NBC’s ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.’ The video gained millions of views on YouTube, sparking a global hanbok trend.
His originality and influence were globally recognized, and he was included in Forbes’ list of ’30 Under 30 in Asia’ last year. At a forum in November of the same year, he expressed his ambition, saying, “I will make it so that when people ask about Korea’s high-end brands, they can confidently say ‘RIEUL.'”
Meanwhile, the last post on Mr. Kim’s personal account, dated January 31, was a photo with the brand name ‘RIEUL’ and the text “1995-2025.” Tributes and condolence comments are now pouring in on this post.