“Collaboration With BTS” Designer Kim Rieul Passes Away While On A Phone Call “Police Investigating”
According to The Fact on Feb 12th, Kim Rieul passed away on the night of Feb 11th. A close acquaintance stated that Kim Rieul had visited his parents’ apartment that day when, during a phone call with someone from outside, he suddenly made an extreme decision. It is known that the bereaved family has requested a police investigation in relation to this.
Born in 1993, Kim Rieul first introduced modern suits made from hanbok fabric in 2016 and ran his own brand Rieul. Over the years, he collaborated with various fashion companies, including New Balance, as well as international brands such as McLaren and government agencies like the Samsung Galaxy S21 project and the Cultural Heritage Administration, solidifying his position in the industry.
His designs gained significant attention when BTS members Suga, J-Hope and Jimin wore Rieul’s hanbok suits on stage. In 2021, Kim Rieul appeared on a broadcast and shared the behind-the-scenes story of making BTS’s hanbok suits, expressing his passion for promoting hanbok and Korean culture through his brand.
The fashion industry mourned his sudden passing, stating, “He was a promising young designer who introduced Korean fashion to the world in the most authentically Korean style.”
Meanwhile, a post made on his account on Jan 31st has drawn attention. The post featured the text “1993-2025” along with an image displaying “RIEUL“. The message appears to have been a premonition of his passing. The post has been flooded with condolences such as “I can’t believe it“, “Rest in peace“, “We were supposed to meet in a few days” and “I was planning to invite him for a lecture this year.”
