Year 2021 proved that the fashion world truly embraced K-Pop stars. Several K-pop stars fashioned for luxury brands but no one has left a bigger impact than Exo’s Kai, the sensational “dancing machine”. He was the only South Korean idol in Lyst’s round-up of celebrities whose style options have resulted in the most significant spikes in searches and sales. He ranked at fifth-place according to the fashion shopping platform, making him more influential than stars like Harry Styles, Rihanna, and both the Biebers.
Ever since his debut as part of the boyband EXO, Kai set himself apart with his charismatic stage presence, sense of style, and dancing style. He is also noted for his impeccably polished airport fashion, which included turtleneck sweaters, blazers, and well-cut trousers that suited his graceful figure. It’s not quite surprising to us that he caught the attention of Gucci, who also named him as brand ambassador in 2019. Kai teamed up with Gucci for a limited-edition capsule collection, making him the first-ever Korean celebrity to do so. He was also chosen as the ambassador of Seoul Fashion Week and in the event, Kai remarked on his own relationship with fashion. He said, “I use clothes to express myself. I used to only think about how to sing or how to dance, but now that I’ve been a singer for ten years, I came to think about how to express myself as an artist.”
Kai therefore with a daring and unconventional approach to style, is no wonder that he became one of K-Pop’s biggest fashion influencers.
