Fans are ѕнσ¢кed by the news that young designer Kim Ri Eul was found ∂єα∂ a few hours ago. He was known for designing Hanbok for BTS and was the owner of a leading Hanbok design brand.
Before his ∂єαтн, Kim Ri Eul left a post on Instagram. After that, industry insiders and fans are leaving condolences under his latest post upon receiving the news.
While the ∂єαтн of this male designer has not been announced, many interesting details have been revealed:
For some ARMYs, it will not be strange to hear the name Kim Ri Eul. This Hanbok designer, whose real name is Kim Jong Won, 32 years old, is known since creating unique modernized hanbok for BTS. He was found ∂єα∂ yesterday evening in a flower bed in an apartment in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do.
According to Namwon Police Station, at around 9:10 p.m. on February 11, there was a report of a person fell on an apartment flower bed in Dotong-dong, Namwon-si. When the ρσℓι¢є and 119 ambulance arrived at the scene, it was confirmed that CEO Kim was ∂єα∂. The news of Kim Ri Eul's pαѕѕing was widely reported this morning, causing great pain to friends, colleagues, and fans.
According to the ρσℓι¢є investigation, on the day of the incident, CEO Kim visited his parents' house in Namwon, and after talking on the phone with an acquaintance, he is said to have made the negative choice. The ρσℓι¢є are currently investigating the specific circumstances surrounding the incident, but said that "there does not appear to be any suspicion of criminal activity." However, other sources reported that Kim's parents have requested an investigation from the ρσℓι¢є.
CEO Kim Ri Eul founded the Hanbok suit brand 'RIEUL' in 2016, introducing modern suits inspired by the design of Hanbok - the traditional кσяєαn costume. Since then, his brand has collaborated with many global brands and government agencies, including New Balance, McLaren, Samsung Galaxy S21, and the Cultural Heritage Administration, leading the modernization and globalization of hanbok.
In particular, in 2020, CEO Kim and the RIEUL brand received worldwide attention when BTS members wore Hanbok costumes designed by him, performing on NBC's 'The Late Late Show with Jimmy Fallon'. In particular, with the background of Geunjeongjeon in Gyeongbokgung Palace, the video attracted tens of millions of views on YouTube and created a global hanbok fever.
In addition to BTS, Kim Ri Eul also designed clothes for many other K-pop stars, including rapper and producer Tiger JK, Zico and boy band Monsta X, and collaborated with brands such as automaker McLaren and Samsung. The late designer's creativity and influence have been recognized worldwide, and last year he was included in the '30 Under 30 in Asia' list by αмєяι¢αn business magazine Forbes.
At a forum held in November 2024, he expressed his ambition, saying, "I will make it so that when asked about кσяєαn luxury brands, people can confidently say 'RIEUL'." Meanwhile, the last post on CEO Kim's personal account was on the 31st of last month, with the brand name 'RIEUL' written on it along with the caption "1995-2025". The post is now flooded with comments mourning him.
