- While several K-pop stars attended the 2025 Met Gala, one came ready to serve some national pride.
- S.Coups, the leader of the boy band Seventeen, made his Met Gala debut in a Korean hanbok-inspired outfit.
- This comes a K-pop and Asian stars are having a moment in fashion on a global stage.
Several K-pop celebrities walked the red carpet at the 2025 Met Gala on Monday, but one came ready to serve up some national South Korean pride.
S.Coups, the 29-year-old leader of the boy band Seventeen, made his Met Gala debut in a gray Hugo Boss ensemble that looked like a modern take on a traditional Korean hanbok.
The outfit included a tailored jacket, flowy pleated pants, and a floor-length cape.
This year's Met Gala theme was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," and the dress code was "Tailored for You."
"Elegance. Innovation. Heritage. S.COUPS steals the spotlight at the Met in a custom BOSS creation that echoes a Korean hanbok jeogori jacket, paired with a stunning, floor-length coat," Hugo Boss wrote in an Instagram post on Monday.
The German fashion label announced on April 21 that the star, whose real name is Choi Seung-cheol, was its new global brand ambassador.
Choi went light on accessories, opting for a little bling with a diamond-encrusted Piaget watch.
"It felt like the perfect fusion of traditional Korean tailoring with elements of Black fashion and dandyism," said Zoë Hennessey, and LA-based fashion stylist.
"The oversized suit fits the theme, especially the pleated wide-leg pants. It brought a sense of volume and movement that felt fresh and expressive," she added.
Edith Chan, a Madrid-based stylist, said Choi's outfit fit the theme well, and "blends Asian history with modern style."
"When ethnic styles are done right, they can really elevate the conversation about inclusivity, diversity, and global traditions," Chan said.
Other K-pop stars who attended the Met Gala on Monday included Blackpink's Lisa, Jennie, and Rosé. Their outfits did not appear to contain Korean-inspired elements.
Rosé wore a black suit with a plunging neckline from Saint Laurent, paired with jewelry from Tiffany & Co.
Lisa sported a lacy bodysuit by Louis Vuitton, and Jennie wore a black tuxedo dress by Chanel.
Other Asian stars did bring some of their culture to the carpet, including Indian musician Diljit Dosanjh.
Dosanjh wore a regal South Asian-inspired outfit designed by Nepalese-American designer Prabal Gurung, complete with a turban and a sword.
K-pop is having a moment in high fashion
Choi's debut at the Met Gala comes as K-pop stars have become major draws for Western luxury brands.
Felix Lee, a singer from the band Stray Kids, walked the runway for Louis Vuitton's March Fall-Winter 2025 show in Paris.
Lisa from Blackpink, who was previously the face of Celine, joined LV as a brand ambassador in July.
And back in 2021, LV tapped BTS as house ambassadors.
"K-pop stars have been fashion trendsetters for several years, in my opinion, especially as the genre's global popularity has grown, but we are seeing more and more K-pop celebrities in Western media overall. Their style has always been daring, fashion forward, and consistently strong," Hennessey said.
Choi's Met Gala appearance comes shortly before the release of their fifth studio album, "HAPPY BURSTDAY," which is set to drop on May 26.
Representatives for Choi and Hugo Boss did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.
