A K-pop idol’s pulling power can be so strong that when they recommend or wear a product, it’s often guaranteed to immediately sell out. Especially the ones with a massive cult following.
This is so common that it’s cultivated the term “sold-out star” to describe these idols who hav
e a “Midas touch”.
BTS’ Suga definitely has the “Midas touch”. Photo: @agustd/Instagram
It’s no wonder that so many brands are rushing to seal the deal in partnerships with Korean celebrities. Just earlier this month, houses like Dior and Valentino announced BTS’ Jimin and Suga as their respective brand ambassadors.
So which other “sold-out stars” reign the luxury fashion market?
1. Blackpink’s Jennie had people camping outside Adidas stores after posting a single picture
Blackpink’s Jennie has been dubbed the human Chanel. Photo: @jennierubyjane/Instagram
Jennie is one of the most influential K-pop idols in the fashion world. Known for her sexy-chic style, she has often been dubbed the human Chanel. As the brand’s ambassador, she regularly dresses head-to-toe in Chanel.
The Adidas Samba ADV Black model that Jennie posted a photo of on her Instagram. Photo: Adidas
But the 27-year-old’s influence outside Chanel is also astounding. In a casual photo Jennie posted on Instagram in August 2022, she wore the Adidas Samba ADV Black model. Kbizoom reported that after Jennie posted the photo, fans lined up outside Adidas stores to get a pair, with some even camping overnight to get first dibs!
2. BTS’ Jungkook’s fans aren’t afraid to splurge for their idol
BTS fans, better known as ARMYs, are notorious for taking their love for the boys to the next level. The golden maknae (youngest member of the group) Jungkook has emptied the shelves of Prada not once, but twice!
For the cover of the August 2020 edition of Vogue Japan, the 25-year-old wore Prada’s Nylon Gabardine Blouson Jacket. The US$3,000 jacket sold out online in 25 countries, according to reports.
BTS’ Jungkook wore Prada boots during a live broadcast. Photo: @BTSCapiz/Facebook
Another time, during a live broadcast with the rest of the band members, Jungkook sported Prada’s US$1,200 chunky sole combat boots and almost immediately, they were grabbed by fans, per Koreaboo.
3. Blackpink’s Rosé clears YSL shelves
Blackpink’s Rosé is Yves Saint Laurent’s ambassador. Photo: Blackpink/YouTube
The vocalist of Blackpink, Rosé, became the global ambassador for Yves Saint Laurent in 2020. Within a month of the announcement, The Straits Times reported that interest in the brand increased by 1000 per cent in multiple countries.
During the 2021 Blackpink online concert, The Show, the 25-year-old’s US$15,000 statement piece was an oversized YSL feather jacket and fans cleared the item from shelves within days, per Koreaboo.
4. G-Dragon’s collaboration with Nike sold out as soon as it released
G-Dragon had a very lucrative collaboration with the Nike x Peaceminusone Para-Noise Airforce trainers. Photo: @peaceminusonedotcom/Instagram
Often regarded as the fashion powerhouse of K-pop, G-Dragon has his own fashion company Peaceminusone and items are constantly out of stock.
Nike’s Air Force 1 Para-Noise shoes sold out worldwide. Photo: Stockx
But outside his company, the 34-year-old’s collaborations with other brands are also quite successful thanks to his personal designs. One of his most successful collaborations was with Nike. Their Air Force 1 Para-Noise shoes were released officially in November 2019 but sold out worldwide within minutes, via Allkpop.
5. BTS’ Jimin wore an LV pullover which also sold out, even though he wasn’t intentionally promoting it
BTS’ Jimin is one of the top sold-out kings. Photo: @Jimin_INTL/Twitter
Given BTS’ international popularity, it’s a given that they’re one of the top “sold-out kings”.
The Louis Vuitton Clock Intarsia pullover Jimin wore. Photo: Louis Vuitton
In January 2021, the boys uploaded a video of themselves accepting a Louis Vuitton event invitation on their official Twitter. One of the members, Jimin, was dressed in Louis Vuitton’s Clock Intarsia jumper. Within the next 24 hours, the US$1,000 pullover became unavailable on the brand’s US and South Korea websites, per Allkpop. The same source stated that the 27-year-old wasn’t officially promoting the product.
6. Jackson Wang x Fendi collaboration sells out
Got7’s Jackson Wang is repping several luxury brands. Photo: @jacksonwang852g7/Instagram
Got7’s Jackson Wang is quite a presence in the fashion scene, repping multiple luxury fashion houses and having his own brand Team Wang.
But the brand that he seems to resonate with the most is Fendi. In fact, the 28-year-old is occasionally also known as “Fendiman”, named after one of his song titles, and because of his long ongoing relationship with the brand, via WWD.
Jackson Wang’s limited-edition collaboration with Fendi sold out following its launch. Photo: @jacksonwang852/Twitter
In 2019, the Hong Kong-born K-pop star unveiled a collaboration with Fendi in which he himself took part in designing the items. Given Wang’s huge popularity in China, Soompi reported the limited-edition collaboration immediately sold out following its initial launch.
7. BTS’ V wore a Tom Ford suit and shortly after, it sold out
Netizens have dubbed BTS’ V as the out-of-stock fairy. Photo: @BTS_twt/Twitter
Kim Tae-hyung, better known by his moniker V, has been dubbed the “out-of-stock fairy” because his merchandise is almost always the first to sell out in the seven-member group.
V wears a Tom Ford grey suit that costs around US$5000. Photo: @BTS_twt/Twitter
And the 27-year-old continues to prove himself as a “sold-out king” after causing a US$5,000 Tom Ford grey suit to sell out in 2020, per Allkpop. He wore the suit for a photoshoot posted on BTS’ official Twitter, appearing sharp and charismatic.
8. Exo’s Kai’s unintentional Gucci “friendship” ring
In 2019, Exo’s Kai became Gucci’s first-ever South Korean global ambassador, and he proved he was truly a “sold-out king” by causing the brand’s items to sell out quickly.
Gucci’s interlocking G ring that’s also known as the friendship ring with Kai by fans. Photo: Zalora
As a brand ambassador, the 29-year-old is consistently repping the brand and successfully so because one of his airport outfits caught the attention of fans. He was dressed in Gucci from head-to-toe but the highlight of it all was his silver Gucci ring.
According to Koreaboo, the ring immediately sold out as fans rushed to get their hands on the accessory that they have since deemed as their “friendship” ring with Kai.
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