Each day, Complex will be releasing new content from the 2010 Style & Design Issue, our annual roundup of the people, products, and ideas pushing our culture. Visit the Style & Design Homepage for more.
Part of Complex's Style and Design package looks at the new style frontiers—the emerging areas that are helping to push global trends. We'll continue to look at Japan for both inspiration and cultural influence, but as the world shrinks, the spots we're checking for are going beyond that little island in the East. South Korea is making moves, so we got up with Jayass, the founder of HUMANTREE, and owner/creative director of the clothing brand Buried Alive to take us through trends that are currently popping in his hometown of Seoul. Hit the jump for his list of 10 things you should be up on coming out of Seoul...
1. KIM YU-NA
Jayass says: "This ice figure skater is an icon right now in Korea."
2. MAKGEOLLI
Jayass says: "A Korean traditional rice alcohol. It's popular for young people out partying and with Japanese tourists."
3. KAKAO TALK
Jayass says: "A free chat application for Korean iPhone users. Everyone with an iPhone uses Kakao Talk, kind of like BBM on BlackBerry in the States."
4. HOT6
Jayass says: "A new Korean energy drink. We don't have Red Bull in Korea so it's kind of a fake RedBull, but it's funny because the name sounds like 'Hot Sex.'"
5. GAROSU-GIL
Jayass says: "A good neighborhood in Seoul. There are lots of fancy cafes and restaurants here, and this is where all of the good stores, galleries, and studios are."
6. SCANDINAVIAN INFLUENCE
Jayass says: "There are lots of local streetwear brands channeling Scandinavia these days. Young people are wearing retro rave fashion with strange cuts and vintage colors."
7. BURIED ALIVE
Jayass says: "I recommend Buried Alive for sho! It's my brand, and it is one of the O.G. Korean streetwear labels with funky and hardcore graphic tees. We also do fine cut-and-sew pieces."
8. OUTDOOR MUSIC FESTIVALS
Jayass says: "Like a lot of cities during the summer, there are lots of outdoor music festivals here. We go out and listen to music, dance, drink, chill, and relax. In Seoul, we can drink alcohol everywhere so it's always fun when you can hang out and hold a can of beer in your hand."
9. BIG BANG
Jayass says: "This is one of best idol groups in Korea. They are not just music, they are also a big fashion influence on Korean culture. Their company is YG, and they always make good music with good producers. Big Bang's new album is coming out soon, so Korean young girls will be going crazy."
10. THE 2010 WORLD CUP
Jayass says: "Uhu! No comment about this! The Korean street cheer movement got so crazy. Everybody wearing red tees and going nuts out into the streets. It was real hell."
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Loc August 5th, 2010 at 01:11 AM
No Super Junior or Wonder girls? FOR SHAME!!!
Lollipop August 10th, 2010 at 01:22 AM
Nah. It's not a shame. Big Bang deserved to be recognize for their RAW talent and PURE passion for music. Each Big Bang members bring individual personality that fits together well in one package. They bring REAL music, something different from the usual KPOP catchy, cliche, pop, bubblegum song. More music critics praised them for their works of music. More people recognize them more as artists rather than "idols".
uzzie-zera August 10th, 2010 at 01:40 AM
thanks for sharing BIGBANG to us.. not only korean girls.. VIPs all over the world are going crazy over them.. and yes i do agree that it's not a shame!! they really do deserve to be recognized by their true talent!!! BIGBANG is the BEST out there :)
loser August 10th, 2010 at 02:02 AM
LOL Wonder Girls and Super Junior are for preteens.
op August 10th, 2010 at 02:04 AM
Super Junior/Wonder Girls make catchy songs but they're no as influential in Korean pop culture as BIG BANG.
London Calling August 5th, 2010 at 06:16 PM
Great list. Learned a lot of things about SK I didn't know before.
VSVIPheartsDaesung August 10th, 2010 at 12:34 AM
Thank you for spreading the word on Big Bang! But its not just korean girls going crazy for them anymore! VIP's (Big Bang fans) live in many countries and are many races! Like me!
VIP4ever August 10th, 2010 at 01:43 AM
BIGBANG fo sho are not just any ordinary idols. They are the best and greatest artists in S.Korea. I agree with Lollipop. Their passion for music is what brought them to the top.
phithanhphongVIP VN August 10th, 2010 at 09:10 AM
Big Bang so great!!! VIP together forever with them ^^ !!!
Inara August 11th, 2010 at 02:48 AM
HELLYES! bigbang definitely deserves to be on that list. bigbang is way more talented than all those groups who just look cute and dance well. bigbang is more than that. BB FTW! :D COME TO SINGAPORE!
Yncon Le August 11th, 2010 at 04:39 AM
i love them
Metrocard September 15th, 2010 at 12:41 PM
Since all the comments listed are about Big Bang, I would like to add the main characters of this list are JayAss (www.JayAss.com), and his brand Buried Alive (http://humantree.co.kr/). And yeah, Big Bang's cool.