From Blackpink songwriter Danny Chung to Brad Pitt’s tattooist Doy, the book ‘Make, Break, Remix: The Rise of K-Style’ sheds light on people shaping Korean culture from behind the scenes
Since exploding on the international scene in the last few decades, Korean culture—and indeed all things Korean, from fashion to food—has continued to fascinate people across countries. This wave of popularity, also known as “hallyu” (or Korean wave) has swept across continents, igniting a passion for Korean dramas, K-pop and Korean celebs.
In her book, Make, Break, Remix: The Rise of K-Style, author and PR consultant Fiona Bae investigates this very phenomenon of why and how the hallyu wave has become a global cultural phenomenon.
In case you missed it: Byoung Soo Cho, co-curator of Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, on how a career in architecture led to a love for the arts
Bae interviewed 18 creatives who has helped shaped Korean culture across various disciplines in recent decades, including Lia Kim, choreographer and co-founder of 1Million Dance Studio (which is widely popular on YouTube); Hwang So Yoon, lead vocalist of indie rock band Se So Neon; Doy, tattooist to the likes of Brad Pitt; Teo Yang, architect and designer; Danny Chung, songwriter for Blackpink; and Sukwoo Hong, fashion journalist. Interwoven throughout the book are five distinct photo-essays from celebrated photographer Tae Kyun Kim, whose work has been published in several international media publications.
“Korean style is a very eclectic mix,” Bae tells Tatler. “I thought it was important to look beyond the visible stars in the industry and seek out people who were influencing and shaping it from behind the scenes. It’s full of contrast, irony and different cultural influences, that’s why I came up with the title Make, Break, Remix.”
The author explores the reasons behind the meteoric rise of K-culture, identifying technological advancement and global exposure as two defining factors. “You can absorb trends, or whatever is cool out there, whether it’s from Japan or South America or Africa. South Koreans are especially digitally savvy, [social media and technology] have became powerful tools for young Korean creatives.”
Also read: From Le Sserafim to 2PM’s Taecyeon, 5 Korean stars visiting Hong Kong in autumn 2023
