Make Break Remix: The Rise of K-Style

by Fiona Bae

A bold, stylish look at the global rise of Korean culture and style in the words and images of those shaping and living it. K-pop, K-fashion, K-drama, over the last decade, K-style has exploded onto the global scene. What is behind this phenomenon? Where does K-Style go from here? Make, Break, The Rise of K-Style makes no attempt to define or categorize, instead celebrating the eclectic, multi-faceted nature of K-Style and its home city of Seoul.  Through interviews with eighteen tastemakers who are shaping K-style across creative sectors, from 1Million Studio's Lia Kim to leading K-pop stylist Youngjin Kim and drag pioneer Nana Youngrong Kim, Fiona Bae tells untold stories from true insiders, exploring a sense of identity in their work, how living in Seoul affects them and their creative output, and the decade of changes that has brought about the current K-style. Interwoven with these texts, five distinct photo-essays from celebrated photographer less_TAEKYUN KIM (recent credits including Vogue Korea , i-D Korea , and Dazed ) capture the vibrant energy of Seoul's streets and the incredible style of its youth.  Contributors such as songwriter and A&R Danny Chung, add their own vital perspectives on the scene, while fashion journalist Sukwoo Hong sits down with brands to watch for his K-fashion directory. Designed by Hezin O, with a distinct typography that blends Hangul and Roman writing systems, this is an inventive, genre-breaking look at K-style in the words of those shaping it.  400 color illustrations

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Fashion

304 pages, Paperback

Published November 22, 2022

Reviews

[Annika Pyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool and inspiring to see how different creatives in Korea approach their practice. I love how their unique voices come through in the interview format. Nice range of types of artists, would’ve wanted to hear from more older people cause they know what’s up

[Nataly Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

No todo en la vida es k-pop pero para Corea si fue uno de los boletos actuales para poder seguir creciendo y abriendo fronteras. Este libro contiene entrevistas con distintas figuras de la industria de la moda de Corea y en ellas explican cómo ha sido toda una travesía poder encontrar un nombre propio y una identidad como sociedad teniendo diversas situaciones que la sociedad surcoreana ha tenido que vivir a lo largo de su existencia. Es interesante como el k-style ha surgido y como la ayuda de sus artistas, fotógrafos, músicos, idols… han sido de gran ayuda para esto.

[Ed Fox-Gliddon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really interesting interviews and commentary interspersed with fantastic photography. A comprehensive ground-level look at modern Korean style and culture, covering both the obvious fashion route and branching out into performance, design, cookery and more. Reads like a book length magazine, the end result is fascinating and stylish.

[Laam · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing and informative insight on contemporary Korean creatives. The aesthetics are also stunning; I enjoyed every aspect of it.

[Cash Churchward · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Make Break Remix” served me as thorough base of understanding and introduction to the active and changing idea of what K-Style is. Fiona Bae interviews indie artists at the forefront of their craft, well respected by their peers and deeply knowledgeable about Korean subculture, they provide varied experiences with similar values that contribute to a hardworking and competitive community of artists all trying to push boundaries to explore their artwork and Korean identity. Interspersed between enlightening interviews are carefully selected photos that reinforce the ideas these artists are trying to convey and all of it together creates a rounded picture of the tenacity and groundbreaking ideas that help to make K-Style what it is.

[kish (julia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was informative and inspiring and I loved the photo-essays accompanying it.

[Conor Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting, reflective interviews with creatives, and aesthetically beautiful too from the cover to the interspersed photo essays

[maren · Rating 4 out of 5]

very visually pleasing, and super interesting (especially the last section of the book). totally made me want to get more into fashion

[Taina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miten määritellään k-style? Tämän kirjan haastatteluissa näkemyksensä kertovat nuoret muotisuunnittelijat, sisustussuunnittelijat, taiteilijat, muusikot ja tatuointitaiteilijat. Jokainen kertoo omista lähtökohdistaan sekä pohtii korealaisuuden vaikutusta omaan suunnitteluunsa. Kirjassa on sopivasti underground-fiilis eikä mukana ole esim. k-pop-tähtiä, vaan ennemminkin ruohonjuuritason toimijoita. Puolet kirjasta on aiheeseen liittyviä valokuvia.

Olisin kaivannut hieman järjestelmällisempää otetta, nyt kokonaisuus sisälsi vain haastatteluja toisensa perään ja samat kysymykset toistuivat yhä uudestaan. Silti on hienoa, että nuoret ovat saaneet oman äänensä kuuluviin - ja oli tosi kiinnostavaa käydä tutustumassa kirjassa mainittuihin suunnittelijoiden instatileihin!