Latest news with #HongikUniversity
The Star
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Sean 'Hongdae Guy' Solo is in Malaysia, invites fans to hang out with him today
Photo: Sean Solo/nstagram Sean Solo (pic), better known online as the 'Hongdae Guy', has touched down in Kuala Lumpur, bringing his infamous catchphrases and comedic flair with him. He has shared his locations with followers on his Instagram today (July 24) saying that he will be in the "Sunway area" around noon, specifically stating that he will be at Myburgerlab Sunway University Area at 12pm followed by Sunway Pyramid's Oasis area at 2pm. In a quick video update, he will be shooting content and hanging out around those spots and welcomed followers to come "Say hi and hang out", telling his followers to just come say hi as he would love to meet them. "I had such a good time in Malaysia today, Kuala Lumpur is awesome, I love it, amazing. The people, food," he said in the clip. Known for his sharp-witted skits that mock the exaggerated behaviour of certain young men in Seoul's buzzing Hongdae district, Sean has carved a name for himself through his unique comedic style. With overly expressive gestures and hilariously awkward English, such as 'Do you live alone?' and 'Are you open-minded?', his videos parody the bold, often cringeworthy attempts made by some local men to woo foreign tourists, particularly Western women around the Hongdae nightlife scene. Hongdae, located near Hongik University in Seoul's Mapo area, is a hotspot for nightlife, street performances and alternative youth culture. It's a favourite among local students and international visitors alike. Within this energetic setting, the 'Hongdae Guy' persona emerged as a satirical symbol of a certain type of overconfident young man, and Sean's take on it has struck a chord with global audiences. Earlier this month, Sean teased fans via his Instagram story, announcing his upcoming trip: 'Going to Malaysia 22nd to 25th! Who should I collab with?,' he wrote, hinting at future collaborations and inviting suggestions from his followers. Sean, also known by his TikTok handle @itsseansolo, helped turn the 'Hongdae guy' stereotype into an international comedy trend. His sketches expose the awkward charm and misplaced confidence of these fictional characters, poking fun while maintaining a light-hearted tone. As a result, his content has not only gained massive online traction but also made his catchphrases part of global meme culture. – Sinar Daily
Sinar Daily
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Sean "Hongdae Guy" Solo is in Malaysia, updates will be hanging in Sunway today
SHAH ALAM – Sean Solo, better known online as the 'Hongdae Guy,' has touched down in Kuala Lumpur, bringing his infamous catchphrases and comedic flair with him. He has shared his locations with followers on his Instagram today saying that he will be in the "Sunway area" around noon, specifically stating that he will be at Myburgerlab Sunway University Area at 12pm followed by Sunway Pyramid's Oasis area at 2pm. In a quick video update, he will be shooting content and hanging out around those spots and welcomed followers to come "Say hi and hang out", telling his followers to just come say hi as he would love to meet them. "I had such a good time in Malaysia today, Kuala Lumpur is awesome, I love it, amazing. The people, food," he said in the clip. Known for his sharp-witted skits that mock the exaggerated behaviour of certain young men in Seoul's buzzing Hongdae district, Sean has carved a name for himself through his unique comedic style. With overly expressive gestures and hilariously awkward English, such as 'Do you live alone?' and 'Are you open-minded?', his videos parody the bold, often cringeworthy attempts made by some local men to woo foreign tourists, particularly Western women around the Hongdae nightlife scene. Hongdae, located near Hongik University in Seoul's Mapo area, is a hotspot for nightlife, street performances and alternative youth culture. It's a favorite among local students and international visitors alike. Within this energetic setting, the 'Hongdae Guy' persona emerged as a satirical symbol of a certain type of overconfident young man, and Sean's take on it has struck a chord with global audiences. Sean's Instastory Updates in Kuala Lumpur - Credit photo: Instagram / @itsseansolo Earlier in July, Sean teased fans via his Instagram story, announcing his upcoming trip: 'Going to Malaysia 22nd to 25th! Who should I collab with?,' he wrote, hinting at future collaborations and inviting suggestions from his followers. Sean, also known by his TikTok handle @itsseansolo, helped turn the 'Hongdae guy' stereotype into an international comedy trend. His sketches expose the awkward charm and misplaced confidence of these fictional characters, poking fun while maintaining a light-hearted tone. As a result, his content has not only gained massive online traction but also made his catchphrases part of global meme culture. Among his standout collaborations is one with Malaysian influencer Timur Gabriel, daughter of legendary Malaysian singer Zainal Abidin. Their joint parody videos blend Malaysian and Korean humour effortlessly, demonstrating their creative chemistry. Timur, now dubbed 'Malaysia's face of the Hongdae trend' by TikTok followers, made waves with her stylish looks and charismatic presence. The collaboration was widely embraced, with many Malaysians expressing pride in seeing a local figure spotlighted in such a cross-cultural internet phenomenon. The cultural exchange didn't go unnoticed. Fans celebrated the way these collaborations broke boundaries, proving how social media can bridge different worlds through humour and creativity. With Sean now on Malaysian soil, the buzz is real as anticipation runs high for Sean Solo's signature comedy style to make a lasting mark on Kuala Lumpur.
Korea Herald
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
How Lee Min-seo turned drum leather into award-winning jewelry
Hongik University's Lee Min-seo transforms discarded drum leather into wearable art, earning international recognition at the Kering Generation Award X Jewelry Lee Min-seo, a graduate student at Hongik University in Seoul, was named the first university category winner of the Kering Generation Award X Jewelry, a global competition that champions sustainability and innovation in design. The award, presented by French luxury group Kering — owner of brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent and Boucheron— was announced during the JCK Las Vegas Show on June 7. Lee's winning jewelry collection, titled 'Rhythm Reborn,' reimagines discarded leather from the traditional Korean drum, janggu, into intricate and wearable pieces of art. 'Over 10 universities from around the world competed in the event,' Lee told The Korea Herald. 'Hongik University was the only one from Korea, and five students were selected to represent our department. I feel incredibly honored and grateful that my work was chosen.' Lee's collection explores the cultural and emotional resonance of the janggu, with a strong emphasis on rhythm and repetition. 'I used to play janggu in elementary school as part of a samulnori club, which is how I first learned that the drum's leather can wear out and tear,' she said. 'When I saw that the competition focused on sustainability and waste, I immediately thought about how meaningful it would be to give those discarded materials a second life.' Her design process was technically challenging, as animal hides like cow or sheep leather — commonly used in making janggu — are highly sensitive to moisture and temperature. 'I had to clean the leather thoroughly, which meant using water. Then I sliced it thinly, inserted it into metal frames, soaked it and bent it while wet. Once I applied heat, the shape would set. It was a way of using the material's vulnerability as a strength,' Lee said. The Kering Generation Award X Jewelry was launched this year in collaboration with the World Jewellery Confederation and Politecnico di Milano. It was designed to discover and support new talent in sustainable luxury design. The 2025 theme, 'Second Chance, First Choice,' encouraged participants to view discarded materials as valuable resources. 'I interpreted the theme as giving discarded materials a second life, then presenting them in a way that would make them worthy of being someone's first choice again,' Lee said. 'That's what I aimed to do with 'Rhythm Reborn'.' For Lee, tradition and sustainability are deeply connected — both conceptually and emotionally. 'Tradition is often seen as something from the past, but I believe it's something we can adapt and reinterpret,' she said. 'Design should not only be about making something beautiful — it should also carry meaning, responsibility and a story.' This philosophy extends to her broader approach to art jewelry, which she views as both wearable and collectible. 'One of my collectors told me they planned to display my piece on the wall like an artwork,' she said. 'That's what art jewelry is — it exists somewhere between fashion, memory and fine art.' Lee is currently a graduate student at Hongik University's Department of Metal Arts and Design. She credits her education for helping shape her artistic identity and visual language. 'My MFA thesis exhibition was a turning point,' she said. 'I created pieces using repeating comma-shaped units. It was exhausting but helped solidify who I am as an artist.' She recently curated an upcycling-themed exhibition in Seoul and is planning more solo exhibitions in the future. As for future collaborations, discussions are underway with several brands, though no details have been finalized. 'There are opportunities for mentoring and possibly working with a luxury jewelry brand, but nothing has been confirmed yet,' she said. 'Still, I'd love to explore that world. I usually work with larger metal pieces, so seeing how luxury brands approach things like fine jewelry would be a valuable experience.' Lee cites Boucheron and Japanese-born artist Junko Mori as ongoing inspirations. 'Junko Mori's dense, organic forms really resonate with me. I love repetition and detail, and her work reminds me of that,' she said. Ultimately, Lee hopes to be remembered as a designer with a clear voice. 'I like clarity,' she said. 'I want my work to be instantly recognizable — something that stays in people's hearts. Sustainability isn't just about protecting the environment. It's also about preserving memory.' yoohong@
Korea Herald
17-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Korean student wins 1st-ever Kering Generation Award X Jewelry
The inaugural Kering Generation Award X Jewelry, presented by global luxury group Kering, named its first-ever university category winner Lee Min-seo, a student at Hongik University in Seoul, South Korea. Lee's groundbreaking collection, "Rhythm Reborn," reimagines discarded materials from traditional Korean percussion instruments, earning her international recognition for innovation in sustainable design. The competition, a collaboration between Kering, the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and Politecnico di Milano, invited university students and startups to create jewelry pieces or collections using recycled or discarded materials. The theme for this year's competition, 'Second Chance, First Choice,' challenged participants to redefine waste as a resource while celebrating sustainability and craftsmanship. Lee's collection incorporates leather from the janggu, a traditional Korean drum, drawing inspiration from the deep cultural and historical significance of the instrument. By transforming the drum's worn leather into bold and intricate jewelry, Lee breathes new life into the ancient tradition, while also addressing the pressing need for eco-conscious design in the fashion and jewelry industries. The Kering Generation Award X Jewelry, a global initiative to uncover the next generation of jewelry talent, was launched this year as part of Kering's commitment to fostering innovation in the luxury and jewelry sectors. The competition drew applicants from around the world, with participants representing 10 universities and academies. The award ceremony took place at the prestigious JCK Las Vegas Show on June 7, where Kering, a group that owns luxury brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, celebrated Lee's accomplishments.
Korea Herald
11-06-2025
- Korea Herald
20 years after restoration, stretch of Cheonggyecheon opens to public
Marking 20 years since its revival, Cheonggyecheon, an artificially restored stream running through central Seoul, opened its upper section to the public Wednesday, Families and tourists strolled along the section from Cheonggye Plaza to Gwangtong Bridge, which had long been off-limits, cooling off by dipping their feet in the water. Children turned the stream into a playground, splashing near the waterfall and stepping across the stones one by one. Visitors can access the stream's newly opened section daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through June 22, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Decades ago, the stream lay neglected and filled with trash beneath a highway. Restored in 2005, the 5.8-kilometer-long stream now stands as one of the city's most iconic landmarks, offering a summer oasis with bridges, waterfalls and lush greenery. At Seoul City Hall on the same day, experts gathered for the 2025 Water Seoul International Conference to explore Cheonggyecheon's 20-year legacy and the future of urban waterways amid the climate crisis. Meanwhile, a talk will be held Friday at Cheonggye Plaza, where Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Yoo Hyun-joon, a professor of architecture at Hongik University, will discuss the stream's past and future with citizens.
