Widespread Korean make-up artists Pony, LeoJ and Cha Hong open pop-up salon in New York for tvN selection present
Almost each side of Korean tradition appears to have gone international, from Ok-pop and Ok-dramas to Ok-food. Now, Ok-beauty is taking its flip within the highlight.
“Excellent Glow” brings Ok-beauty to the streets of Manhattan, the place a few of Korea’s hottest make-up artists convey their craft to a global clientele. The present follows their journey as they open a pop-up magnificence salon in New York Metropolis, providing makeovers to locals desperate to expertise Ok-beauty firsthand.
The elite lineup contains make-up artist and YouTuber Park Hye-min, who, higher identified by her international moniker Pony, operates a YouTube channel that presently has greater than 5.8 million subscribers. Becoming a member of her is fellow magnificence creator LeoJ (Jeong Sang-gyu), whose magnificence YouTube channel has a following of 1.4 million. Rounding out the group is celeb hair designer Kim Hyo-sook, higher generally known as Cha Hong, founding father of Chahong Ardor, considered one of Korea’s hottest hair salon chains.
Ra Mi-ran (“Reply 1988,” “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born”) and Park Min-young (“Marry My Husband,” “Confidence Queen”) seem because the store’s CEO and wonder advisor, respectively, whereas actor Joo Jong-hyuk (“Unmasked”) serves as assistant supervisor of the store, which is named “Danjang” (Korean for “beautify”).
Talking in a web based press convention, producer Kim Sang-ah defined the inspiration for the present’s creation. “I heard that Ok-beauty is gaining recognition within the US, and since Ok-content is already receiving international consideration, I turned curious whether or not that enthusiasm might prolong to magnificence as nicely,” she mentioned. “The challenge started with the thought of letting folks expertise what actual Ok-beauty is like. We selected New York as a result of it’s a hub of developments and tradition the place numerous magnificence types converge.”
The present doesn’t simply highlight methods and contouring — it tells human tales, too. “Ultimately, it’s all about assembly folks,” Kim added. “Since make-up and hair take a very long time to do, we had been capable of seize a variety of the company’ tales.”
Behind the scenes, nonetheless, the artists mentioned they felt the burden of expectation. LeoJ admitted to preliminary doubts about adapting his creator persona to a real-world salon surroundings. “As a content material creator, I wasn’t certain if I’d do nicely spending time with shoppers in a salon-style setting, doing their make-up. Nonetheless, I used to be excited simply to go and do make-up there. … It was really my first time working as a part of a workforce like this, and I used to be so joyful.”
Pony echoed that sentiment, revealing that taking her artistry overseas got here with its personal model of stress. “As a fellow creator, I utterly perceive what LeoJ mentioned. I felt a variety of stress at first. … In Korea, I used to be capable of carry out nicely as a result of I might clarify the merchandise and speak by means of the method whereas doing make-up — however not having the ability to do this made me suppose quite a bit about tips on how to adapt.”
Working within the coronary heart of Manhattan, the artists mentioned they discovered themselves reflecting on cultural nuances in magnificence. Pony famous, “Whereas doing make-up in Manhattan, folks would say issues like, ‘You look so younger,’ or ‘Your pores and skin is wonderful,’ moderately than asking, ‘What product are you utilizing?’ That made me notice how a lot consideration they pay to pores and skin.”
“If American magnificence tends to concentrate on glamour, I felt that Korean magnificence emphasizes pores and skin expression. So once I did make-up, I primarily shared skincare and associated ideas,” she added.
Cha Hong added that no two transformations had been alike. “If you happen to watch the present, you’ll discover there isn’t a single make-up or coiffure that’s the identical. Every look was personalized to the person. You gained’t see any overlap,” she mentioned. “Our shoppers got here from all walks of life — totally different genders, ages and backgrounds — so be sure you watch how every of them transforms.”
The present premieres Saturday at 10:50 p.m. on tvN.
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