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Meet Asia’s first Prada model Kim Won-joong

February 3, 2015

Model Kim Won-joong during an interview with The Korea Times on Jan. 29. (Korea Times photo by Kwon Ji-youn)

By Kim Jae-heun

The first-ever Asian model to walk on a runway show of Italian luxury fashion house Prada, Kim Won-joong, 28, had no prospects of becoming a model when he was only 170 centimeters (5′ 7″) tall in his junior year of high school.

Kim dropped out in his first semester of college and began working part-time at clothing store. He had no dreams at that stage and didn’t expect much success in any field.

Now, things are different; Kim is a model with great career prospects. He has participated in high-end fashion brand shows such as Kenzo, Etro and Prada in 2013 and Neil Barrett and Corneliani in 2014.

Kim also launched his own brand called 87mm with two other friends and debuted as a fashion designer at the 2015 S/S Seoul Fashion Week.

Kim may not have a bachelor’s degree, nor a job at big company that Korean society demands. Regardless, he has made history in the fashion field and people have even started to call him “King Won-joong.”

Q: Did you want to become a fashion model when you were young?

A: No, I never thought I would become one because I was a short boy with no particular talent. But I grew 10 centimeters (four inches) in just a month in my junior year.

Q: How did you debut as a fashion model?

A: Right after I was discharged from the army in August 2009, I started working part-time at a clothing store called American Apparel. Although it was a small job, I was proud that I was working in the fashion industry because I wanted to become a fashion designer. Then, I met a casting director of Curmas Model Agency, who convinced me that I could experience top quality fashion and get to know many industry insiders. So, I took his offer.

PRADA

Q: You are the first Asian to participate in a Prada show. How did that happen?

A: I first went to Paris. Unlike in Korea, it is imperative to be with a local agency to audition for the shows. Unfortunately, the French agency told me the market for Asian models was not ready in France and suggested I come back next year. So, I just decided to give Milan a shot because a ticket to Italy was not so expensive and it was nearby. Luckily, I joined a high-profile agency called I LOVE Models management. That season, I got picked by Etro and Costume National as well as Prada. I was just lucky. I never asked why they chose me because I was so nervous.

Q: What was it like to compete at a world-class level?

A: It was my first time traveling outside of the country and everybody looked the same to me. The language was also a big barrier and all I could ask was to invite someone to eat together. I felt homesick after only a few days.

Q: How is the environment different in Europe compared to Korea?

A: The situation is different. In Europe, most of the models are from different countries who only visit for a few days to audition for the show. Nobody is at home and everyone is different from each other. It’s actually quite funny. But, in Korea, you go home when you are done auditioning.

Q: You are well-known for an innate fashion sense. Where did you learn that from?

A: I never studied fashion, but had many favorite muses who inspired me, such as Eita, Matsuda Ryuhei, Tilda Swinton and Cole Mohr. I looked them up on the Internet a lot and searched for their profiles. I watched many of their video clips and photos and I suppose they affected me without noticing. In terms of design, Raf Simons and Jil Sander inspired me.

KENZO

Q: You have debuted as a designer. How does that feel?

A: I made my debut last October and it was overwhelming. I put a lot of time and effort into my collection, but I felt shy in revealing them in front of an audience. Some people were doubtful and I wasn’t fully confidant either. Thankfully, people liked my clothes. I guess I sought acknowledgement for my designs.

Q: Do you see yourself as a model or a designer?

A: I see myself as a model more than a designer. I would not have become a fashion designer if I had not succeeded as a model.

Q: What would you be now, if you had not became a model?

A: I don’t know, but I am doubtful that my future would have been dark. I would have probably worked in the fashion field anyways, because this is what I like to do and I don’t think I would be doing something uninteresting to me.

Q: Do you have any plan to become an actor?

A: I do have interest in the entertainment field, but I do not want to go beyond my responsibility. I don’t even know what I want to do if I become popular as an actor. I want to be respected in my field as a model for now.

Q: When will you model until?

A: I want to walk on the runway as long as possible like Cha Seung Won.