4th Gen K-Pop Idol Defends Stylists, Revealing How Little Control They Have Over What They Wear 

While K-Pop is known for its unique concepts and bold fashion choices, there are always certain styles that fans aren’t actually fans of. It’s common to see netizens express their dismay on social media when such a case occurs, commenting, “Fire their stylist.” 

Former SECRET NUMBER member Denise has read many of these comments on not only her own content online but also other idols’ in which stylists are criticized. She explained why such comments bother her.

They’re posting like, ‘What are these outfits?’ Like, ‘Fire their stylist,’ and things like that. But the stylist do not have any control sometimes! I’m gonna tell you.

— Denise

Denise

Denise did a storytime in a recent get-ready-with-me style video via TikTok. She revealed that her stylist would always style beautiful outfits that she loved…

‘Cause sometimes my stylist would create and like pull out the most beautiful outfit, and I’d be like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so c*nty. I love this!’

— Denise

Only for the outfits to get rejected by higher-ups at the group’s company. These higher-ups were older men who would criticize and give suggestions to the stylists until the outfits were changed to their liking.

And then they would send it up for approval, and then they would be like, ‘Trash! Change it.’ And the gag for me, honestly, was just the fact that these are men saying this. Not that men can’t have style, but these are old*ss men. …They would give suggestions on the styling.

— Denise

[Video could not be displayed]

Eventually, the stylist found a solution to the dilemma. She would intentionally make the designs bad and send them back for approval, making the higher-ups prefer the better designs.

We would come back, and then it got to a point where our stylist, so we would take the photos after our fittings to send, she would deliberately make it uglier just so that they would say yes. Once we kind of figured out that formula, the outfits started going through.

— Denise

Unrelated image of Lovelyz’s styling used for illustrative purposes | Woollim Entertainment via Instiz

Still, Denise felt terrible for her stylist having to endure these struggles, knowing she was a hired professional whose work wasn’t being respected. Likewise, she can’t stand netizen comments that target stylists.

And I felt really bad for my stylist because this is her job, she knows what she’s doing, but then for some reason, these old*ss men are coming and telling her what to do as if they know better than her. It just kind of irked me. I understand that they have an image and a concept that they want, but, it’s just in the sense where you hired professionals to do this, let the professionals do their job.

— Denise

Unrelated image of Girls’ Generation’s stylist Seo Soo Kyung used for illustrative purposes | Park Hyun-koo/Korea Herald

Denise emphasized that nearly everyone in the industry is not only trying to get their job done but is underpaid. They’re all going through their own struggles and don’t deserve hate comments suggesting one be fired.

But I would just hate seeing those comments ’cause half the time, they’re honestly just doing what they’re told, which is most of the people in the K-Pop industry. Everyone’s just trying to get their check and go home, which is actually funny, ’cause I’m pretty sure a lot of them are severely underpaid like me. ‘Cause if you think your faves are getting paid, think again.

— Denise

Unrelated image of Girls’ Generation’s stylist Seo Soo Kyung used for illustrative purposes | Park Hyun-koo/Korea Herald

Denise said that being the one to perform on stage was hard enough. Yet, she couldn’t imagine being one of the stylists or hair and makeup artists on the sidelines and working so many hours.

They don’t get enough credit for all the work that they do because they’re there from like top to bottom. Like they’re there from the moment you wake up because they have to get there first, to be honest, because they have to open the shop and they have to put all their equipment out and then do your hair and makeup and then pack it up and then come with you to the shoot. And then they have to retouch your hair and makeup and be there all the time. And they leave like after you do…

— Denise

[Video could not be displayed]Unrelated GIF of ITZY’s Yeji used for illustrative purposes

Denise still talks to some of those she worked with today, although she departed her entertainment company and group.

Additionally, Denise told a story about how her stylists saved the day when her skirt got stained. Read more below.

4th Gen K-Pop Idol Bled Through Her Music Show Outfit While On Her Period