[Interview] Idol Hair Designer, Director Park Naeju of Bit & Brush

Director Park Naeju in charge of hair styles for EXO, BTS, and NCT
Runs the YouTube channel 'Naejuje'

Bit & Brush Salon Director Naeju Park

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eunji] EXO's Sehun and Chanyeol appeared in the first video and first screen of a newly launched YouTube channel. Their opening line was "Subscribe, like, and turn on notifications. Definitely!". The two members jointly cheered for Park Naeju, the director of Bit & Brush in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul.

Director Park Naeju left behind 10 years of experience built in Anyang to restart as an assistant in Cheongdam-dong. Taking a leap with the thought that "it has to be now or never," Park Naeju has now established herself as a hair designer responsible for styling popular groups such as EXO, BTS, NCT, and TWICE.

"I started working in hair and built about 10 years of experience in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do. Later, I got the opportunity to participate in photo shoots and entered Cheongdam-dong. I was thirty years old then. Thinking 'it has to be now or never,' I restarted as an assistant and worked as a freelance designer before opening Bit & Brush in 2018." (Director Park Naeju)

Director Park Naeju gathered images to find hair colors and styles for idol group members. She browsed overseas collections and beauty sites, organizing various proposals and combining them while adding ideas. As a result, a new hairstyle was completed that reflected Park Naeju’s style.

"Whenever I have time, I try to find proposals to get inspiration. I organize various proposals by style. During photo shoots or concept meetings, I combine images to add ideas. As a result, many of the styles I like are reflected. Also, I was able to suggest various styles first."

Group EXO's Chanyeol, Sehun, Baekhyun. Photo by YouTube channel 'Naejuje'.

When developing new concepts, she held meetings and coordination sessions with idols to finalize hair style designs. Especially with EXO, she has maintained a relationship for nearly 10 years. The hair style she was most satisfied with so far was Baekhyun’s platinum blonde style.

"When preparing new concepts, I organize proposals with the team I work with. We meet with idol members who will work with us, bringing proposals that include colors and styles. Personally, I liked Baekhyun’s platinum blonde concept. The bleaching process of Baekhyun was also uploaded on the 'Naejuje' YouTube channel. Many people watched it, which made it even more rewarding."

Director Park Naeju’s 'Naejuje,' which she started 'recklessly,' attracted 90,000 subscribers within two months of its launch. Several videos have already surpassed 1 million views. For Director Park Naeju, YouTube is "still a challenging field but a space where various content can be shown." She expressed her determination to create unique videos, saying, "I will try everything I can."

"(YouTube) is a field I don’t know well and find difficult, but I wanted to challenge myself, so I started recklessly. I find new attempts more attractive than settling down. I plan to create various content related to hair on YouTube. I am trying to do everything I can."

The comment responses are also enthusiastic. The comment section of the 'Naejuje' channel is already filled with voices from idol group fans. Director Park Naeju is also listening to these fans’ stories. She plans to create styles that better suit and fit idol members by checking the suggestions and proposals fans send.

"Fans send many suggestions and proposals. The designs are unique and new. Considering the feedback from fans, I am trying my best to create styles that fit the artists. I am always grateful for the great interest, support, and advice. I will not settle for now and will strive to improve further."