Han Dong-hoon's Fashion Topping Real-Time Search, a Walking Billboard [Celebrities' Must-Have Items]

Hyundai High School Alumni Lee Jung-jae and Hoodie-Clad Meeting Sparks Attention
Scarf, Glasses, Briefcase, and Tie Also Draw Notice

Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, can be said to be the most noticed Korean male politician in history for his attire.

[Image source=Captured from Jang Ye-chan, former Youth Supreme Committee Member's Facebook]

The widespread popularity of social networking services (SNS) such as Instagram, where photos can be easily shared, along with Chairman Han’s relatively young and differentiated image compared to traditional politicians, seem to have influenced this.

In the SNS era, where photos are widely and rapidly shared, attire can be an important means of conveying a message. Politicians cannot help but pay attention to their clothing. Chairman Han is likely aware of what kind of image of himself is being shared online. The photo of him meeting Lee Jung-jae, an actor and director who was a classmate at Hyundai High School, in early last month serves as evidence of this.

Lee Jung-jae became a global star overnight with the huge success of the Netflix drama "Squid Game." It was obvious that a meeting with Lee Jung-jae would attract public attention. Chairman Han and Lee Jung-jae readily agreed to a citizen’s request to take a photo, and the photo became a hot topic on SNS. The meeting with Lee Jung-jae further strengthened Chairman Han’s young and fresh image. Usually dressed in suits, he attracted even more attention by wearing comfortable casual clothes when meeting his high school classmate. At that time, Chairman Han wore a "Lifework" hoodie and handmade sneakers. The handmade sneakers were known to be from the Norwegian brand "Umei."

Chairman Han also attracted attention for his light and comfortable attire during his visit to Busan on the 10th and 11th. On the afternoon of the 10th, he visited Jagalchi Market wearing a comfortable outfit consisting of a gray sweatshirt and gray coat, and had dinner with local assembly members. The sweatshirt especially drew significant attention online. It was identified as a product from a domestic brand called "Man to Man," and it even ranked first in real-time rankings on the online shopping mall "Musinsa" that afternoon.

The sweatshirt prominently featured the number "1992," which caught the eye. Busan is a baseball city. Baseball-loving citizens of Busan know that 1992 was the last year the Lotte Giants won the championship. Whether intentional or not, Chairman Han conveyed a message of hoping for the Lotte Giants’ victory, thereby appealing to baseball-loving Busan citizens. 1992 is also Chairman Han’s university enrollment year.

After stepping down as Minister of Justice on the 21st of last month, Han joined the People Power Party the next day and began his full-fledged political career. Just four days after joining, he immediately became the Emergency Response Committee Chairman. The image he must show most is one of reform and change. His use of light casual attire can be interpreted as a demonstration of his will for change and reform through clothing that differentiates him from the traditional politicians who are stereotypically dressed in suits.

Chairman Han has been classified as a close aide to President Yoon Seok-youl, and as President Yoon began to attract attention as a politician, Han also came under media spotlight. Since then, his distinctive attire has always been a subject of attention.

When Chairman Han appeared as a witness in January 2022 at the defamation trial of former Roh Moo-hyun Foundation director Yoo Si-min, his bright red and green scarf became a hot topic. The scarf he wore was from the Italian brand "Acquiri." Priced around 100,000 won, the product sold out quickly once it became known that he had worn it.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

During his tenure as Minister of Justice, the British brand Oliver Goldsmith Vice-Consul glasses and the domestic brand David & Hannel briefcase he wore also attracted attention. The David & Hannel briefcase was priced in the 300,000 won range, and reports said the product sold out and the company’s website traffic increased 100-fold at that time.

A necktie engraved with the phrase "Yongbieocheonga" also drew attention. Chairman Han wore this tie at the Ministry of Justice inauguration ceremony in May last year and at the Emergency Response Committee Chairman appointment acceptance speech on the 26th of last month, attracting attention each time he took on a new position. The tie became even more talked about when it was revealed that it cost only 9,000 won.

Thanks to the influence of SNS, politicians’ attire is receiving more attention than ever. Standing about 180 cm tall with a neat appearance, Chairman Han may be the politician best suited for the SNS era.