"I'm a Woman Who Completed Military Service in Korea"... Chao Lu's Surprise Meeting with First Lady Kim Hye-kyung in Shanghai Draws Attention

First Lady Kim Hye-kyung Promotes K-Beauty in China
"One Mask Pack a Day with President Lee... Please Show Your Love for K-Beauty"

First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who is on a state visit to China with President Lee Jae-myung, attended an event promoting K-beauty companies, where Choa-lu, a member of the idol group Fiestar, made a surprise appearance and drew attention.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who are visiting China, are applying cosmetics to the faces of attendees at the K-Beauty event held at the Fuxing Art Center in Shanghai on the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 7th, Kim visited the venue of the "Shanghai K-Beauty Glow Week" held at the Fuxing Art Center in Shanghai. The event was attended by more than 50 Korean cosmetics brands, local buyers, and Chinese influencers known as Wanghong.

Kim met with Choa-lu, a Chinese influencer who previously worked as a singer in Korea, and had a conversation. Choa-lu introduced herself by saying, "I graduated from university in Korea and also worked as a celebrity. I was a Chinese member of a K-pop idol group." She added, "I even served in the military in Korea. I appeared on the TV program 'Real Men.' I'm a woman who completed military service." Kim responded with a smile, "That must be why you looked familiar to me."

Kim Hye-kyung is applying cosmetics to the face of an attendee at the K-Beauty event held on the 7th at the Fuxing Art Center in Shanghai. Photo by Yonhap News

When Kim asked, "What Korean cosmetics have you used?" Choa-lu replied, "I used Korean cosmetics all the time while attending university in Korea." She continued, "Korean cosmetics suit Asian people very well. Our skin types are thin and sensitive, and they're similar. My skin felt most comfortable when I used Korean products." She also said, "Based on my work experience in Korea, I introduce a lot of K-beauty to my Chinese friends. They are very interested in K-beauty."

Kim said, "It would be great if people in China could buy Korean cosmetics without having to come to Korea," to which Choa-lu replied, "That's right. There are many Korean cosmetics stores on various platforms, so it's easy to buy them."

Kim selected mask packs as the best value-for-money Korean cosmetic product, saying, "Every evening, President Lee and I use a mask pack together." Choa-lu responded, "Korean mask packs are extremely popular. There are so many new product upgrades that every time I use one, I'm amazed and think, 'Are cosmetics really this good?'"

Kim Hye-kyung is taking a selfie with attendees at the K-Beauty event held on the 7th at the Fuxing Art Center in Shanghai. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Kim also attended the K-beauty new product launch competition that day and visited the pop-up store to personally experience the products. A Chinese influencer commented, "I hope opportunities for this kind of exchange will continue to expand," and Kim also requested ongoing interest, saying, "Please continue to show lots of love for K-beauty."