Being True to Myself and True to Us - AMORE STORIES - ENGLISH
#Exploring New Beauty
2024.06.10
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Being True to Myself and True to Us

 

Interviewees

Kwak Min-woong, So Ha-eun, Jang Seon-woong Nado Fashion

 

 

In an era where beauty comes from ‘being oneself,’ Amorepacific’s fresh content series, “Exploring New Beauty,” seeks to engage individuals across generations, diving into their personal narratives of their own beauty. Episode seven introduces Kwak Min-woong, a notable interviewee among the 1,300 participants of the ‘New Beauty Story’ series, along with his collaborators So Ha-eun and Jang Seon-woong, who share their insights on personal beauty.

 

From left to right: Jang Seon-woong, So Ha-eun, Kwak Min-woong

 

 

 

 

Collaboration. It's a journey where the lines between you and me blur and become more defined. Getting to know each other can be an opportunity to discover new facets of oneself. Kwak Min-woong, So Ha-eun, and Jang Seon-woong nurtured strong bonds of trust and faith that flourished their individual expressions of their own beauty with integrity and clarity. Let's explore their journey of teamwork, brand-building, and the concept of one’s own beauty.

 

 

 

Our Beginning


Could you please introduce yourselves briefly?

Kwak Min-woong After being discharged from the military last year, I pursued my long-held dream of running an online store. I am in charge of the ‘Blue Studio’ line within our team.
So Ha-eun Under 'Nado Fashion,' Kwak Min-woong primarily focuses on Blue Studio, while I work as a content creator on YouTube.
Jang Seon-woong In 'Nado Fashion,' I handle planning and financial management and serve as the accountant and producer.

 

 

 

 

Can you introduce the brands you are operating together?

So Ha-eun We run a fashion shopping mall called 'Blue Studio' and a content production company named 'Nado Fashion.' Blue Studio is considering transitioning to in-house production. All three of us are big fans of jeans, and given our average height and Kwak Min-woong's taller stature, we believed we could model pants well. Hence, we named it 'Blue Studio' to symbolically represent denim. We've since expanded to include tops in our offerings. 'Nado Fashion' was created with a broader vision. We aim to express ourselves and help others through our content, engaging closely with consumers about fashion choices.

 

 

 

 

What brought the three of you together?

Kwak Min-woong I used to struggle with fashion, but influencers greatly inspired and helped me. Gaining confidence in fashion and social media led me to create an Instagram fashion channel, hoping to influence others positively. As the channel grew and started including women's clothing, these two passionate friends joined me. We built a substantial community, one we could proudly call a fashion influencer’s guidebook. However, after a hacking incident, we now run three channels: 'Nado Brother,' 'Nado Sister,' and 'Nado Fashion.' I'm known for my drive, often leading with a ‘let’s just do it’ attitude. Once I initiate a project, my team helps balance and refine it, making us an effective unit. With their support, we fearlessly embark on new ventures.

 

 

 

 

Can you share moments of joy or pride from running your shopping mall?

Jang Seon-woong During the Lunar New Year holiday this year, we experienced an explosive surge in orders, from just five per day to several hundred in a single day. We were all resting at home when we were astonished by the sudden influx and quickly contacted each other. It was an overwhelming volume, the likes of which we had never seen before. After shipping packages from 3 AM to noon, we celebrated with a bowl of sundae soup. It was an incredibly joyful moment, marking the first time we truly felt, ‘This is just the beginning; we can do this,’ it significantly boosted our confidence.
So Ha-eun Initially, I needed more confidence in sourcing and selling clothes. There was a sense of disconnect between promoting good brands and myself. However, the continuous quality of the products sold and the fewer returns compared to other shops made me reflect on my previous insecurities. Seeing myself transform into someone who speaks confidently about my work is gratifying. The ongoing process of gaining assurance brings joy to every package I wrap.
Kwak Min-woong The most fulfilling aspect is witnessing our company's growth. We would have been content with five daily orders in the first month. By the second month, we aimed for ten, then twenty, and we've consistently met those goals, experiencing steady growth. It brings immense happiness. Now, we're contemplating ‘expanding our office space and hiring staff.’

 

 

Being More Authentic When Together


What kind of attire best expresses ‘your own beauty’?

Kwak Min-woong The outfit I'm wearing today. I've been working out diligently recently and gravitated towards clothes that fit well and look clean. I also hope to introduce such attire in our shopping mall, so our customers can look stylish and perhaps meet someone special. (laughs)
So Ha-eun Dressing up is a playful and experimental activity. When I imagine that certain materials will look good together, and when they do, it boosts my self-esteem. I enjoy expressing trending fashion with my unique twist, treating outfit coordination as a fun game. My personal style is about experimenting with diverse looks.
Jang Seon-woong I've loved trying on clothes since I was young. I am still in the process of discovering my true self. I want to try various styles and particularly enjoy matching outfits with my favorite shoes. In the future, I hope there's a signature style that comes to mind when people think of me.

 

 

 

 

Do you think you are finding ‘your own beauty’ by doing what you love right now?

Jang Seon-woong None of us majored in fashion, but working in this field has allowed us to find things we love. We are still figuring out our direction together, but our synergy is excellent.
So Ha-eun I am living my dream. Initially, I majored in music and was used to working alone. Now, I rely so much on these friends that I can't imagine doing anything alone. Working with them helps me discover my positive and negative sides, leading to personal growth. By understanding and caring for each other, I feel that I find out my own beauty.
Kwak Min-woong Finding your true self is crucial, but having people around who accept you for who you are is equally important. We don't live in isolation. For me, 'we' is the most authentic form of 'me.' With colleagues who accept me as I am, I feel like I am doing well.

 

 

 

 

In a previous interview, you described your own beauty as ‘confidence.’ Can you elaborate on why?

Kwak Min-woong Others cannot bestow confidence; it’s something you cultivate within yourself. I find that my confidence grows when I achieve the goals I set for myself. Self-esteem is likewise essential. If you keep doubting yourself, your self-esteem diminishes, affecting your confidence. This can negatively impact those around you, so I strive to maintain my confidence. Even in modest tasks, the sense of achievement from challenging myself reinforces my self-confidence.

 

You all exude confidence, which is great to see. Have there been moments when you felt your confidence waver or experienced anxiety while running the brand?

Jang Seon-woong Over the past three years, our team has gone through tough times, but this year, we are reaping the rewards of those experiences. Despite the brand's rapid growth, there are moments of anxiety about sustaining and improving our success. However, our confidence outweighs these fears. Our difficult times have brought us closer, and we trust and rely on each other sincerely. When I voice my anxieties, my team always reassures me that we are on the right path, which helps dispel my doubts quickly. Being with people I cherish makes all the difference, so I have more confidence than fear about our future.

 

What efforts have you made to overcome challenges?

So Ha-eun I always included the phrases ‘I’m destined to succeed’ and ‘small giant’ in my applications. I believed we would achieve our goals as long as I stayed focused and resilient. Seeing our efforts bear fruit now is overwhelming, and I feel this is just the beginning. Despite having stable careers, we left them behind to pursue our passion, and we are all giving our best in our roles. We approach challenges believing no failure is in vain, as every experience contributes to our individuality.

 

 

 

 

My Dream for the Future


I’m curious about the efforts you are making to foster growth.

Kwak Min-woong Recently, I’ve been trying to meet more people during my downtime. Because I haven’t had many experiences, I learn a lot by listening to the experiences and thoughts of others.
Jang Seon-woong I love new experiences. Traveling and trying new things often spark ideas for content. Although I’d like to relax without thinking about work, I realize that work is now an inseparable part of me. I enjoy collecting related materials and dedicating time to personal development.
So Ha-eun I try to read more books. On weekends, I step away from videos to spend time with texts that fuel my imagination. As a video creator, I’m constantly exposed to dopamine, so reading provides novel inspiration. I’m engrossed in the book ‘Letters to Yves.’ Yves Saint Laurent was once considered eccentric, but now his name is synonymous with luxury. The line between eccentricity and luxury is thin. I ponder how we can create memorable and desirable clothes with our skills.

 

What future do you envision for Nado Fashion?

Jang Seon-woong We want to stay true to our roots. We don’t just sell products; we create content to help customers utilize their purchases effectively. It’s disheartening as a seller if clothes are unworn in a closet. That’s why we focus on creating content about how to wear and style our pieces. We also respond to inquiries through direct messages, aiming to be a supportive and reliable companion, like a helpful older sibling.
So Ha-eun The concept of ‘one’s own beauty’ can be abstract and challenging for fashion enthusiasts. We want to help everyone find and embrace their unique beauty without losing themselves.

 

What do you think you’ll be doing in ten years?

Kwak Min-woong I’ve always dreamed of a peaceful life in the countryside with my dogs, but my team jokes that they won’t let me go. (laughs) In ten years, I hope we’ve grown into a well-recognized company. We named our brand ‘Nado’ because it’s a common phrase meaning ‘I want to do it too,’ or ‘I can do it too,’ reflecting our desire to achieve various goals. Eventually, we’d like to expand into areas like Nado Beauty and Nado Entertainment, realizing our full potential. Given our skills as creators, we also hope to mentor and develop other creators, exploring diverse directions together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Exploring New Beauty’ introduces the stories of individuals across different generations as they discover ‘their own beauty’ within various lifestyles.

 

Photo Lee Sun Kwon

Directing LR Seoul

Planning Amorepacific Communications Team

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