K-pop idol Belle mistakes designer for father, sparking collaboration buzz
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Kiss of Life member Belle mistook fashion designer Ko Tae-yong for her father, singer Shim Shin, due to their resemblance.
- Belle expressed interest in collaborating with Ko Tae-yong, who has experience designing for idol groups.
- The unexpected encounter sparked humor and speculation about a potential fashion collaboration.
A lighthearted moment unfolded on the KBS 2TV variety show 'The Boss's Ears Are Donkey's Ears' when K-pop idol Belle, a member of the group Kiss of Life, encountered fashion designer Ko Tae-yong. Mistaking him for her father, veteran singer Shim Shin, due to their striking resemblance, Belle affectionately called out "Dad!" to the designer, much to the amusement of the cast.
Dad!
Ko Tae-yong, embracing the playful confusion, even performed Shim Shin's signature "gun dance" on the spot. Belle, who had specifically chosen Ko Tae-yong as the guest she most wanted to meet, revealed her keen interest in fashion and shopping. This personal passion led her to anticipate meeting the designer.
Ko Tae-yong shared his past experience designing outfits for idol groups, notably mentioning his work with GOT7, whose styling he noted remained a topic of discussion among fans. He expressed a desire to work with female idol groups, stating he had not had the opportunity before. He explicitly mentioned Kiss of Life as a group he would be interested in collaborating with, a sentiment echoed by host Jun Hyun-moo, who jokingly suggested that working with someone who resembles Belle's father would be fitting.
I haven't worked with a female idol group before. If given the chance, I'd like to work with Kiss of Life.
Belle, the daughter of singer Shim Shin, debuted in July 2023 as part of Kiss of Life. She has garnered attention for her vocal talent and stage presence. This appearance on 'The Boss's Ears Are Donkey's Ears' showcased another facet of her personality, highlighting her interest in fashion. The playful interaction between Belle and Ko Tae-yong has now raised anticipation about whether this humorous first meeting could lead to a genuine fashion collaboration between the designer and the K-pop group.
It would be great if someone who looks like your dad did it for you.
Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.