Karina, Ningning & Jennie Put SKIMS on Korea’s Radar

SKIMS is officially coming to South Korea but aespa's Karina and Ningning, and BLACKPINK's Jennie have already given the brand a major head start.

The shapewear and loungewear label co-founded by Kim Kardashian is set to officially enter the Korean market through fashion company Handsome, which plans to introduce SKIMS and two other overseas brands in the first half of 2027.

For Korean fans, however, SKIMS is hardly a new name. The brand has been popping up in the wardrobes of some of K-POP's biggest stars, with Karina, Ningning and Jennie helping turn its signature pieces into highly recognizable fashion staples.

Karina has been spotted in SKIMS' casual pieces, including a cotton zip-up hoodie and matching joggers paired with a lace-trimmed tank top. Ningning, who is known to be a fan of the brand, has worn a SKIMS cropped long-sleeve top in both social media posts and airport appearances, with some of her looks reportedly selling out after being spotted on her.

Jennie has also been linked to the brand's signature bodysuits, styling the fitted pieces with oversized, wide-leg pants for a look that balances SKIMS' body-hugging aesthetic with her own streetwear style.

The interest hasn't stayed on social media. SKIMS previously tested the Korean market through pop-up stores in Seoul's Seongsu neighborhood and at The Hyundai Seoul from November 2025 to January 2026. The pop-ups reportedly exceeded their sales target by 67 percent, suggesting that the brand's popularity among Korean consumers goes well beyond celebrity sightings.

Founded in 2019 by Kim Kardashian and fashion entrepreneur Jens Grede, SKIMS built its reputation around shapewear, underwear and loungewear designed to prioritize both fit and comfort. The brand initially planned to launch under the name "Kimono" before changing its name following backlash over the use of the Japanese cultural term.

Since then, SKIMS has grown into a global fashion powerhouse, with its valuation reaching $4 billion, around 5.42 trillion won.

Handsome is officially preparing to bring SKIMS to Korea, the brand will no longer have to rely solely on overseas orders and pop-ups to reach Korean shoppers.

Considering that Karina, Ningning and Jennie have already helped put SKIMS on Korean fans' radar, the brand may be arriving in Korea after the K-POP fashion crowd has already made its introduction.