Complex names G-Dragon K-pop's greatest style icon, while reader voting propels BTS’s RM and J-Hope into top spots amid passionate fashion debate.
The Ultimate Canon: Complex Ranks the 25 Best-Dressed K-Pop Stars
As K-pop idols continue to dominate the front rows of Paris and Milan fashion weeks as premier luxury house ambassadors, renowned American youth and pop culture outlet Complex has published a definitive appraisal of the phenomenon: "The 25 Best-Dressed K-Pop Stars of All Time."
Rather than treating fashion as a short-term trend cycle or focusing strictly on recent runway appearances, Complex evaluated artists across their entire careers. The editorial board weighted longevity, stylistic versatility, risk-taking originality, and lasting cultural influence across the global fashion ecosystem. Claiming the undisputed throne at No. 1 is BIGBANG’s legendary frontman, G-Dragon, solidifying his status as the foundational pioneer who bridged Asian pop music with global haute couture.
Complex's All-Time Top 10 vs. Community Voting Shakeup
- #1 G-Dragon (BIGBANG): Retained No. 1 across both editorial and community voting (58% reader consensus).
- #2 Jennie (BLACKPINK): Ranked #2 by editors; voted "overrated" by 82% of readers, dropping to #8 in fan voting.
- #3 RM (BTS): Rose to #2 in the community rankings thanks to his pioneering "Quiet Luxury" aesthetic.
- #4 Seo Taiji: Korean music and street style founding pioneer recognized in the top five.
- #5 Lisa (BLACKPINK): High editorial rank; adjusted to #9 in reader re-rankings.
- #6 Taeyang (BIGBANG) & #7 Lee Hyori: Enduring pop icons who defined distinct sartorial eras.
- #8 j-hope (BTS): Surged 5 spots to claim #3 in community re-rankings after triggering massive reader debates.
- #9 Oh Hyuk (HYUKOH) & #10 CL (2NE1): Distinct subcultural innovators celebrated alongside mainstream royalty.
Why G-Dragon Remains Untouchable at No. 1
Complex highlighted G-Dragon’s historic partnership with Chanel as a watershed moment in international fashion history. The publication underscored that he was hand-picked by the late Karl Lagerfeld as the first male K-pop artist to serve as an ambassador for the French heritage house—a groundbreaking alliance that permanently reshaped the relationship between Western luxury houses and Korean musicians.
From fearlessly dismantling gender norms with tweed jackets and pearl necklaces to popularizing deconstructed streetwear through his brand PEACEMINUSONE, G-Dragon has operated as a fashion disruptor rather than a follower of trends.
Beyond Idols: Subcultural Visionaries and Pop Legends
One of the standout facets of the curated 25-person roster is its inclusion of indie musicians, trailblazing producers, and first-generation pioneers alongside mainstream idols. Band HYUKOH’s frontman Oh Hyuk secured the No. 9 spot, with Complex praising him as a vital reminder that Korean music culture extends far beyond manufactured pop perfection. His signature aesthetic—combining boxy, oversized vintage tailoring and weathered workwear with classic Converse high-tops—was hailed as an organic masterclass in subcultural cool.
The list also paid homage to heritage royalty: pop icon Uhm Jung-hwa (No. 22) was celebrated as "Korea's Madonna" for her boundary-pushing stage glamour across decades, while solo sensation Lee Hyori (No. 7) was dubbed "Korea's Britney Spears" for defining Y2K athleisure and streetwear across Asia. Other diverse inclusions included hip-hop producer Lil Moshpit (No. 13 of GroovyRoom), AKMU’s Lee Chan-hyuk (No. 15), and Zion.T (No. 21).
BTS's Sartorial Mastery: RM's Quiet Luxury and j-hope's Street Flair
BTS members made a profound impact on the list, celebrated for developing highly distinct personal aesthetics outside of group stage wardrobes. RM (Kim Nam-joon) was lauded at No. 3 for mastering understated tailoring, muted earth tones, and timeless architectural silhouettes. Complex noted that RM practiced what the fashion world now calls "Quiet Luxury" long before it became a ubiquitous viral buzzword, making his 2023 appointment as Bottega Veneta’s inaugural celebrity ambassador a naturally organic pairing.
Meanwhile, j-hope claimed No. 8 on the editorial list for his unapologetic passion for contemporary streetwear and avant-garde silhouettes. Appointed Louis Vuitton house ambassador in 2023, j-hope's fearless eye for color and playful accessorizing—exemplified by custom pink suede sneakers emblazoned with "HOPE"—demonstrates a deep, self-directed knowledge of street culture.
The Fan Revolt: 270,000 Votes Upend the Rankings
The editorial rankings ignited immediate friction across global fandoms. Anticipating heated debate, Complex introduced an interactive reader portal allowing visitors to rate selections as "Underrated," "Agree," or "Overrated," as well as construct their own customized 25-artist leaderboards. Over 270,296 individual votes were cast, with 1,322 readers submitting complete re-ranked ballots.
While G-Dragon stood firm at No. 1 with 58% reader approval, the community re-rankings triggered dramatic shifts:
• BTS's Double Podium: Passionate fan support propelled RM up to No. 2 and launched j-hope up five spots to No. 3. Interestingly, j-hope emerged as the most polarizing figure in the poll, drawing 23% "Underrated," 36% "Agree," and 41% "Overrated" responses.
• The Jennie Backlash: Despite taking editorial runner-up honors, BLACKPINK’s Jennie was voted the most "Overrated" star on the list, with 82% of voters declaring her rank too generous, tumbling her to No. 8 in the community tally.
• Justice for T.O.P & CL: BIGBANG’s T.O.P was crowned the most "Underrated" artist, with 25% of voters arguing his dapper, art-collector suiting deserved higher than No. 12, pushing him into the community top 10. 2NE1’s fashion trailblazer CL similarly surged four spots to claim No. 6.
The extensive engagement with Complex's rankings demonstrates that K-pop's influence on fashion has transcended simple endorsement deals. By expressing radical individuality and challenging cross-cultural boundaries, Korean musicians have firmly established themselves as architects of global style.