Drake’s in Seoul: A Walk with Jaepil Han

Wearing Drake’s cotton jersey, Japanese denim and our two-pocket field shirt, we met Jaepil Han for a walk around the neighbourhood in Seoul. 

A former GQ Korea fashion editor who now runs the online lifestyle publication fastpaper, Han is well-connected in the menswear and music scenes in the city. He writes, he takes photos, he has a regular DJ spot at one of our favourite bars, Kompakt, and he ties it all together by throwing parties and, it seems, mastering the art of having a good time. 

“It’s an exciting time here,” he says, as we pass a Pomeranian wearing a dress on the street, young people milling around outside cafes and clothes shops, an idyllic weekend afternoon. “I think Koreans like to experiment and try new things, which is why there’s always something opening, or changing, or moving. Nothing stays still or the same here for very long. There’s an openness and willingness to embrace the future, but I also think there’s an attitude that makes us unique.”

JP, as he’s known to his friends, has dropped in to say hello before he heads to a party in the scrum of Dosan. Does he see Seoul as a more stylish city than Tokyo these days? 

He pauses for moment, a little glint in his eye. “It’s different… but I’m going to say yes. Why not? It’s a great time to be from Seoul.”