K-pop Stars Shine on Oscar Stage in Historic Moments for Rowoon and Lisa

K-pop made history at the 97th Academy Awards held on March 2, 2025. K-pop idols appeared on the Oscar stage for the first time, elevating their status within mainstream Western entertainment. Former SF9 member Rowoon was the first K-pop male idol to attend the Oscars. Dressed in a sleek black blazer, he displayed polished charm on the red carpet, and the Glambot video featuring him released by I.N.T. Entertainment spread rapidly. This marked a moment when his work as a broadcaster and actor gained recognition not only in Korea but also in Hollywood. BLACKPINK’s Lisa performed on the Oscar stage as the first K-pop artist to do so. Her performance of “Born Again” alongside Doja Cat and Raye perfectly blended musical elements from Eastern and Western traditions. Wearing a custom outfit designed by Indian designer Rahul Mishra, she demonstrated K-pop’s global influence and its ability to collaborate with the international fashion world. K-pop’s impact is also evident in the fashion industry. Stray Kids’ Felix returned to the Louis Vuitton Women’s Fall 2025 collection at Paris Fashion Week. The 24-year-old Australian rapper made his debut at the Louis Vuitton Women’s Fall 2024 show just one year prior, and this return marked his second appearance. He walked the runway wearing black and white textured sweaters, brown and gold checked pants, navy and blue bags, braided belts, and sneakers, alongside his iconic platinum blonde hair. Louis Vuitton appointed Felix as its house ambassador in August 2023, with artistic director Nicola Ghesquière praising his “bold sense of style.” After the show, Felix thanked Ghesquière and the team in an Instagram post, stating that the show was beautiful. Stray Kids is an eight-member K-pop group produced by JYP Entertainment. They have topped the Billboard 200 with several recent albums, and with their latest album “Hop,” they became the first artists to have all six of their debut albums debut at number one, joining BTS, The Dave Matthews Band, and Linkin Park in this achievement. In addition to Felix, Stray Kids have been actively involved in the fashion world through campaigns for Tommy Hilfiger and appearances at the 2024 Met Gala.