KstarAD

As someone who has planned and executed advertisements, I always think about one thing: “When is a star reborn?” It is not easy to overlay another image on top of an already established one. This is especially true for an actress like Suzy, who has long established herself as an icon of ‘innocence.’ However, this campaign, 'Suzy of a New Genre [Full ver.],' shatters that formula head-on. And it captures that moment of transformation with great sophistication. ## Rewriting the Brand "Suzy" Suzy was already a genre in herself. The image she had built through dramas, movies, and commercials was one of ‘clarity,’ ‘pure innocence,’ and ‘refined sensibility.’ In the advertising industry as well, Suzy was a safe choice. A model with almost no chance of failure. But this advertisement asks: “Is that all there is?” The title ‘Suzy of a New Genre’ itself is a challenge. It is an approach that rebrands the model herself, rather than using the model as a tool for the brand. I hav...

“This is closer to a movie than an advertisement.” The LOUIS VUITTON ‘Spirit of Travel’ project I am introducing today is exactly that kind of work. Director Na Hong-jin, Jun Ji-hyun, and Gong Yoo. This combination alone is already a genre in itself. It is a method of creating a ‘worldview’ rather than just a brand. This is the reason why I really wanted to introduce this to global K-culture fans. ## Director Na Hong-jin: Why Was This Choice Decisive? In luxury brand advertising, the most important thing is ‘mood.’ It is not about showing the product, but about making the audience experience the worldview the brand possesses. Director Na Hong-jin is one of the directors with the most original visual language in the Korean film industry. The tension and chilling mise-en-scène shown in works such as *The Chaser*, *The Wailing*, and *The Yellow Sea* have already left a strong impression on global film fans. The fact that Louis Vuitton chose him is not just a simple collaboration. It is a ...

I have seen countless beer commercials. Cool waves, a glass of ice, bursting carbonation, and a single exclamation of "Ah—." These are scenes that repeat like a formula. However, Terra's "Real Cheer" commercial is a little different. While it talks about carbonation, it ultimately talks about people. From an advertising professional's perspective, this shift in direction is quite welcome. ## Expanding from "Real Carbonation" to "Real Cheer" Since its launch, Terra has consistently pushed "Real Carbonation" as its core asset. The beer's crispness, strong carbonation, and coolness. This was very function-oriented branding. However, this commercial goes a step further. "Real Cheer." It expands the physical attribute of carbonation into the language of emotion. Cheer is sound, momentum, and energy that bursts together. The moment the carbonation bursts overlaps with the shouts of cheering. This is not just a simple wor...

As I work in advertising, I notice an interesting point whenever I see commercials for retail brands these days. While the core message used to be "You can find everything here," it is now shifting to "This space understands your taste." The [The Hyundai Hi] Lee E-dam commercial I will discuss today is a prime example that clearly demonstrates this change. ## Why Lee E-dam? The Actor's Mood and the Texture of the Space Actor Lee E-dam has recently been showcasing a quiet yet strong presence through her dramas. She is an actress who first brings to mind a calm and sophisticated image rather than someone who stands out flashily. The reason The Hyundai Hi chose her as a model is clear. They wanted to convey the message that the Icon Shop is not merely a shopping mall, but a "gathering place for sophisticated tastes." What I always feel on the advertising set is that for a space brand, the atmosphere and texture must match the model. Lee E-dam's calm t...

I have often heard people say that carbonated beverage commercials are always similar. Cool bursts of ice, bubbles, and the expressions after taking a sip. However, this Sprite campaign is a little different. By placing aespa’s Karina front and center, it reinterprets "refreshment" not merely as a sensation of coolness, but as a performance. This advertisement is clearly a well-calculated piece of work. The reason I want to introduce it to global K-pop fans is also clear. This is not just a simple beverage advertisement, but a point where K-pop energy meets the brand. The Refreshment Unleashed by Karina, the "Scale" Redefined by Sprite ## Why Karina? The Face of Refreshment Aespa’s Karina is currently the visual and performance icon representing K-pop. A charisma that is both cool and intense, combined with energy that explodes on stage—these two qualities coexist. Sprite has long been a brand that speaks of "refreshment." But this time, it adds "scal...

What I’ve noticed while working in advertising is that hangover remedy commercials always repeat a similar structure. “I overdid it last night,” “This morning is tough,” “Drinking this will make me feel better.” Function-centric, situation-centric, solution-centric. However, this Condition X Karina commercial is a little different. Instead of explaining the product's function, it utilizes a ‘meme.’ And at the center of that meme is Karina from aespa. ## “Jang-Ka-Seol-Yu” and the Arrival of the ‘Real Karina’ The starting point of the commercial is the expression ‘Jang-Ka-Seol-Yu,’ which is frequently mentioned in Korean online communities. It is a term that groups Jang Won-young, Karina, Seol-Yoon, and Yujin to symbolize the representative visuals of the 4th generation. The Condition commercial brings this keyword to the forefront. It then induces laughter with the phrase, “The arrival of the real Karina.” What I have learned from my 30 years in the advertising field is that when a ...

Having worked in advertising for decades, I’ve come to realize that some brands sell the ‘season’ rather than the product itself. Pocari Sweat is one such brand. The colors, music, and expressions that naturally come to mind when summer arrives. The 2026 Pocari Sweat TVC Waiting ver., and its protagonist, ILLIT. This combination is not merely a change of models, but closer to a generational shift. ## Why ILLIT? The New Face of ‘Summer’ For a long time, Pocari Sweat has produced advertisements that served as a symbol of youth. Clear skin, white t-shirts, hair fluttering in the wind—that image has been repeated across generations. ILLIT, selected this time, is a symbol of 5th-generation girl groups. They are a team that has formed a global fandom since their debut, showcasing both freshness and innocence simultaneously. They are the team best suited to express the ‘excitement of the opening scene’ that Pocari desires. What I have learned on the advertising set is that if a face represent...