CHAELIN ♡ {BTS 8TH MEMBER}

♡ CHAELIN x VOGUE KOREA ♡

I know I know I didn't post for a decade but I'm BACK BABY

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Credit to original owners.

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"The New Spring: Kim Chaelin redefines herself"
Cover One & Two

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Becoming an adult in the spotlight isn't easy and yet, the now 20 year old Kim Chaelin made it look like it was the most natural thing in the universe. From a shy 13-year old she went to a self-assured women with class. With grace she carries herself and talks about life, fashion and what is next for her and BTS with Vogue.

You started your career as a very young girl. How has that influenced you in your opinion?
Chaelin: "I had just turned thirteen and I was alone in an industry that is very harsh. Despite being in a group, it was very lonely and isolating. None of us knew how to handle hatred. Much less the hatred we received. It was gruesome but I feel it has helped me become stronger and focused in my work and as a person. As a women."

How would you say have changed other than becoming stronger and more focused?
Chaelin: "I was always very shy and I think consistently performing and being 'forced' to be in front of cameras has made me a lot more confident. I am still shy, but a few years back I couldn't even look into the cameras on television. And I feel that after my car accident, I have become a lot more grateful for every single moment I get to be here. Not only on stage but on earth in general. I started to enjoy everything that I do and accept things for what they are, no matter if they were enjoyable or not."

In a very popular livestream you talked about your experience of dying.
Chaelin: "I always thought it was so peaceful, but it absolutely wasn't. It was terrifying. I realised that I was dying and I realised that I was losing everything I had ever been and everything I could become. And at the same time, I was realising, that it was okay for me to go if I had truly wanted to let go-But I didn't want to let go. There was like a part of me going: 'Don't let go no matter what you do' and even if I had come to wanting to let go, I simply couldn't. And I truly believe that, despite this being such a tragic event, truly was a blessing in disguise. Like i've already said, it has made me so grateful for everything in my life."

Exactly how do you mean that?
Chaelin: "Life is never going to be happiness only but I had a hard time dealing with bad days. Now it's just: 'Okay, so today wasn't great. And maybe yesterday wasn't either. But tomorrow is a new day and that's that.' I learned to accept both joy and pain and both good days and bad days as a part of life."

You returned to the stage quite early after your accident and your and BTS' career has been quite whirlwind after that. You won your first Daesangs, a Billboard Music Award, charted on Billboard 200 and held your first dome concert...What is in store for BTS in 2018?
Chaelin: "That's truly a great question! We would really like to perform at the Billboard Music Awards should we be invited again. And we want to tour again! I cannot say too much but we have some amazing things planned for the next year.

Ever since the BBMA's your popularity has gone up quite a bit. Does that stress you?
Chaelin: "I will not talk for my bandmates right now, but what I can say for myself is this: Of course massive popularity comes with a lot of responsibility as well and it comes with a lot of restrictions and expectations. Does that stress me out? To a certain point yes. But it not the popularity itself, but rather what comes with it."

Fans are wondering why you haven't put out new solo music for a while now. Especially since your popularity went up after the BBMA's.
Chaelin: "I think our schedules were just too busy. I released my first album in March to finish my album trilogy. I have a lot of music I would like to release, but BTS always comes first for me. So I guess it'll be a while before new music comes your way."

Let's go back to the BBMA's. A picture of you at your first award show next to you at the Bilboard Music Awards went viral. One can clearly see your fashion has changed a lot throughout the years.
Chaelin: "Absolutely. So did our budget for outfits."

How would you describe your fashion then and now?
Chaelin: "Back then it was obviously tailored to our old concept. So very dark a lot of street style inspired clothes. I absolutely hated those outfits, because I was always wearing dresses and bright colours, which also looked horrendous because I didn't know how to dress well, despite loving clothes. As soon as I had the funds to get nice clothes, I started to look into fashion trends and styles. I don't really go with trends. I would say my personal style is very chic and timeless. I get inspired by women such as Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Princess Diana. They were such icons and their style is right up my alley."

You're already considered a fashion icon. Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior's creative director, called you a "true Dior Muse". How does that feel?
Chaelin: "I first met Maria around this time last year and I was truly inspired by her persona. She is a very kind and talented women and each and every single of her pieces is so beautiful! Having her call me a 'Dior's muse' was an honour that I will forever treasure."

What other luxury fashion brands do you like and wear?
Chaelin: "I think I mostly wear Dior, Chanel and Givenchy and occasionally Gucci."

Is there anything you would like to tell you younger-self in terms of life or fashion?
Chaelin: "If there is anything I would like this little, insecure girl to know, it is that she should just take things the way they come. Everything else will be just fine."