The La La Land soundtrack has been on a seemingly endless loop, at the obscured, vintage-style cafe that we’re shooting at in Seoul – but that doesn’t deter our cover star, South Korean model Tae Eun Bang, even as it approaches midnight. The spritely tracks set him at ease and get him in the mood for these almost-cinematic shots. It doesn’t hurt that Tae is shooting with a familiar face: one of South Korea’s top photographers, Choi Yong Bin, who incidentally, was behind the lens for Tae’s challenge-winning photograph on Korea’s Next Top Model Cycle 5.
Although Tae eventually finished eighth in the 2014 competition, he might just be having the last laugh. Last year, the 25-year-old began to storm the runways in Milan and Paris – walking Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain, Tom Ford and Bottega Veneta. For the Spring/Summer 2017 season, he had Fendi and Ermenegildo Zegna shows, and a Harrolds campaign under his belt. And no one seems more surprised at his success than Tae himself.
Bottega Veneta wool jacket, wool polo shirt
On the good and bad of being a model
Honestly, I like almost everything. Shoots and runway shows – I feel everything is interesting. I do like travelling, but I don’t always enjoy long flights.
Ermenegildo Zegna Couture Linin jacket, cotton shirt, linen pants; Bottega Veneta leather shoes
On his favourite city
I like Paris. It’s the mood – there’s a romantic mood there. I’m usually in Paris for about two weeks each time I visit, and I’ll be there again in June.
Bottega Veneta Wool trench coat, wool turtleneck
On not having industry idols
I don’t have any because, well, they’re them and I’m just myself. And to be quite honest, I’m surprised by my success and don’t know how to explain it.
Read the full interview in our June/July issue.
Photography Choi Yong Bin
Art Direction Titien Wang & Ian Lee
Styling Titien Wang
Producer Sasha Park
Hair Cho Young Jae
Grooming Sino Choi
Photography Assistant Jung Ho Kwon, So Dam Na, Ah Young Cho
Styling Assistant Park Min Geong
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