The 2025 Met Gala, one of the fashion world’s most prestigious red-carpet events, took place recently in Manhattan, New York.  Each year, major celebrities attend dressed according to a specific theme, and this year’s was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, inspired by Black Dandyism. While the event featured a wide range of global stars, several K-pop idols were also in attendance, among them were BLACKPINK members Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa, along with S.Coups from SEVENTEEN. These invitations aren’t just about star power; they underscore the deepening integration of K-pop artists into the highest echelons of the fashion world.

Rosé, who previously attended the 2021 Met Gala, arrived in a custom Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo this year. In the previous year of

2021, the theme was “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” where she had attended wearing a simple black and white YSL dress with a bow in the front. She was praised for her outfit and presence at the event. In 2025 Met Gala, with her style being classically elegant and sophisticated, she had shown up in a custom design by YSL, being a tuxedo accompanied in “a plunging jacket, that showed off her Tiffany & Co. sapphire and diamond pendant and dramatic train that covered her slacks and red strappy heels,” according to “ROSÉ Suits Up in Sleek YSL Tuxedo at 2025 Met Gala”. The outfit was praised by many BLINK’s (BLACKPINK fanbase) for its elegance and adherence to the theme. Amelia Gordavo, a BLINK, noted,”The dress matches the theme so well, since Black Dandyism is all about praising Black culture and also in itself wearing luxurious tuxedos, that’s like the main aesthetic. I’m just happy Rosé got to attend the Met Gala again in such a beautiful tuxedo.”

BLINK’s joy in seeing Rosé return to the Met Gala in such a striking and thematically resonant tuxedo-inspired look, the pride of the fanbase for Rosé’s fashion choices, and her continued presence on such a global stage. But with praise came hatred against the outfit, with many BLINK’s mocking her for coming into the Met Gala with such a plain and boring look, with many saying she’s playing it too safe for such a high-fashion event. This statement was amplified with one BLINK on Twitter, @pinklovesick, “Rosé needs a new stylist, hair stylist, and makeup artist.” This statement reflected a desire for a more daring and experimental aesthetic form for the idol on such a prominent platform. This division in opinion highlights the high expectations and varied tastes within the fanbase when it comes to their idols’ red carpet appearances.

Lisa made her Met Gala debut this year as Louis Vuitton’s global ambassador. Her outfit included a tailored jacket with a pearl-accented bodysuit and Louis Vuitton stockings. While there were Blinks who praised her boldness and avant-garde, true to Lisa’s fearless style, controversy erupted, when many believed a prominent image of civil rights icon Rosa Parks was printed on her bodysuit. “The outfit was just disgusting and disrespectful to Black culture, how could she wear it on her underwear?”Jose Freen, a sophomore wrote. While Lisa’s tailored look was intended as a nod to the elegance of Black Dandyism had missed the mark and instead appeared as a simplified, almost lingerie-like interpretation. This negative reaction underscored the sensitivity surrounding cultural representation in fashion and the potential for misinterpretations, even with seemingly elegant designs. Amid all the criticism it we found out that the Louis Vuitton bodysuit designed by Pharell Williams (the mens creative designer for the brand) was inspired by artist Henry Taylor, as “ ‘It recreates an artwork by Henry Taylor,’ Lisa explained in the May 6 YouTube video,” according to Vogue’s Youtue Channel. This revelation offered vital context, suggesting the garment was intended as an artistic homage rather than a misconstrued cultural appropriation. This information began to reframe the discussion, prompting a re-evaluation of the outfit’s intent and its connection to the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme through the lens of contemporary Black art.

While Lisa and Rosé had mixed reactions to their outfit to the Met Gala, Jennie from BLACKPINK was widely praised for her Met

Gala. Attending for the third time (making her the bandmate with the most experience), where she “​​​​wore a custom Chanel black tuxedo gown with pearl details and a black-and-white boater hat” according to “JENNIE Is a Classic Beauty in Chanel Tuxedo Gown at 2025 Met Gala.” “It outshin[ed] all other celebrities,” as stated by Gordavo. This bold declaration resonated with many viewers who praised Jennie’s sophisticated interpretation of Black Dandyism through the lens of Chanel’s timeless elegance. Her look was celebrated for its refined tailoring, subtle yet impactful details, and a confident aura that solidified her position as a true fashion icon on the Met Gala’s celebrated red carpet. 

S.Coups, leader of the K-pop group SEVENTEEN, also made his debut at the Met Gala this year. He wore “​​a custom look inspired by a Korean hanbok jeogori jacket, with a matching gray wool flannel blazer with hanbok double-breasted collar and coordinating stand-collar shirt. The look was accessorized with gray wool heeled boots and a Piaget diamond watch” according to “Seventeen’s S. Coups Shares Behind the Scenes Look at His First Met Gala With Boss.” Though there wasn’t much media attention on S.Coups’ look compared to BLACKPINK, the reaction from fans was overwhelmingly positive. Fans praised S.Coups’ fusion of Korean design elements with contemporary tailoring, recognizing it as a respectful interpretation of the theme, which also celebrates his culture. Clips of S.Coup interacting with the BLACKPINK members went viral, with fans noting how they all exemplified Black Dandyism more than most celebrities who attended the Met Gala. His confident presence and distinctive attire made a memorable first impression, earning him praise

for his sophisticated and culturally nuanced approach to the Met Gala red carpet.

The 2025 Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” saw a significant presence of K-pop idols like BLACKPINK’s Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa, and SEVENTEEN’s S. Coups, highlighting K-pop’s growing influence in high fashion. While Jennie and S. Coups received widespread praise for their thematic and culturally resonant outfits, Rosé faced mixed reactions for her simpler tuxedo, and Lisa’s Louis Vuitton ensemble sparked controversy due to a perceived misinterpretation of cultural symbolism, ultimately underscoring the complexities of cultural representation and fan expectations on such a prominent stage.