JUNTAE KIM x ASICS GEL-Kinetic FR Arrives SS27
JUNTAE KIM channels Seoul's underground rebellion into Spring/Summer 2027 with the 'Korean Sabotage' collection, a punk-informed capsule that deconstructs streetwear archetypes through boro printing, laser-slashed technical outerwear, and multi-belted leather. The collection culminates in a collaborative ASICS GEL-Kinetic FR sneaker that bridges Korean design sensibility with the Japanese sportswear house's performance heritage.
By Marcus Chen
Korean designer JUNTAE KIM has built a reputation for excavating subcultural history and reframing it through contemporary craft—and the SS27 'Korean Sabotage' collection proves the thesis intact. Rather than aesthetic pastiche, the range functions as genuine reconstruction, drawing from the visual language of Dongmyo, Seoul's legendary flea market and youth culture nexus, and translating that ethos into wearable rebellion.
The collection pivots on textile transformation. Boro-printed denim—a nod to Japanese sashiko traditions intersecting with Korean street style—appears across multiple silhouettes, each treatment deliberate and non-decorative. Laser-slashed outerwear, including transformable M-65 coats that shift between utility and statement pieces, signals technical precision applied to punk ideology. Embossed leather jackets anchor the range, while multi-belted constructions challenge conventional silhouette logic without sacrificing wearability.
Footwear Focus
The ASICS GEL-Kinetic FR collaboration stands as the collection's most direct bridge between JUNTAE KIM's design language and functional sportswear DNA. The GEL-Kinetic—a silhouette rooted in ASICS's running heritage—receives treatment that honors both parties: Korean design specificity married to the Japanese brand's technical credibility. Release timing, retail pricing, and colorway details remain selective at present, though the shoe represents the kind of measured collaboration that avoids franchise saturation.
For collectors tracking ASICS releases, the market currently reflects moderate pricing pressure, with recent GEL offerings averaging 33% discount across active retailers. The GEL-Kinetic FR's positioning as a collaborative piece suggests limited volume and likely standard retail, making early acquisition the practical approach.
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Release Info
Availability: Spring/Summer 2027 (specific date TBA)
Retail Price: TBA
Retailers: JUNTAE KIM official channels, select ASICS partners
Product: ASICS GEL-Kinetic FR x JUNTAE KIM
