Spotted: Filipino-Designed Lounge Chairs with K-Pop Superstars BLACKPINK and SEVENTEEN
The Hallyu wave, or the rise in popularity of Korean culture across the globe, has turned South Korea into one of the world’s most influential cultural hotspots. Their acts have set trend after trend in the past decade, spanning categories such as beauty, fashion, entertainment, and design.
Naturally, Filipinos weren’t immune to the addictive flair of the Hallyu wave. In fact, the Philippines is one of the most avid K-culture followers globally, and nobody sees that changing any time soon.
Hence, it’s simply inevitable for the Philippines to begin contributing to the wave one way or another. In the design sphere, we’ve spotted furniture by Cebu-based designer Kenneth Cobonpue with two of the biggest Korean acts today.
Kenneth Cobonpue x BLACKPINK
International superstars BLACKPINK were photographed with one of Cobonpue’s most popular pieces for their 2021 Season’s Greetings. Members Jennie, Lisa, Rosé, and Jisoo posed with the Bloom Easy Armchair, a sculptural swivel chair that mimics the petals of a flower in bloom. It features hundreds of fine folds and micro stitches that delicately radiate from its center.
Similar to the South Korean hitmakers, the piece has received multiple awards since its debut. In 2009, it won the Coup de Cour award from Maison et Objet, along with the Prix D’Excellence Coup de Cour from SIDIM Montreal in 2011.
Kenneth Cobonpue in K-Drama
Interestingly, BLACKPINK wasn’t the first to flaunt the Bloom chair in Korea. The piece also appeared in the 2019 drama series Angel’s Last Mission: Love. It made multiple scenes as bedroom decor for lead actress Shin Hye-Sun, which caught the attention of eagle-eyed Cobonpue and K-drama fans online.
With its impeccable design and quality, it’s no surprise that fans of the Bloom have remained on a steady incline more than a decade after its release. Being available in eye-catching hues like yellow, cobalt blue, tangerine, and black with a copper base only makes it more versatile.
Kenneth Cobonpue x Seventeen
After BLACKPINK, South Korean boy group Seventeen was spotted with another red Cobonpue creation. The Dragnet Lounge Chair, a knitted design inspired by fishermen’s nets, was featured in the 13-member act’s second Japanese mini album, 24H.
According to the Cebu-based designer’s website, the piece is made from twisted fabric and wire wrapped around a stainless steel frame. It comes in bright red and black color ways, as well as more whimsical Swing and Hanging iterations.
Read more from Kenneth Cobonpue here.
