Cover K-pop icons Taeyang and Somi join Lululemon’s Find Your Wellbeing campaign (Photo: courtesy of Lululemon)
K-pop icons Taeyang and Somi join Lululemon’s Find Your Wellbeing campaign (Photo: courtesy of Lululemon)
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Lululemon kicks off a series of mental health initiatives with the Find Your Wellbeing launch event in Seoul
Gone are the days when mental health and well-being were taboo topics, hidden beneath the masks people wore to save face and appear strong. Today, strength comes in many shapes and forms, from the weights you use in the gym to the happiness you feel or the community you turn to.
Lululemon understands the importance of mental health, and aims to inspire the world to find its own version of well-being through a campaign of unique initiatives that support physical, mental and social wellness.
Launching in Seoul on October 11, Taeyang and Jeon Somi—best known by her stage name Somi—will kick off the Find Your Wellbeing campaign with experts in the field like athletes, celebrities and Lululemon ambassadors. Following this four-day event, Lululemon will host a series of events throughout Asia-Pacific, such as community sweat sessions, interactive pop-ups and more.
The campaign is informed by the brand’s 2023 Global Wellbeing Report, a 14-market study that explores the modern paradox of well-being—and the societal beliefs and barriers around it. This year, the report found that one in three people believe their well-being is the lowest it’s ever been, and the same proportion don’t seek help as they don’t feel comfortable talking about it. Even worse, 42 per cent of people feel pressure to fake a smile when they aren’t happy.
Above Singer-songwriter Taeyang (Photo: courtesy of Lululemon)
Above Taeyang first made an appearance in the K-pop scene as member of boyband BigBang (Photo: courtesy of Lululemon)
Singer-songwriter Taeyang (Photo: courtesy of Lululemon)
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Societal pressures mean men are expected to act and behave in a certain way, and 43 per cent of males in the region feel these expectations can make it difficult to authentically express emotions. Many men also fear judgement for showing interest in mental health, and for K-pop singer-songwriter Taeyang, he prioritises his well-being by placing value in the people he surrounds himself with and taking time to enjoy harmonious activities. “When I go for a walk, it feels like a doorway to creativity opens up for me,” he says. In turn, he feels his mindset shift into a positive place, where inspiration can strike. “When I’m in a good state of well-being and in the right mindset, I get inspired by [my] positive experiences and express them through my music in a unique way.”
Above K-pop icon Somi (Photo: courtesy of Lululemon)
Above Somi is a famous Korean singer, rapper and dancer (Photo: courtesy of Lululemon)
K-pop icon Somi (Photo: courtesy of Lululemon)
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Similarly, singer, rapper and dancer, Somi believes that acknowledging her emotions is the first step to well-being. “Being happy is hard to define, and everyone will have a different definition. When I’m in a good place, I try to live in the moment and feel every emotion that’s popping,” she says. The Wellbeing Report found that 60 per cent of Gen Z see social media as pressuring them to present the perfect life. Taking her life offline to express her feelings and emotions, Somi turned to movement. “Taekwondo and dancing are similar,” she says. “You have to express your feelings and emotions through your moves.”
Lululemon’s Find Your Wellbeing movement is only beginning. Three-quarters of people would like society to talk more about mental health, according to the report, which recommends steps that anyone can take—like moving your body with friends or prioritising quality time with loved ones. Well-being consists of more than just exercise, and the athletic apparel brand’s 2023 campaign approaches self-care through holistic mindfulness, simple acts of movement and human connection.
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