Cover K-pop idols Taeyang and Somi shared their wellbeing tips at Lululemon's Find Your Wellbeing campaign launch (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong / Jimin Jeon)
K-pop idols Taeyang and Somi shared their wellbeing tips at Lululemon's Find Your Wellbeing campaign launch (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong / Jimin Jeon)
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On October 11, Lululemon kicked off its latest well-being campaign series in Seoul, where experts, athletes, celebrities and some of the brand’s ambassadors alike openly discussed mental health and other topics not talked about enough in Asia
When: October 11, 2023
Where: Seoul, South Korea
Who: Taeyang, Somi, Aya Asashina, Genki Iwahashi, Koen Setsuwan, Tha Naerng, Jenn Chia, WePark and more.
Here’s what you missed: For Canadian sportswear brand Lululemon, mental health has always been a key component of one’s well-being journey. The company, which started in 1998 selling yoga-wear, has made this philosophy the heart of their latest Find Your Wellbeing campaign series, which launched last week in Seoul, South Korea and addresses obstacles recently revealed in the company’s third-annual Global Wellbeing Report.
The regional event welcomed Lululemon’s VIP guests—including Thai actress Tha Naerng, Thai singer Koen Setsuwa, Japanese singer Genki Iwahashi, Malaysian content creator Jenn Chia, and more—to the South Korean capital for a full immersive experience to inspire and support their wellbeing journeys.
You might also like: Global Korean icons Taeyang and Jeon Somi share their mental health journeys in Lululemon’s Find Your Wellbeing campaign
The full-day event started at 9am with a grounding yoga flow session followed by a sound-bath meditation on the rooftop of the Andaz Seoul hotel, which is located in one of the city’s most luxurious neighbourhood: Gangnam.
Bare feet on the grass and heads up towards the blue sky—this hour-long mise-en-bouche prepared Lululemon’s VIP guests and ambassadors for the busy day ahead, which included a visit to Chef Mingoo Kang’s acclaimed Mingles for lunch. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant prepared a delicious menu specially curated for the event.
After lunch, VIP guests and media alike were taken to Seoul’s Cociety venue in the heart of Seongsu—aka “the Brooklyn of South Korea”—which was transformed into an immersive experience that included an art installation by floral artist Hei Iwha, a social community space (with a custom scent giveaway created by fragrance atelier Soohyang), as well as a movement and mindfulness zone, where Lululemon hosted panels and discussions. One panel discussion saw K-pop stars Taeyang and Somi reflect on their personal well-being journeys.
Thai actress Tha Naerng and Thai singer Koen Setsuwa at Lululemon's Find Your Wellbeing campaign launch event (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong / Jimin Jeon)
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“Even with a busy schedule, I make an effort to keep my well-being in the best condition by setting aside time for a walk or a workout,” Taeyang said. “I find inspiration and purpose for my own well-being through spending quality time with good people, and by journaling about my daily thoughts and emotions before I go to sleep.”
For Somi, her mental health relies upon her support network, which includes close friends she talks to regularly—whether it’s important conversations or light chit chat, communication is her way of maintaining her well-being.
Don’t miss: What you missed at the launch of Hula’s Body and Mind well-being event series
By having their VIP guests share their tips and understanding of what well-being is, Lululemon hopes to normalise this conversation; particularly among men and Gen Z in the region, who tend to have difficulties opening up about their mental health. In fact, according to the brand’s Global Wellbeing Report, 47 per cent of men in Asia Pacific say they feel society makes it difficult for them to speak up about their mental health, while 61 per cent of Gen Z wishes they could express how they truly feel.
YouTuber and Lululemon ambassador WePark and psychiatrist Dr Oh Jin-Sung then followed with their own panel discussion on resilience and the obstacles we face to reach a state of healthy mental and physical well-being. Finally, Red Velvet’s Yeri stopped by towards the end of the event for a photo op.
After the the campaign wrapped up in Seoul on October 15, it then made its way to its next stops, which include Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan.
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Salomé Grouard was Digital Editor and Front & Female Content Lead at Tatler Hong Kong. Primarily focused on managing Tatler Hong Kong’s digital platform and content, she also covers gender equality, the music scene and sports through interviews with industry leaders, experts and trendsetters.
Interview highlights include renowned conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, Korean actor Park Seo Jun, singer Jorja Smith, Chinese TV host Yue-Sai Kan, YouTuber Kimono Mom, Japanese rapper Awich, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter Mikey Musumeci.
She has also produced stories on revolutionising sexual wellness in Asia, activism within the surfing community, Asian trans musicians reclaiming their narratives through music and looked at the toxicity of gym culture through the lens of the plus-size community. She also covers music festivals, such as Hong Kong’s Clockenflap and Bali’s Suara.
