Project Runway Korea Explained

Native Name:
Hangul:프로젝트 런웨이 코리아
Runtime:60 minutes
Creator:Eli Holzman
Starring:Lee So-ra
(2009-)
Kan Ho-sup
(2009-12)
Shin Yoo-jin
(2009-10)
Kim Seok-won
(2009-)
Jeon Mi-Gyeong
(2011-)
Jung Goo-ho
(2013-)
Country:South Korea
Network:OnStyle
Language:Korean
Num Seasons:5
Num Episodes:59

Project Runway Korea was the South Korean version of the American reality show Project Runway. It was Korean television's first localized franchise from a foreign-language reality competition, and the third Project Runway version in Asia after Malaysia and the Philippines.

The winner of Project Runway Koreas first season received 50 million in prize money, along with a car and a fashion spread in Elle Korea; the second season increased the prize money to ₩70 million.[1]

The show's fifth and final season, an All Stars Season, concluded in May 2015.

Production

The show is hosted by Lee So-ra, supermodel, together with Editor-in-Chief of ELLE Korea Shin Yoo-jin and ANDY & DEBB designer Kim Seok-won completing the judging panel. Meanwhile, fashion design professor Kan Ho-sup serves as mentor to the designers.[2] Lee replaced Kang Ho-dong (comedian and variety show host), who was the choice to host Project Runway Korea, as FremantleMedia (international distributor of the Project Runway franchise) found it inappropriate to have a comedian in a fashion-related program. Over 500 designers auditioned, and 14 of them were chosen as finalists. The final three designers will get the chance to show their collection in the 2009 Fall/ Winter Seoul Collection, with the winner receiving 50 million won (roughly US$34,200), a 2009 GM Daewoo Lacetti and a fashion spread in ELLE Korea. The show premiered on cable network OnStyle on February 7, 2009.[3]

News reports stated that the production company of Project Runway Korea paid 100 million won (roughly US$71,900) to purchase the franchise, which included a 700-page "bible" that details the program's format, production notes, and casting procedures. The whole season is said to have been produced at a budget of 700 million won (roughly US$506,100) for all of its 10 episodes, compared to Project Runway that has a production budget of 500 million won (roughly US$361,500) for every episode.

During the promotion of the program, the staff of Project Runway Korea stated that "everything about (Project Runway and its Korean version) is the same except for the color of the contestants' skin."[4]

The first season will feature appearances from celebrity Uhm Jung-hwa, fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon, and designer from Project Runways fourth season Victorya Hong, who incidentally has Korean lineage.[5] [6]

As of Season 4, the show has begun filming in an HDTV format.

Season 1

Names of the designers are arranged in "Romanized" order, while the ages listed are the designers' ages at the time the show was taped in late 2008.[7]

ContestantAgePlace Finished
Kye Han-hee 2114th
Lee Eun-jeong3713th
Kim Hong-bum3012th
So Ye-in 2511th
Yoo Sang-wook2710th
Kyung Cho-rong289th
Shin Jae-eun 418th
Kim Jae-min217th
Lee Myung-sin226th
Jung Jae-woong255th
Lee Seung-hee334th
Choi Hye-jung282nd Runner-up
Nam Yong-seop 291st Runner-up
Lee Woo-kyung26Winner
Designer!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 Eliminated Episode
Lee Woo-kyungWIN IN IN IN IN LOW LOW HIGH WIN WINNER 11 - Finale
Nam Yong-seopIN IN WININ LOW HIGH LOW WIN HIGH RUNNER-UP
Choi Hye-jungIN IN IN HIGH IN LOW HIGH LOW LOW 3RD PLACE
Lee Seung-heeHIGH LOW LOW HIGH LOW IN WIN HIGH OUT 9 - Korean Soul
Jung Jae-woongIN HIGH HIGH IN HIGH WIN HIGH LOW OUT
Lee Myung-sinIN IN LOW WIN WININ HIGH OUT 8 - Absolute Esthetics of Ballerinas
Kim Jae-minLOW IN LOW LOW HIGH HIGH OUT 7 - HelloAfrica!
Shin Jae-eunIN IN IN LOW IN OUT 6 - Try To Follow Me
Kyung Cho-rongIN LOW HIGH IN OUT 5 - Resort Project
Yoo Sang-wookLOW WIN IN OUT 4 - Bag Transformation
So Ye-inIN IN OUT 3 - Sedan Above Design
Kim Hong-bumHIGH LOW OUT
Lee Eun-jungLOW OUT 2 - Standard Of Party
Kye Han-heeOUT 1 - Welcome To The Runway

The designer won Project Runway Korea.

The designer won that challenge.

The designer was in the top two, but did not win.

The designer had one of the highest scores for that challenge, but did not win.

The designer had one of the lowest scores for that challenge, but was not eliminated.

The designer was in the bottom two, but was not eliminated.

The designer lost and was out of the competition.

Season 2

ContestantAgePlace Finished
Lee Hyun-shik3115th
Lee Jae-hoon2514th
Hyun Sung-shik3213th
Yoon Se-na3012th
Lee Dong-jun2211th
Jung Ga-young2310th
Bang Ji-eun259th
Jung Hyun-joo298th
Choi Chang-sook367th
An Song-eun226th
Yoon Choon-ho275th
Kim Ji-hye314th
Jung Mi-young302nd Runner-up
Choi Hyoung-wook301st Runner-up
Jung Go-woun25Winner
Designer!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 Eliminated Episode
Jung Go-wounWINWININ IN IN HIGH WINLOW HIGH HIGH WINNER 12 - Finale
Choi Hyoung-wookHIGH IN IN LOW WIN WINLOW LOW LOW LOW RUNNER-UP
Jung Mi-youngIN HIGH HIGH WINLOW IN LOW WIN LOW WIN3RD PLACE
Kim Ji-hyeIN HIGH IN HIGH IN HIGH LOW LOW HIGH OUT 10 - Capital of Design
Yoon Choon-hoIN IN WIN IN LOW LOW LOW HIGH WINOUT
An Song-eunIN IN IN LOW IN LOW LOW HIGH OUT 9 - Preety Women, Lovely Couple
Choi Chang-sookIN IN LOW HIGH HIGH IN LOW OUT 8 - Hiphoper's Wedding Crasher
Jung Hyun-jooLOW IN IN HIGH HIGH IN OUT 7 - 101 Purple Bloom
Bang Ji-eunIN LOW IN IN IN OUT 6 - Imigination : The Car
Jung Ga-youngLOW IN LOW IN OUT 5 - Heel is Finish of Couture
Lee Dong-junIN IN IN OUT 4 - Christine, Yesterday & Today
Yoon Se-naHIGH LOW HIGH OUT
Hyun Sung-shikIN IN OUT 3 - Warming Rainy Day
Lee Jae-hoonIN OUT 2 - Fashionista's Going Out
Lee Hyun-shikOUT 1 - Master of Recycling

The designer won Project Runway Korea.

The designer won that challenge.

The designer was in the top two, but did not win.

The designer had one of the highest scores for that challenge, but did not win.

The designer had one of the lowest scores for that challenge, but was not eliminated.

The designer was in the bottom two, but was not eliminated.

The designer lost and was out of the competition.

Season 3

ContestantAgePlace Finished
Lee Hak-lim3315th
Lee Tae-kyung2714th
Jeon Ju-hyun2713th
Jung Nok-young2512th
Hong Ji-sun2311th
Gwon Bo-mi2710th
Jo Seo-young329th
Jo Hang-yong248th
Hwang Jae-geun347th
Kim Won-shik266th
Jung Hee-jin275th
Kim Jin324th
Lee Se-jin242nd Runner-up
Gwon Soon-soo241st Runner-up
Shin Joo-yeon24Winner
Designer!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 Eliminated Episode
Shin Joo-yeonWIN LOW IN IN HIGH HIGH IN WIN LOW HIGH WINNER 12 - Finale
Gwon Soon-sooIN HIGH WIN IN IN LOW WIN IN LOW WIN RUNNER-UP
Lee Se-jinIN HIGH HIGH HIGH IN IN IN HIGH LOW LOW 3RD PLACE
Kim JinHIGH IN HIGH HIGH IN WIN LOW LOW LOW OUT 9 - Meaning The Motor Clothing / 10 - Love, I Love You
Jung Hee-jinIN LOW IN IN IN IN HIGH LOW LOW OUT
Kim Won-shikIN IN IN LOW LOW HIGH HIGH HIGH WIN OUT
Hwang Jae-geunHIGH LOW IN WIN HIGH IN LOW OUT 8 - Invite The Latin Continent
Jo Hang-yongIN LOW LOW LOW WIN LOW OUT 7 - Stage Shock
Jo Seo-youngIN IN IN IN LOW OUT 6 - Blue Jeans Being Beautiful
Gwon Bo-miIN IN IN IN OUT 5 - Only My Jewels
Hong Ji-sunIN WIN LOW OUT 4 - Toy Madness
Jung Nok-youngLOW HIGH OUT 3 - Spring Scent For Her
Jeon Ju-hyunIN OUT 2 - Café Non-Standard
Lee Tae-kyungLOW OUT
Lee Hak-limOUT 1 - If I Becomes Top 3?

The designer won Project Runway Korea.

The designer won that challenge.

The designer was in the top two, but did not win.

The designer had one of the highest scores for that challenge, but did not win.

The designer had one of the lowest scores for that challenge, but was not eliminated.

The designer was in the bottom two, but was not eliminated.

The designer lost and was out of the competition.

Season 4

ContestantAgePlace Finished
Jung Ji-eun3115th
Kim Sung-gwon2814th
Kim Min-ji2313th
Lim Je-yoon2212th
Park So-hyun2911th
Kim Gyung-mi3010th
Gi Yoon-ha249th
Kim Sung-hyun238th
Kim Jae-woong217th
Gang Sung-do276th
An Jae-hyun295th
Jo A-ra264th
Oh Yu-kyung252nd Runner-up
Lee Ji-seung281st Runner-up
Kim Hye-ran30Winner
Designer!
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011 12 13 Eliminated Episode
Kim Hye-ranLOW HIGH IN HIGH IN WIN IN WIN IN LOW WINWINNER 13 - Finale
Lee Ji-seungIN WIN IN IN HIGH LOW HIGH HIGH WIN WIN HIGH RUNNER-UP
Oh Yu-kyungLOW IN IN HIGH IN IN IN IN HIGH HIGH LOW 3RD PLACE
Jo A-raHIGH IN WIN IN IN IN WIN HIGH LOW HIGH OUT 12 - Fashion Herb City
An Jae-hyunIN IN IN IN LOW LOW IN IN HIGH LOW OUT
Gang Sung-doWIN IN IN LOW IN HIGH HIGH LOW LOW OUT 11 - Fashion Outline
Kim Jae-woongIN LOW HIGH IN HIGH HIGH LOW LOW OUT 10 - My Lucky Cast
Kim Sung-hyunHIGH IN HIGH LOW LOW HIGH LOW OUT 9 - Fashionikids VVIP
Gi Yoon-haIN LOW LOW IN WINLOW OUT 8 - See The Future of Runway
Kim Gyung-miLOW IN IN WIN IN OUT 7 - Driver Gentleness
Park So-hyunHIGH IN LOW IN OUT 6 - Red Carpet Goddess
Lim Je-yoonHIGH HIGH IN OUT 5 - Hard-Wear
Kim Min-jiIN IN OUT 4 - Collects The Light Of Amethyst
Kim Sung-gwonLOW OUT 3 - The Heroes of Pyongchang
Jung Ji-eunOUT 1 - Fall Off The Party / 2 - Wonder Designer

The designer won Project Runway Korea.

The designer won that challenge.

The designer was in the top two, but did not win.

The designer had one of the highest scores for that challenge, but did not win.

The designer had one of the lowest scores for that challenge, but was not eliminated.

The designer was in the bottom two, but was not eliminated.

The designer lost and was out of the competition.

All-STARS

ContestantAgeOriginal SeasonOriginal RankedPlace Finished
Jung Jae-woong30Season 15th12th
Jo A-ra28Season 44th11th
Oh Yu-Kyung27Season 42nd Runner-up10th
Choi Chang-sook40Season 27th9th
Nam Yong-seop34Season 11st Runner-up8th
Hyun Sung-shik36Season 213th7th
Kim Sung-hyun25Season 48th6th
Jung Mi-young34Season 22nd Runner-up5th
Yoon Se-na34Season 212th4th
Lim Je-yoon24Season 412th2nd Runner-Up
Lee Myung-sin27Season 16th1st Runner-Up
Hwang Jae-geun37Season 37thWinner
!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Eliminated Episode
Hwang Jae-geunIN HIGH HIGH WIN LOW HIGH LOW HIGH HIGH WIN WINNER 11 - Finale
Lee Myung-sinWIN LOW IN IN WIN LOW HIGH HIGH WIN LOW RUNNER-UP
Lim Je-yoonHIGH LOW IN IN HIGH HIGH HIGH LOW HIGH HIGH 3RD PLACE
Yoon Se-naIN HIGH WIN LOW IN WIN IN LOW LOW OUT 10 - Cause and Effect
Jung Mi-youngIN LOW IN HIGH HIGH LOW LOW WIN OUT 9 - Feather Magic
Kim Sung-hyunLOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW WIN OUT 8 - Bag Hi-End
Hyun Sung-shikIN HIGH IN IN IN HIGH OUT 7 - Dog-Healing Life
Nam Yong-seopHIGH HIGH HIGH IN IN OUT 6 - Ultimate Paper Couture
Choi Chang-sookIN LOW LOW HIGH OUT 5 - Korean Women President
Oh Yu-KyungIN HIGH IN OUT 4 - Make-Up Extreme
Jo A-raLOW WIN OUT 3 - Brand New Boy
Jung Jae-woongLOW OUT 1 - Mistakes Breed Success / 2 - Princess Twist

The designer won Project Runway Korea.

The designer won that challenge.

The designer was in the top two, but did not win.

The designer had one of the highest scores for that challenge, but did not win.

The designer had one of the lowest scores for that challenge, but was not eliminated.

The designer was in the bottom two, but was not eliminated.

The designer lost and was out of the competition.

References in popular culture

On March 28, 2009, Muhan Dojeon, the top-rating comic-variety programme in Korea, broadcast a special episode titled "Project RunAway" (프로젝트 런어웨이) (episode 147) to test each of the member's commercial design ability, with the host of PRK, Lee So-ra. The main challenge given to each member was made by comedian Kim Gyeong-min's request, to design his comic dress to wear at the MBC's variety programme Happy-Time. At last, surprisingly, the winner of this neck-and-neck competition is Park Myeong-su by the judges' Rock-paper-scissors decision. This free-to-air episode also marked the highest ratings of the series.[8]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Han, Sang-hee. 'Project Runway Korea' Season 2 Launches. The Korea Times. January 26, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
  2. Web site: OnMedia. Judges, Project Runway Korea official site. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090204184451/http://onmoviestyle.com/projectrunway/judge.asp. 2009-02-04.
  3. News: Sang-hee. Han. Project Runway Korea to Hit Small Screen. The Korea Times. December 3, 2008.
  4. News: Kang-hyun. Jung. In fashion, one day you're in - airing in Korea, that is. Korea JoongAng Daily. February 4, 2009. February 8, 2009.
  5. News: Jean. Oh. Project Runway Korea ready to hit catwalk. The Korea Herald. February 6, 2009. February 8, 2009.
  6. News: Victorya Hong Takes to Korean Project Runway . February 7, 2009 . Digital Chosun Ilbo . February 9, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090211101734/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200902/200902070002.html . February 11, 2009 .
  7. Web site: Designers, Project Runway Korea official site. OnMedia. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090204184935/http://onmoviestyle.com/projectrunway/designer.asp. 2009-02-04.
  8. http://artsnews.media.paran.com/news/19938 Muhan Dojeon marked as the highest ratings with Project RunAway special edition