Aekyung’s ONE THING joins Musinsa Tokyo pop-up, steps up push into Japan
![ONE THING, Aekyung’s skincare brand, takes part in the Musinsa Global Tokyo pop-up [Photo=Aekyung]](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2026/04/CP-2023-0070/image-e92bdd6f-806b-4fe6-91c2-3d992bc36f29.jpeg)
Aekyung’s skincare label ONE THING is expanding its in-person presence in Japan.
The company said April 8 that ONE THING will appear at the 2026 Musinsa Tokyo Pop-up Store at Media Department Tokyo in Shibuya from April 10–26. Curated by Musinsa to reflect local tastes, the fashion-and-beauty event will feature about 80 brands.
At the pop-up, ONE THING will run integrated online-to-offline promotions and host on-site events. Highlights include a niacinamide–glutathione serum and toner, a centella extract toner, and a houttuynia cordata extract toner, with select items discounted up to 20%.
ONE THING is widening both online and brick-and-mortar channels across Japan. As of December, cumulative sales of key products like the centella and houttuynia cordata toners topped 900,000 units. The centella toner also claimed the No. 1 spot in its category on Qoo10 Japan this year.
The brand is available through major online platforms including Qoo10 Japan, Rakuten, and Amazon Japan, and in roughly 500 physical outlets such as Loft, Tokyu Hands, and Plaza. An Aekyung spokesperson said the company plans to expand its offline placements to strengthen its local foothold.
Musinsa Standard opens first Gwangju store, expands into Honam region
![Interior of Musinsa Standard’s Lotte Mall Eunpyeong store, which opened on April 2 [Photo=Musinsa]](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2026/04/CP-2023-0070/image-a52def1d-5d42-4f6f-a754-655d9142d0b4.jpeg)
Musinsa said April 8 that its casualwear label Musinsa Standard will open a new store on April 16 in the Place Spot on B1 of Shinsegae Department Store Gwangju. This will be the brand’s 39th offline shop and its first in the Honam region.
Shinsegae Gwangju sits beside the Gwangju Intercity Bus Terminal in a busy retail hub, making it an ideal spot for high foot traffic. Musinsa plans to use the store as a regional hub to deepen connections with customers across Honam.
The shop will stock 2026 spring/summer (SS) collections for men and women and will also showcase Musinsa’s expanding beauty and home lines.
To celebrate the opening, Musinsa will run on-site promotions. From April 16–19 a group-focused “Open Expedition” offers discounts ranging from 5% up to 20% for parties of five or more. Shoppers who spend more than 70,000 won (≈$52.50) will get a complimentary dessert made in collaboration with Gwangju dessert brand Judy Mari.
On April 16–17, Musinsa will sell a limited run of 50 “Super Bags” per day—each packed with popular items valued at about 300,000 won (≈$225.00)—for 49,900 won (≈$37.43) each. During the same days, the first 100 customers daily will receive coupons worth up to 50% off. Exclusive special-price offers at Shinsegae Department Store Gwangju will also run.
A Musinsa representative said the Gwangju opening is the first step toward entering regions they haven’t yet reached—like Jeju—later this year, with the goal of building a nationwide offline network.
Kakao Style posts record sales; operating profit 5.8 billion won
![Kakao Style, 3-year sales doubled [Photo=Kakao Style]](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2026/04/CP-2023-0070/image-3d5e2510-78f8-427b-9b75-2dd705b8d4a4.jpeg)
Kakao Style posted record revenue last year and recorded operating profit for the second straight year, driven by balanced gains across its Zigzag style-commerce platform, beauty, brand fashion, and delivery services.
According to Kakao Style’s audit report filed April 8, last year’s sales reached 219.2 billion won (≈$164.4M), up about 10% from the previous year. Considering 2022 sales were 101.8 billion won (≈$76.35M), the company more than doubled revenue over three years. Operating profit rose to 5.8 billion won (≈$4.35M), up from 2.2 billion won (≈$1.65M).
Core platform Zigzag maintained its momentum: the average transaction value among Zigzag’s top 300 shops grew by double digits year-over-year, signaling platform-driven expansion for merchant partners.
Category expansion also bolstered results. Zigzag’s beauty category transaction value jumped about 50% year-over-year, while brand fashion grew more than 40%. Fast-delivery service Jikjin Delivery recorded roughly 30% growth in transaction value last year.
Posty, the 40s–50s fashion platform, continued to grow—transaction value rose 20% year-over-year, and cumulative members exceeded 2.2 million.
Kakao Style plans to accelerate business expansion this year. A company official said they will keep investing and pursuing new business areas to raise the intrinsic value of their technology and products.
Hyungji Elite’s Elite Student Uniforms showcases K-school uniforms at Shanghai Fashion Week
![Elite Student Uniforms participates in the 2026 Shanghai Fashion Week kids’ fashion show [Photo=Hyungji Elite]](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2026/04/CP-2023-0070/image-fd61da76-9427-4102-a5cd-42b5bb17f592.jpeg)
Hyungji Elite’s school-uniform label Elite Student Uniforms was the only uniform brand to appear at the Shanghai Fashion Week kids’ show for the seventh consecutive season.
The company said April 8 that Elite Student Uniforms walked the kids’ runway on March 30 during Shanghai Fashion Week, one of the world’s notable fashion events. The brand has taken part each season since 2019.
This season, it introduced a premium uniform line that invigorates monochrome campus looks with pops of color. Using white, black, gray, and khaki as base hues to emphasize clean silhouettes, designers added orange, blue, and red for energy. The collection covered everything from formal uniform styles to casual pieces.
Functionality and comfort were key focuses. Materials and cuts were designed to allow freedom of movement and sustained comfort during long wear—responding to a rising demand in China for uniforms that deliver both performance and real-world wearability.
Building on premium uniform success, Hyungji Elite plans to broaden its product lineup in China and accelerate overseas expansion. Recently, it became the first domestic uniform maker to enter Japan, supplying Kyoto International Junior & Senior High School.
A Hyungji Elite spokesperson said they will continue to boost the stature of K-school uniforms by offering products that enhance both functionality and everyday comfort to meet rapidly changing needs from students and parents.
