The debut collaborative release from the South Korean label and ASICS drops on November 20 at selected international retailers. The footwear arrives in three tonal options: "Black", "Navy" and "Red". Each pair translates the designer's romantic and punk aesthetics into a functional silhouette, finding visual beauty in the natural process of wilting plants.
Designer Juntae Kim founded his eponymous Seoul-based brand in 2021 after studying womenswear in South Korea and menswear in the United Kingdom. His collections focus on unravelling binary clothing constructions, blending historical pattern-cutting with contemporary subcultures and avoiding the traditional divide between menswear and womenswear. Earlier this year, the label presented its Spring/Summer 2027 collection, titled "Korean Sabotage", alongside a preview of this ASICS drop at Dongmyo, Seoul's legendary flea market. The area functions as a central hub for vintage garments and youth culture. For the collection, the designer explored themes of repair, reconstruction and Korean street style, translating the visual language of the flea market into laser-slashed outerwear, embossed leather jackets and multi-belted silhouettes. The garments apply technical precision to punk ideology, setting the stage for the accompanying footwear.
The collaboration centres on the ASICS GEL-KINETIC FR, a hybrid model introduced earlier this year. The silhouette is built around the strict proportions of a formal dress shoe, yet it is grounded by the sculptural heel structure, cushioning and impact absorption of a modern running sneaker. The model recently served as the base for a partnership with Copenhagen designer Cecilie Bahnsen, who reworked it with double Velcro straps, Mary Jane elements and high-shine floral motifs woven directly into the construction. For his own interpretation, Juntae Kim shifts the focus away from polished, delicate florals. Instead, he draws unconventional inspiration from the irregular, organic shapes of wilted petals and stamens, exploring the visual beauty found in the process of decaying flowers.
The floral design references
This decaying flower concept translates into a deliberate, faded colour treatment applied across the upper, the forefoot and the signature ASICS side stripes. The délavé effect creates a clear contrast between the formal profile of the dress-shoe upper and its technical, sculptural sole unit. The upper is manufactured from a balanced mix of synthetic and genuine leather, introducing textured finishes and a tactile character to the performance-led base. The three available options keep the colourways strictly tonal, allowing the texture and the faded treatments to remain the central focus.
The defining element of the design is a modular floral hardware piece threaded directly onto the laces of each pair. This removable accessory allows the wearer to alter the shoe's appearance on demand, shifting easily from a formal look to a contemporary streetwear aesthetic. The floral reference connects to the broader cultural interest in dried flowers in recent years, while simultaneously anchoring the label's darker, punk-leaning visual language. By making the hardware detachable, the brand offers a fluid design that adapts to individual styling preferences.
Where to buy the Juntae Kim ASICS GEL-KINETIC FR
The collaboration is available from November 20 at ASICS, Juntae Kim and selected international stockists.
Release date: November 20, 2026
Colorway: "Black", "Navy", "Red"
Where to buy: ASICS, Juntae Kim and selected retailers
Kristin Kaye
Fashion Editor
Insatiably curious about human expression, she immerses herself in literature, theater, art, and dance. Her academic journey led to degrees in Modern Literature, where she delved into The Furioso, and Historical Sciences with a focus on Contemporary History. Her studies took her to the prestigious Erasmus University Rotterdam, broadening her international perspective.
Her passion for culture isn't confined to personal enjoyment—it spills onto the pages of various publications. There, she explores not only artistic endeavors but also civil rights issues and the myriad ways human culture manifests itself. For her, writing about these topics isn't just a profession; it's an irresistible calling that stems from her deep-seated fascination with the human experience.
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