During the May 24 broadcast of KBS2 variety show The Boss Has Donkey Ears, Go Tae Yong appeared as a new “boss” cast member and talked about his early days working in fashion.
According to the designer, before officially debuting in the industry, he worked at an online shopping mall where he first met a very young Lee Jong Suk.
Go Tae Yong recalled, “There were several models there and we sat together and chatted. I asked him what he wanted to become in the future and he said he wanted to become a famous model. That person was Lee Jong Suk. He was only in middle school at the time.”
The designer revealed that Lee Jong Suk was around 16 when they first met, but even then he immediately stood out visually.
“From the first moment I saw him, I thought he was the perfect subject,” Go Tae Yong explained. “I told him, ‘If I’m going to be a fashion designer one day, I want you to be my main role model.’”
Go Tae Yong then made good on that promise by becoming one of Korea’s youngest fashion designers. He revealed that Lee Jong Suk eventually modeled in his second fashion show after his debut.
The friendship between the two reportedly remains strong today.
Go Tae Yong shared, “These days, he still comes to my house from time to time. We talk together and eat.”
The designer also boasted of his reputation for discovering future stars through his fashion shows.
According to Go Tae Yong, several famous celebrities including Byeon Woo Seok, Nam Joo Hyuk, Jang Ki Yong, Joo Woo Jae, Lee Sung Kyung and several top models also attracted attention after appearing in his fashion shows.
He jokingly added, “They didn’t become famous first and then appear on my shows. They became famous after appearing on my shows, so people should recognize that.”
Before becoming one of Korea’s top actors, Lee Jong Suk officially debuted in 2005 as the youngest male model to ever participate in the Seoul Collection.
The actor is currently in a public relationship with IU.
Sources: Nate News
