MENU
SEARCHGet to know the celebrity stylist behind some of K-pop group BTS's most notable hair looks, Mujin Choi.
Korean celebrity hairsylist Mujin Choi.
Courtesy of Mujin Choi
Korean celebrity hairstylist Mujin Choi loves change, especially when it comes to hair. Having worked on the hair team for the globally popular K-pop group BTS since 2019, he has since become a world-renowned stylist in his own right for encouraging his celebrity clients to try new and daring styles and colors. Choi is the mastermind behind some of the most notable trends and hairstyles in K-pop.
Choi now works with a multitude of top K-pop idols at his own, brand-new salon, Faire by Mujin, located in the Gangnam area of Seoul. An ambassador for Korean haircare brand British M, hair health is one of the pillars of his career, as his superstar clients love to lighten and change their hair often.
Choi puts the finishng touches on a client's hair.
Courtesy of Mujin Choi
We got a chance to ask him some of our most burning questions. Learn more about this innovative celebrity stylist in the Q&A below!
A: When I started my career, I saw famous hair stylists take care of celebrities' hairstyles or get their names in magazine credits, which made me dream of being like them. Currently, I am proud and happy to be working with BTS. I feel a lot of responsibility because many people around the world are now keenly interested in every creation that is made by my hands.
A: All the members of BTS have a lot of different ideas about hairstyles. So, we often discuss various hairstyles with one another, and we also make suggestions.
Rather than coming to an immediate agreement, we are often more likely to discuss for various reasons. We always look for the next best options until a point of agreement is found.
BTS group members J-Hope and Jin. Mujin Choi loves to experiment with new cuts and colors when styling the members of BTS.
Courtesy of Mujin Choi
A: J-Hope had been wearing a favorite hairstyle and color, and I was anxious to give him a visual change. Around that time, covid lockdowns forced BTS to call off their concerts and instead, their new album "Butter" was released unexpectedly in 2021. I kept on persuading J-Hope into a new hairstyle with a short cut and very lightened color, which he'd never tried before. That was the first trial of getting him to think outside of box and luckily, he was very pleased with my suggestions and was very cooperative.
Choi's new Seoul hair salon, Faire.
Courtesy of Mujin Choi
A: I do want to convey the impression to hair stylists or clients that they may feel like they’re in my workroom rather than a hair salon. It’s similar to being in a painter’s art studio rather than a gallery.
Most hair salons in Korea utilize black and gray, tending to use metals. My salon also aims to express calm and chic sensations emanated from black and gray tones, and it is consistent with my own tone and personality. So, clients in my salon often say they feel calm and peaceful during their services.
The colorbar area of Faire.
Courtesy of Mujin Choi
A: A host of celebrities come to my salon as regular clients, such as Taeyang (Big Bang, a K-boy band), Bibi (Female singer), Meenoi (Female singer songwriter), XG (Japanese Girl band), Gabee (dancer, choreographer), Honey J (dancer, choreographer) and Kim Hyeyoon (actress), etc.
A: There are many clients coming to the salon to bleach their hair, including K-pop idols who are often dyeing and bleaching for frequent change. So, I was led to think over how I could give better care to their damaged hair and developed my own solution.
My recommendation is to apply a generous amount of leave-in essence onto both wet and dry hair as frequently as possible. I don’t recommend using a rinse-off type treatment after shampooing because it may hamper the hair essence from getting absorbed. I actually make it my rule to give this tip to my celebrities and customers in the salon.
Mujin Choi works on a client.
Courtesy of Mujin Choi
A: British M Kombucha Shampoo gives softness and smoothness. I like it especially because it's a perfect shampoo for when you’re not using a rinse-off treatment after shampooing, as per the recommendation I just mentioned. Also, British M Sea Salt Spray is one of my favorites that I often use on photoshoots or filming sets.
Able to create a shag with gorgeous texture on anyone, Stephanie Carrillo has found her calling within the beauty industry. Now she teaches shag cutting techniques herself, inspiring countless other stylists to fall in love with creating the popular look.
When you think of Stephanie Geib, think bold color. Think beautiful dimension. Think...your hairstylist best friend. As a 2017 Honoree of the MODERN SALON 100, Geib is the perfect example of being a positive force in the beauty industry, advising that being kind to others and sharing your knowledge is the real success.
Hannah Mejia believes lasting success comes from mastering your craft, embracing lifelong education and trusting that the career you dream about is within reach. A stylist, educator and content creator, Mejia has spent 15 years building a business rooted in creativity, communication and continuous growth.
Katy Samuels has spent 14 years proving that creativity thrives when you stop searching for the "right" way and start trusting your own instincts. Known for her creative color work and signature Headband Prism technique, Samuels encourages beauty professionals to embrace mistakes, refine their craft and develop a style that's uniquely their own.
Erin Munoz has spent 17 years building a thriving business behind the chair while proving that success doesn't have to come at the expense of life outside the salon. A color specialist, content creator and salon owner, Munoz believes beauty professionals should treat their careers like businesses, embrace change and make room for both financial growth and personal fulfillment.
North Carolina-based hairstylist Tyler Plemmons wants you to know one thing: Positivity and perseverance will get you everywhere. This MODERN SALON Artist Connective Member and 2018 MODERN SALON 100 Honoree is known for beautiful balayage, gorgeous vivids, and soft pastel hair color.
For Angelica Tanta, success has always come down to one thing: practice. Originally from Romania, Tanta credits an online mentor from Ukraine—despite never meeting in person and communicating through Google Translate—with inspiring her to perfect her bridal artistry through relentless repetition.
Angela Orozco believes long-term success in the beauty industry is built on trust, consistency and genuine human connection. A stylist at The Nest Salon in Brea, California, Orozco has spent 14 years cultivating a reputation for dimensional brunettes, precision haircutting and authentic relationships that have fueled her career.
Erin Mills believes beauty professionals deserve more than a successful career. A hairstylist turned multi-salon owner, Mills has spent 17 years growing her business while helping her team create lasting impact.
For Mish Jolie (@meltedbymish), success isn't measured by how busy you are, it's measured by how fulfilled you feel. The Connecticut-based stylist, educator and MODERN SALON 100 honoree has built a career around balayage, lived-in brunettes and razor cutting.
Amanda Harsche has built her career on two simple beliefs: never stop learning and never stop connecting.
Whether it's social media, fashion, film, art, or culture, Chaz Dean advises stylists to stay aware of what's inspiring people. Take the elements that make sense for you in these five lessons learned through a life in beauty.
For Jessica Domoney, building a successful career isn't about saying yes to every opportunity, it's about protecting your time, investing in yourself and creating an experience clients won't forget.
Transformation artist Melissa Dawn has spent more than two decades building a career that's equal parts creativity and business strategy. Dawn is known for dramatic transformations, creative color and a philosophy that encourages beauty professionals to keep learning, set healthy boundaries and define success on their own terms.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and select a specialty. Amelia Fugitt (@ameliahairmakeup) says choosing to focus on transformations has transformed her career.
In this content series, we're focusing on artists who found a niche that really speaks to them and work for their career. Henry "Tribes" Amoloja (@theweightedcape), is based in Dallas, TX, and practices sensory-friendly barbering.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. Texas-based artist Kimberly Michelle has always loved focusing on healthy hair and scalp, and headspa rituals was a natural evolution.
