Photo Credits: Marie Claire Korea MNet

A Pictorial Steeped in Narrative: From Survival Stage to Fashion’s Forefront

Chuei Liyu’s meteoric rise began as a visual icon on the hit survival show BOYS II PLANET, where his deliberate styling and poise captured the hearts and votes of Korean fans. Now, under the lens of Marie Claire Korea’s editorial eye, he reimagines himself, embodying a dreamlike motif that blurs reality and fantasy – a theme intricately woven throughout the shoot. This digital debut is symbolically resonant: Liyu isn’t just showcasing clothes, he’s narrating his journey of striving, believing, and self-reinvention—an ode to the youth who dream beyond boundaries.​

Styling Breakdown: Liyu’s Wardrobe, Hair, and Makeup Per Look

Across the pictorial, Liyu shape-shifts through multiple looks, each engineered to evoke a distinct mood, underscoring his reputation as both fashion chameleon and soulful muse.​

  • Look 1: Noir Reverie
    The opening sequence sees Liyu in a tailored black suit, accented by minimal silver jewelry and crisp, elongated silhouettes. His hair, jet-black and styled in soft layers, frames a face painted with near-nude makeup—subtle contouring, feathered brows, and a hint of dewy highlight that enhances his naturally luminous skin. The effect is cinematic—K-drama hero meets modern couture.​​
  • Look 2: Futuristic Blonde Fantasy
    Midway through, Liyu surprises in an avant-garde ensemble: cream-blonde hair swept upward with gel and gentle tousling, creating contrast against monochrome pieces of sculptural outerwear. The makeup here shifts—light peach blush, high-gloss lips, and a bold, shimmering lid, playing with the boundary between masculine and ethereal. Effortless posing amplifies the surreal tone, echoing the shoot’s fantasy theme.​
  • Look 3: Daydream Streetwear
    A softer look features pastel layers, oversized knits, and sneaker-led styling, aimed directly at Gen Z sensibilities. For this shot, Liyu’s hair returns to natural dark hues with gentle waves, and the makeup is pared back: washed-out tones, fluffy brows, and a luminous finish that promotes transparency and authenticity—hallmarks of contemporary Korean beauty trends.​​

Editorial Impact: The Duality of Liyu’s Persona

What sets this Marie Claire pictorial apart isn’t just technical execution; it’s the way Liyu animates the clothing, furnishings each shot with emotion and story. The editorial is a study in duality—ephemeral and bold, rooted yet unbound—and it reflects both his on-stage artistry and an emerging sense of off-stage maturity. For fans and fashion observers, this shoot signals Liyu’s arrival not only as an idol but as a muse for the next phase in Korean style evolution.

Chuei Liyu’s first digital shoot with Marie Claire Korea is more than a pictorial—it is an affirmation of dreams made visible, and a promise that the border between fashion fantasy and youthful reality continues to blur, one visionary frame at a time

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