TSA or Fashion Week?: S.Coups’s Top Five Gimpo Airport ‘Fits

Choi Seungcheol, AKA S.Coups, is the eldest member and leader of the K-Pop group Seventeen. Since debuting on May 26, 2015, the band has been nominated for and won an array of awards from global networks, like Mnet, MTV, and Billboard. At the beginning of 2022, they were nominated for Favorite K-Pop Artist at the American Music Awards. The most outstanding achievement that S.Coups has led them to, however, was granted on October 10 of this year, winning a Daesang, the most prestigious award at The Fact Music Awards, held annually in South Korea.

Given their position as international superstars, the group is often spotted jetting across the globe to attend various events and ceremonies, and their airport fashion is sensational. In a generation that has made sweatsuits acceptable to wear to the airport, Seventeen’s leader challenges that by sporting Balenciaga to Korea’s Gimpo International Airport. Here at KC, we’re breaking down a chronological list of S.Coups’s five best Gimpo Airport looks.

1. 190610, Gimpo Airport

Starting strong, S.Coups’s GMP ‘fit from June 10, 2019 features a handful of high fashion favorites. The statement piece of this look is the Balenciaga Graffiti Denim Jacket, released the year prior. It showcases faux spray-painted numbers and words like “Men’s Collection” and “Paris.” Beneath this luxury layer, he wore a black fitted tee and straight-leg black trousers. To accessorize, S.Coups modeled the Dior Saddle Messenger Bag in black calfskin, Louis Vuitton’s Horizon Black Monogram Earphones and Arc Pendant Necklace, and an Xotic Beret, also in black. With all the walking done in an airport, one needs a sensible shoe. To round out his expensive look, S.Coups adorned the Valentino Garavani Bounce Low-Top Sneakers. While his undershirt and pants are a bit bland, the accessories pull this look together and give it a lavish feel.

2. 190816, Gimpo Airport

S.Coups, accompanied by his members, was on his way to Summer Sonic, a music festival simultaneously held in Chiba and Osaka, Japan. The group arrived on August 16, 2019, and performed the following day. He kept it cool and casual with this airport look, recycling both his LV earphones and Dior saddle bag, which he strapped across his chest. Aside from these accessories, the leader wore a plain black long-sleeved shirt with cream-colored cargo pants. Although this outfit is more lax than his previous attire, his Dior CD Pendant Necklace that shone in silver stole the show. His chain glistened as paparazzi captured the rapper’s effortless style, matching his rapper persona.

3. 221106, Gimpo Airport

For this fall ‘fit, S.Coups kept warm in head-to-toe Balenciaga. Over his plain white tee, he locked in the heat with the Balenciaga x Adidas Large Fit Hoodie in black. He paired this comfy top with the Balenciaga 3B Sports Icon Tracksuit Pants in black, with a pop of red stitching for the iconic Balenciaga logo. But a tame look like this needs a wild bag, or at least S.Coups thinks so. On his shoulder rested the Balenciaga Neo Cagole City Graffiti Handbag. Similar to the denim jacket from the first look, the handbag’s smooth, deep black leather is illustrated with various faux spray paint prints. These stand-out items are sure to have caught the attention of photographers and travelers alike as the idol strutted through the airport, calm and collected.

4. 230602, Gimpo Airport

My personal favorite S.Coups airport look is from this past summer. Looking at the bigger picture, the outfit seems typical of the pop star: a tee topped with a button-down, paired with denim pants and a Nike Jordan Jumpman Classic Cap in black. But, when we take a look at the finer details, we see something entirely abstract. S.Coups wore a Space Available “Future Systems” Tee, a simple shirt with a line of straight stitches down the middle. His outer layer is a Kenzo Striped “Boke Flower” Oversized Shirt, lined in light grey, featuring the Kenzo Paris boke stamp, a bright red flower with black and yellow detailing. Completing the look are dark grey, most likely designer, denim jeans splattered with white paint. Altogether, the pieces give S.Coups a suave yet creative look, which perfectly encapsulates his personal brand.

5. 230905, Gimpo Airport

The last look on this list is from S.Coups’s most recent trip to Tokyo, Japan on Sept. 5th. He underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL just two weeks prior, rendering him unable to perform at Seventeen’s scheduled concert at the Tokyo Dome. Nonetheless, wheelchair-bound, he embarked on journey from Seoul to watch his members’ show, clad in ripped jeans that displayed his knee brace. From the waist up, he wore a Supreme Small Box Tee in White and a matching Supreme New Era Box Logo Beanie in red. For kicks, S.Coups donned the Balenciaga Men’s 3XL Mule in grey, though they weren’t seeing much action as he was wheeled around. After landing in Tokyo, the leader changed his chill outfit and enjoyed the concert in typical S.Coups fashion: with all the attention on him as he screamed “Say the Name” (the group’s official greeting) from his balcony seat, surrounded by doting Carats.