See ATEEZ’s Hongjoong Get Ready for Paul Smith’s F/W ’25 Show

Just as he sings with his K-pop boy band ATEEZ, Hongjoong is a treasure. The self-declared “captain” of the group catapulted to global superstardom when the eight-member act debuted in October of 2018. The octet, whose name stands for “A Teenager Z,” have since released the Treasure album series, Zero album series, Into the A to Z, Zero album series, and The World album series. Not to mention, they kicked off their career with a sold-out global tour just four months after they landed on the global music scene. Today, ATEEZ continue to top the charts, fill stadiums, and headline big festivals, including Coachella.

Hongjoong has curated an Instagram feed and Getty Image catalog that is truly Pinterest board-worthy. The 26-year-old’s enviable fashion oscillates among moody streetwear, edgy grunge, and polished preppy. “I wear what feels authentic to me, what speaks to my mood and vibe at the time,” he says. He served quite the look at Paul Smith’s autumn/winter 2025 menswear show in Paris recently. Dressed head-to-toe in the English designer, Hongjoong enchanted the City of Love in a deep-teal suit, sea-foam green button-down, a muted-green polka-dot tie, black penny loafers, and, to pull everything together, thin-framed glasses.

Read ahead for InStyle’s exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how Hongjoong cleaned up nice for the big event. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Why He Loves Paris Fashion Week

“The energy is contagious,” he says. “There’s such a palpable sense of creativity and passion from everyone involved, whether it’s the designers, models, or the crowd. After every show, I walk away feeling completely inspired, eager to push my own boundaries and be more innovative in what I do.”

Why He Loves Paul Smith

“I’ve been a fan of Paul Smith since I was young. It’s one of those iconic brands that sparked my love for classic tailoring. There’s something timeless about the designs that made me dream of the day I could wear suits like this.”

His Personal Style

“One word: Myself! I wear what feels authentic to me, what speaks to my mood and vibe at the time. It’s all about confidence and being comfortable in your own skin.”

The Paul Smith Show Look

“I wanted to be in character for this show, and lately, I’ve been really drawn to green,” he says. “Plus, I recently dyed my hair blonde, so I thought this suit would be the perfect way to complement that new look.”

The Accessories

“I’d say the main statement piece today are my glasses. Working with my styling team, we decided they’d be the finishing touch to complete the look. It’s all about the little details, and those glasses really pull the whole outfit together.”

Highlight of the Show

“Meeting Paul Smith himself. It was an honor to exchange a few words with a legend like him. His influence on the fashion world has been immense.”

His After-Show Plans

“I’m going straight to Zurich after this, since we have a concert tomorrow. It’s a quick turn, but I’m excited to bring the energy to the stage.”

His Style Icons

“David Bowie is definitely one of my style icons. He was completely unapologetic about expressing himself through fashion.”

How He Unwinds

“I know it sounds strange, but I unwind by working! Lately, I’ve been really focused on new music. When I need to decompress, diving into the creative process is the best way for me to clear my head and feel centered.”