Imagine having just recently released your first personal brand, only to find them getting massively criticized by the public. That must have been very upsetting, don’t you think? That is just what Kpop soloist Jeon Somi might have been feeling today, knowing how much criticism are flooding against her recently-launched makeup brand, GLYF. Yet, apparently, there’s more to the story behind this massive criticism. So, what happened to Jeon Somi and her makeup brand GLYF? And does it really deserve the backlash? Join us in a comprehensive report on the issue.
Jeon Somi Launches New Product for GLYF Makeup Brand
Kpop soloist and Korea’s fashion influencer, Jeon Somi, recently launched her new personal makeup brand called GLYF.
Last week, Jeon Somi officially launched her GLYF makeup brand on her social media. With a joint announcement with the makeup brand’s official account, @glyfing, Somi revealed her first-even product release: a highlighter palette.
According to the announcement, the revolutionary highlighter palette designed to deliver a vivid glow with just a single swipe. Each shade in the palette is inspired by natural luminosity and unique moments.
Firstly, the Champagne Beam evokes the immortal radiance of vampire skin. Secondly, the Pink Beam mirrors the clear, healthy blush of a natural complexion. Meanwhile, the Blue Beam brings the freshness of an icy, transparent encounter. And lastly, the Lavender Beam captures the mysterious allure found between pink and lavender hues.
This selection was meticulously curated after Somi and her team tested over 50 highlighters from around the globe, seeking the ultimate high-beaming effect.
“As a beauty enthusiast, I’ve poured everything I learned from my singing career into creating GLYF.
My team and I have been working relentlessly since last year, making sure everything from the products themselves to the packaging and our website is just right.
Even though highlighters might not be as crucial as foundation or lipstick, they’re what I get most excited about. Usually, I end up blending three or four different products to get the look I want, so it made sense to me to put together one amazing product that does it all.”
Jeon Somi.
While the product may have been extremely gorgeous, especially under intense lighting, the public’s reception was not as well as expected. Instead, many fans are now criticizing the product despite all the stunning gleam that it featured.
What REALLY Happened Behind the Unexpected Criticism?
So, what really happened behind this unexpected criticism?
The launch videos and marketing efforts caught the eye of fans globally, but it was the pricing that drew significant backlash from Korean online communities.
According to several media reports, criticisms immediately sparked after Somi announced the price of the makeup product. The stunning highlighter she recently launched appeared to be available at 43,000 won ($31.90). Although high prices are often expected with celebrity-endorsed cosmetics, many people were shocked by the cost.
Criticism was especially sharp regarding the quad palette’s design. A lot of people felt it was overly pricey given its simple packaging, likening it to something you might find from a budget beauty brand in smaller shops.
- “I wouldn’t think of picking it up, even for ₩20,000 KRW (around $14.80 USD).”
- “Even at ₩20,000 KRW (about $14.80 USD), I’d think twice.”
- “This just doesn’t do it for me.”
- “That’s exactly why I’m going with Dior instead.”
- “The highlighter itself might be fine, but the packaging needs work.” “All the international stars make sure their packaging stands out.”
- “Everyone says there’s big money in beauty, and it looks like everyone wants in… but that packaging really…”
- “The packaging feels so cheap… it’s like they didn’t bother to design their own but just slapped their name on something generic.”
This reaction is not just limited to the local market. International observers have also expressed their astonishment, considering Korea’s reputation for combining quality with affordability in beauty products.
As we await further releases from this line, it’s clear the pricing strategy has become a topic of keen interest. After all, the full release of Somi’s makeup brand GLYF will be on April 2, 2024 in South Korea.
So, what’s your take on this? Please share your thoughts on this issue in the comments below.
UPDATE April 2, 2024:
Due to the massive backlash she received, Somi decided to lower the GLYF highlighter’s price to 34,400 KRW (25.53 USD) only.
