Elle Korea: Clashing Contrasts

ELLE KOREA

CLASHING CONTRASTS

OPPOSITES Clashing Contrast: Day and Night Uncommon minds create offbeat and unconventional images: clashing contrasts. The editorial staff of Elle Korea let the dramatic Day and Night images of their January 2017 issue work their magic on their readers. The South Korean superstar, Lee Joon Gi, is portrayed as Sunshine that is ‘Brighter Than The Sun’ on a sunny winter morning, and Intensity that is ‘Deeper Than The Night’ on a dark, chilly winter night.

BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN Sunshine Yellow Personality https://www.instagram.com/p/BOElNPnBTK2/?taken-by=actor_jg&hl=en An aesthetically interesting picture which is balanced. Lee, the car boot and the low building on the right is balanced by the taller building on the left and the iron door with its handles, and flush bolt. Adorable city hunk flaunts the trappings of wealth    Looking for sunshine? It’s hard to shake off the feeling that Lee is sunshine itself – he is sunnier than the sunny winter morning. The gorgeous and multi-talented Lee Joon Gi may be kicking up a storm in his North American movie, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter but he dominates Elle Korea’s first issue with his charming and adorable looks. It is almost inconceivable that the brutal Commander Lee of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, and Lee Joon Gi in Elle’s pictorial spread are one and the same person. Lee’s easy versatility, which has made him equally at home in any role, has won him many hearts. In Elle’s picture, Lee Joon Gi is sunshine itself; being full of life and laughter. The dazzling actor looks a picture of glowing joy and bubbly energy with his sparkling eyes and mischievous smiles which light up the already bright atmosphere. It is tempting to imagine Lee to be brighter than the sun. With his sparkle-dazzle sunshine yellow personality, Lee Joon Gi perfectly and spectacularly epitomises sunshine – radiating joy, fun and playfulness. His  goofy expressions and his movements which are punctuated with pulsating hand-pushing gestures are so winsome and engaging that one can easily fall for his charms. Surely viewers couldn’t be happier with his inimitable sunshine look, megawatt smiles and the element of humour and fun that he has injected into the fashion shoot. https://www.instagram.com/p/BOD_ALIhz4d/ The funny faces and his fluid body movements give the impression that the flamboyant city boy who is flushed with wealth is enjoying himself. In the midst of all the warmth and positive energy that he exudes by his constantly changing and dynamic facial and physical movements, one can see clashing contrasts.  Seated cross-legged on the boot of a car, which is parked in a grim, worn and shabby property of what looks like part of an industrial site, he keeps the air around him light with his adorable antics.The white car is set against the vibrant yellow metal wall that needs a new coat of paint. Winter calls for cozy layers and whimsical pairings in Elle. At first glance, the sumptuous grey fluffy coat that Lee has draped over himself in the cold winter morning looks like a real high-end fur coat. But on closer inspection, the unique gender-fluid long sleeve fur coat which is the focal piece of the ensemble is faux fur. Although Lee is nearly swallowed up by the showy, shaggy faux fur coat, he looks fabulous. If one is chilled to the bone, one might be tempted to crawl under the voluminous coat. No need to argue whether it is real fur or faux fur. It is no secret that Lee Joon Gi is an animal lover, and a favourite of PETA. The traces of curls on his head match the shaggy coat. Elle makes use of neon colours in the picture – bright, vivid and eye-catching: yellow, white and red. Yellow metal wall. White sedan car. Lee has red on him. The coat, which is worn over a black-and-grey printed blazer and a grey shirt, contrasts with the loud maroon-coloured skin-tight or snug jeans. Teamed with a pair of expensive white Puma flip-flops and matching long white socks, the fabulous look reveals a whimsical sense of humour.   You don’t have to squint at him. There are no spangly, glittering or shiny adornments on his body. Nothing either on his digits. Only two platinum chains, one with a Union Jack pendant, dangle from his neck. The image of a wealthy hunk dressed in an eye-catching ensemble and set against a shabby background in a poorer section of the city spells two incongruous and contrasting worlds - a picture of ‘clashing contrasts’.

Intensity DEEPER THAN THE NIGHT The second image of Lee Joon Gi speaks of loneliness, darkness and a solitary existence. The winter night, the colour of mahogany, contrasts with the previous sunshine picture of Lee. The winter seems to have a grip on Lee as he hugs his voluminous coat tightly to his body. But, if it’s any consolation, freezing cold winter nights need not be dreary and gloomy. Two contrasting worlds. The silence and calm of the overhead bridge, high above the highway. Beyond the protection of the bridge is the constantly moving traffic which pulses with light at the late hour of the night. The constant flashes of vehicle headlights are reminders that the world is alive. Etched against the charcoal-darkness of the wintry night, Lee Joon Gi stands motionless with both arms folded together across his chest in a self-hug. An image of seriousness and unapproachability. Lee has taken on the look of intensity with an unmistakable feral glow in his eyes; an intensity that is deeper than the night. Lee’s seemingly sombre but arresting big-collared black winter coat, has unique silvery bling-bling floral print designs that seem to blink and wink in the night. Lee wears it over a long black turtleneck pullover.  Bulky winter attire may not seem glamorous by any means. But, as it turns out, Lee looks gorgeous and seductive in such wear on that bone-chilling winter night.

SEDUCTIVE POSES Lee looks alluring and stunning in his chocolate furry jacket and black skinny jeans and boots. His sexy long, lean legs definitely add to the charm. Naughty, flirtatious look Come-hither look Captivating