Which South Korean eyewear brand was founded in 2011 by Hankook Kim?

Gentle Monster was founded in South Korea in 2011 by Hankook Kim. The brand became internationally known for combining eyewear retail with highly theatrical store interiors and art installations.

Rather than presenting sunglasses only as practical accessories, Gentle Monster treats shops as immersive visual environments. Its stores have used oversized sculptures, moving objects, unusual lighting, and conceptual displays.

The company’s name is often confused with a product line or a fashion collaboration, but Gentle Monster is the eyewear brand itself. It sells optical frames and sunglasses, and it has collaborated with other fashion and entertainment names.

Its rapid global recognition came from both distinctive frame designs and an unusually strong visual-marketing strategy, especially in major Asian and international cities.