Interview with Won Jungyo Who Works with TWICE & BLACKPINK's Rosé About "The Most Important Thing in Makeup"

The Korean cosmetics brand "Wonjungyo" is led by Won Jungyo, who is active as the exclusive makeup artist for TWICE and BLACKPINK's ROSÉ, and is also recognized as a pioneer in tear bag makeup.

While the items are crafted with professional techniques and a keen sense of style, their attractive pricing makes them easily accessible. New products quickly sell out upon release, and the brand has won numerous cosmetic awards, making it one of the most noteworthy brands today.

This time, we asked Won Jungyo about her thoughts on the brand and the allure embedded in the items.

The Joy & Excitement of Makeup Proposed by Won Jungyo

As a makeup artist who has gained immense support in Korea and Japan, including K-POP artists like TWICE and BLACKPINK's ROSÉ, please share the story behind why you launched a makeup brand in Japan.

As a recognized cosmetics enthusiast, developing a brand based on that knowledge has been my long-held dream.

Through my experience as a makeup artist, the ideas of "if these two could come together" and "having such an item would be great" naturally emerged.

I understood the challenges of product development, but it was at that moment that I received an invitation from a Japanese company. I have always had a strong interest in Japanese cosmetics and held their quality in high regard, making this opportunity feel fateful.

And so, the cosmetic brand "Wonjungyo" was born.

"A New You with Makeup That Suits You." This theme reflects the fun and excitement your items bring. What thoughts are behind this concept?

In my experience applying makeup to various people, I believe that finding a makeup style that suits oneself is the most important aspect.

Everyone has different appearances and vibes, so what looks beautiful and suits one person may not necessarily be the best makeup for someone else.

For instance, a cute lipstick color may not be the color that suits you best. I think the recent trend of personal color makeup arises from more people valuing whether something suits them or not.

The brand's theme encapsulates the desire for individuals to maximize their natural qualities and find makeup that suits them, and as Wonjungyo, we aim to develop items that fulfill this aspiration.

What do you think is the reason people who can't fully enjoy makeup or feel excitement from it experience that?

I believe that, in a way, doing makeup is about self-satisfaction!

Seeing changes in oneself in the mirror and feeling satisfied by thinking, "This makeup has eliminated my complexes!" is the true essence of enjoying makeup.

The reason some people may not achieve that satisfaction is likely because they haven't found the makeup that suits them. Without knowing what makeup looks good on them, they may find it hard to appreciate the necessity of each makeup step and feel overwhelmed, leading to a lack of enjoyment.

I encourage those who aren't enjoying makeup to experiment with what aspects of their makeup they can change for improvement, or to try a complete makeover to experience a dramatically cute transformation like never before.

What Only a Makeup Artist Can Do

What can be realized because a makeup artist like you, Won Jungyo, supervise item development?

While working on K-POP artists' makeup, I have experienced diverse situations including outdoor performances in the rain, long photo shoots, and multiple makeup changes in a short time.

Since I often accompany artists, I have the opportunity to monitor the durability and fading of makeup in real-time. This experience, where I can grasp the performance of the items in detail, serves as a significant advantage in product development.

By utilizing insights gained from applying makeup to various artists—such as, "It looks great when first applied, but I worry about oiliness after some time," or "This color suits this skin tone"—I believe we can create items that are also easy to use for the general public.

Won Jungyo offers a range from base makeup to point makeup and skincare. Are there common important points in the formulation of all items?

I consider the quality of the contents in cosmetics to be extremely important.

Through my personal experiences using many cosmetics, I feel that no matter how visually appealing and trendy a product may be, the ones that I end up using most often are those with excellent contents.

I believe the quality standards of the contents vary by category, but we should expand on the points that customers seek in each item.

For example, with Wonjungyo, items used under the eyes must have excellent longevity, and cheek colors should provide a beautiful, easy-to-use application that even beginners can effortlessly manage.

These may seem like basic, obvious points, but achieving them is not easy. At Wonjungyo, we remain faithful to the standards for each product category while retaining the spirit of our beginnings.

Moreover, from the brand's inception, I have always aimed to create products that anyone can easily use every day, whether they are makeup professionals or not.

This requires us to ensure not only the quality of the contents but also the usability of the products.

Can you share the top 3 popular items from Wonjungyo?

The most popular items are "Wonjungyo Moist Up Lady Skin Pack" and "Wonjungyo Moist Up Lady Skin Pack DM."

These are targeted sheet masks used before makeup, and they're uniquely designed with a focus on the skin's temperature prior to application, something specific to Wonjungyo. They are loved by many professional makeup artists and are an essential item for me as well.

Next in popularity is the "Wonjungyo Nude Eyelash."

You can easily create fluttery eyelashes like those of Korean idols! With a total shipment of over 1 million units, this item has become one of the most popular products from the brand that is constantly trending on social media.

And the third most popular item is the "Wonjungyo Metal Shower Pencil."

This is a highly sought-after under-eye bag pencil, which is the item that led me to become known as the "foremost expert in under-eye bag makeup." It is a shadow pencil developed through much trial and error to make achieving under-eye bag makeup simple.

Wonjungyo has garnered significant support. Please share your brand's outlook for the future.

As a makeup artist creating cosmetics, I believe that my products should utilize my experiences and know-how to offer innovative items that do not exist in the current market.

I aspire to create products that introduce new elements and textures different from what is currently available, ensuring customer satisfaction.

My goal is to continue being a truly beloved brand that makes customers feel excited the first time they use our products.