MEGA Man gets the inside scoop from Elina Jung of ELINAILS, the nail artist behind the painted digits of Mark Tuan showcased at his concert in Manila
Last week, Mark Tuan wrapped up his “The Other Side” Asia tour in Manila, closing the chapter for all the GOT7 members performing solo in the Philippines. While he had the crowd on their feet with his tunes, one of his standout moments for us was certainly the eye-catching nail art he showed off, thanks to Elina Jung, a Korean nail artist based in Manila. In an exclusive interview with MEGA Man, she talks about the K-Pop idol’s painted nails, revealing the ins and outs of this opportunity and breaking down straightforward recommendations for any man wanting to score that exact nail style.
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How the collaboration came about
The creative mind and owner of ELINAILS shared with us the story of how the collaboration unfolded, crediting Filipino dancer Kenneth San Jose for playing matchmaker. San Jose, a regular customer of Jung, informed her that Mark Tuan also shares an interest in nail art. “Luckily, Manila was a stop on ‘The Other Side’ Asia tour and our schedules aligned. When I heard this, I knew my team and I had to grab this opportunity and say yes immediately,” she mentions.
Nail notes from Mark
Jung explains that what she gave the Korean artist is what she simply calls a “menicure,” a term she uses to describe manicures for men. “We used shades and colors in black, gold, and silver to match his current style, which is suitable for both casual wear and performances. We used mixed elements like cat-eye gel polish, which can be manipulated by a magnet in order to achieve a certain shape, sea shells, gold chrome accents, and airbrush techniques,” she details. Jung also adds that Mark’s personal taste in fashion and art is reflected in the fact that each nail has its own distinct style. She sums up the entire experience by saying, “It was really fun and exciting to collaborate since he gave me the creative freedom to explore what nail art techniques we could do that day.” Although she has previously worked with other local influencers who frequently request “menicures,” the nail technician says she is thankful to have worked with a K-Pop artist of that caliber for the first time, and she views Mark as the biggest celebrity she has worked with to date.
Tips for men who want to venture into nail art
Jung suggests that for men considering to get their nails professionally done, it’s a good idea to be ready and have a plan, especially when gearing up for an upcoming event. “Consider your daily outfits and looks if want your nails to match it,” she explains. The nail professional continues, saying that in order to get the desired look, you must ensure that your technician is using the proper tools and techniques. “I would recommend having a consultation with your nail artist first before getting a nail set,” she suggests.
Polished perspectives
Despite stating that she has been doing “menicures” since 2020, Jung admits that it was challenging for her to look for male hand models, indicating that it has not yet been fully adopted. Now, she is pleased to see men’s manicure trends gaining popularity and agrees that they are one of the things she is looking forward to seeing. “I’m very happy that people are starting to express themselves through nails. I can find more male hand models and clients now for menicures,” she states.
Photos: ELINAILS (via Instagram)
