Nothing captures the Filipino people’s vibrant spirit more than these fresh new fits from popular streetwear brand DBTK, made in collaboration with JINRO
There’s no denying that Filipinos are the life of the party. From birthday bashes to holiday get-togethers, celebrations have become synonymous with local culture. How do they get more festive? Through good liquor and party outfits. Solidifying this part of Filipino culture, leading soju brand JINRO partnered with popular streetwear brand Don’t Blame the Kids (DBTK) to bring out an exclusive lineup of tops, paying tribute to the spirit of celebration that the country knows well.
Your Lifestyle Companion
“Clothes are everything we have to wear. It is [a] necessity of living life. We hope to be a part of Filipinos’ lives,” Dong Kyun Kook, Company President of HITEJINRO, tells MEGA.
Following its 1924 launch, JINRO Soju has grown into the top selling soju brand in South Korea. The brand has since expanded its reach to the international market. With hallyu—the Korean wave of entertainment—cementing the drink’s popularity, we witness K-dramas featuring scenes of characters drinking the iconic beverage.
Kook emphasized how JINRO’s appeal extends beyond K-drama. Despite its foreign origins, it could easily weave itself into every Filipino’s way of life especially with the fanbase of Korean artists in the country. Further integrating itself in the Filipino market, JINRO collaborated with local streetwear label DBTK to release a limited-edition clothing collection.
“I hope whenever Filipinos see our brand, they feel much younger,” Kook adds. Throughout JINRO’s 100-year history, the brand remains a staple in the market for the fresh and fun energy that it promotes—a trait that is very alike to Filipinos.
Youthful Spirit
In the local streetwear scene, no other brand mirrors JINRO’s ability to constantly reinvent itself than DBTK. The homegrown label has always resonated well with Filipinos for its unique designs. Its frequent collaborations with other brands is also something consumers constantly look forward to.
For the DBTK x JINRO collaboration, owners Emil and Vince Javier wanted to encapsulate youthful energy. “Nakita namin what JINRO wanted to convey—parang music festival and picnic or camping vibe. So, doon namin inikot ‘yung designs namin,” they share.
The collection features short and long-sleeved tops with JINRO’S iconic toad mascot. Each item is an explosion of vibrant hues, like greens reminiscent of JINRO Soju’s iconic bottle—a design choice that is completely new and unprecedented for DBTK. “Usually, lagi kami nakastick sa comfort zone namin, which is black and white. For this collection, nakita namin [na] gumawa talaga ng mga colorways for the shirt na hindi namin usually ginagawa,” the label owners tell MEGA.
JINRO’s collaboration with DBTK exemplifies the parallels between Filipino and South Korean cultures—a vibrant and fun image of celebrations being one of them. Much like the streetwear brand, JINRO has also become an ultimate lifestyle companion to its country of origin, and now to the Philippines.