Best Dressed K-pop Stars at Met Gala 2026 truly made this year’s red carpet feel like a live art gallery show indeed! However, there was more to the event, besides those stars. While everyone gathered for fashion’s biggest night ever at the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art, the theme and dress code were “Costume Art” and “Fashion is Art”, respectively. The celebrities from different spheres of fame proved how amazing they could look while keeping up with the theme.
For example, Sabrina Carpenter looked just as cinematic as her outfit with its filmstrip elements. Meanwhile, Rihanna’s dress glittered with crystals. Not only were her accessories impressive, but even the way the dress was made was incredible, and she literally dazzled at every step. Emma Chamberlain looked like she came right out of an oil painting.
Then came the daring fellows who chose not to stick to the playbook. For instance, director Karan Johar delivered a striking debut through an ensemble that took inspiration from Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma, combining fashion with heritage in a highly personal manner. On the other hand, designer Manish Malhotra went above and beyond by transforming craftsmanship into art, as he wore a look that paid homage to the craftsmen. It was moments such as these that helped remind us of the deeper meanings of the Met Gala.
In spite of everything, I could not resist the feeling that the K-pop stars found their niche yet again at the red carpet event. Not only did they stick to the theme, but they also managed to do so in a fresh manner, using a look that was expressive and meaningful. The surrealism of the garments, combined with the painterly looks of some idols, showed that they were truly artists. so now let’s take a look at the ranking of Best dressed Kpop stars at the Met Gala 2026.
Best Dressed K-pop Stars at Met Gala 2026
BLACKPINK Lisa
Okay lest start with the best of all, according to me, Lisa at the Met Gala 2026. Yes, indeed—while others were just attending, she was conquering it. Her attire, made by Robert Wun, looked simply surreal—it had an elaborate veil supported by the sculptural arms that represent Thai dance tradition. What other person could make such an outfit look like it looks on Lisa? This piece was a true sculpture that you could stare at for hours and still find more and more interesting things in it. And how many crystals did it have? Tens of thousands! Just enough to add some sparkle, yet preserve the concept.
Audrey Nuna
Audrey Nuna has been on a fashion streak lately, and I was curious if she’d keep that momentum. Well, Audrey hasn’t disappointed me at all, as she seemed to have said, “Let’s turn it into art,” and, to be completely honest, it’s right up my alley. The way Audrey turned the paint-splashing design into an outstanding piece was impressive enough to attract my attention from the very beginning. This piece of fashion was not only creative but also perfectly elegant. While at first sight, it could seem like a complete chaos painted randomly, the knowledge that this chaos was made of crystal pieces was what made the whole thing even more intriguing.
Ejae
Ejae took the opposite route with something completely unique in every way. And boy, did she nail it! Her glittering dress with all that crystal shone at every step, just like running water. Even if it wasn’t as much about a story as some others, it was elegant enough. Art need not always be showy; sometimes, it only needs to move people somehow.
BLACKPINK Jisoo
Jisoo attended her first Met Gala, and the way she dressed was just so poetic. With the impressionistic artwork theme, her Dior dress looked like a living painting. From its beautiful floral pattern and soft colours to its sculptured details, the overall look was dreamy and ethereal. What I really loved about her look was that everything about it was cohesive, from her dress to her hairstyle.
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aespa Ningning
I had to admire Ningning’s style. Not only did her Gucci dress have the right proportions, but its material made it stand out. The ruffles and shimmer added an extra dimension that took photos to the next level, but must have looked even better in real life. I think she got the perfect balance between traditional Hollywood-style elegance and the artistic concept.
BLACKPINK Jennie
Jennie delivered exactly what I associate with her—polished, intentional, and quietly powerful. Her gown from Chanel, which had blue sequins numbering in the thousands, was reminiscent of not only fashion history but also of artistry. The beauty touches were 1920s-inspired and added an interesting story. This was no eye-catching dress for its own sake; this was a dress with heritage, and I really appreciated the restraint she showed in choosing it.
aespa Karina
Karina definitely kept everything clean and elegant, yet for some reason, her whole image just screamed “fabulous!” It’s all in the silhouette formed by the perfect combination of Prada’s impeccable clean dress and her daring trailing coat. And her choice of accessories… The touches of colour here and there were just enough to keep everything from looking boring. She had it all—simple elegance with a touch of mystery.
Jung Ho-yeon
Jung Ho-yeon at the Met Gala 2026 went with the theme with a gothic twist. She wore a black Louis Vuitton dress that was reminiscent of roses and had a structured bodice that looked like an old-fashioned corset. Personally, I loved the way that her upper part was so sleek while her skirt was so voluminous. Her gown may not have been the most flashy gown at the ceremony, but it certainly had something special about it.
Ahn Hyo-seop
Ahn Hyo-seop at the Met Gala 2026 was a huge deal for me, and honestly, I was dying to know how he would present himself in this kind of venue. He looked great in a black suit adorned with gold patterns that shone subtly from his clothes. His gold silk shirt gave off a very classy vibe, which helped his outfit be more stylish.
The one thing that stood out to me was his red scarf. He did a fantastic job in adding colour and dynamics to his outfit. He wore gold-shine shoes, which added some class to his outfit. Honestly, I was satisfied with his appearance at the gala. He didn’t go too much with the theme, but he did show up in style.
BLACKPINK Rosé
Rosé is someone I always look forward to, but this time, I felt slightly underwhelmed. To be clear, she did look amazing. In her Saint Laurent black dress, adorned with the bird brooch, she was simply gorgeous. However, something about this particular look was all too familiar. For someone so confident in her fashion sense, I would have expected a bit more of a surprise element from her.
In the end, it is evident that both fashion and K-pop will always go together, each affecting the other in a special way. Let us know your best dressed korean Stars at the Met Gala 2026 that you enjoy the most? Comment below!
