When she’s on stage, Bibi seems right at home. It’s where she’s her most cheeky, flirtatious and teasing self—having worked through all the big-name festivals, from Coachella to Rolling Loud and Head In The Clouds. Her sizable discography lets her flit through the multi-faceted characters she’s created for herself; from the honey-sweet angel behind the floaty ‘Bam Yang Gang’ to the venomous fire waiting to unleash itself every time she performs the rage-filled shocker ‘Bibi Vengeance’. Then there’s ‘Derre’, which sees her as a juicy, queer lover. But to get further acquainted with the darker side of her world? Perhaps all it takes is a read of the lyrics for ‘Bad Sad and Mad’.
There’s no denying this free spirit of her world. Beyond the wildly disparate discography she’s already built to her name, Bibi has also dabbled in her fair share of acting projects—and aced the job, making her film debut with Hopeless, which premiered at Cannes in 2023. But perhaps it was her riveting portrayal of a drug distributor in The Worst of Evil which truly proved her might, holding her own opposite South Korean A-listers such as Ji Chang-wook and Wi Ha-joon.
So her artistry proves to be as diverse as it is complex. And to visually execute it all? Bibi certainly relies on a cataclysmic range of attitudinal beauty details to enact her ever-changing vision. Be it her capricious hair swerves or the make-up choices she makes that are rife with symbolism, the South Korean singer-actress certainly knows how to utilise a beauty moment to make a powerful statement. One overarching note she’ll never seem to forgo? A pair of red moles drawn under her eyes, an ode to her late grandfather.
Below, Vogue Singapore gathers some of Bibi’s most memorable hair and make-up moments.
1 / 11
Child's play
For a song like ‘Derre’, the queer references may be rife. So much so that when Bibi’s portraying an image of innocence, you almost need to think again. Child-like sensuality comes through in pinched cheeks, a pair of thin rims and a set of choppy micro bangs.
2 / 11
It-girl coming through
The epitome of cool girl energy is built on this image. Her AirPods Max a paid actor, all it leaves are her baby braids, her cherry pink matte lip and her signifying mole duo to fall into place.
3 / 11
Shining star
Dear Dahlia certainly lucked out with their Bibi campaign images, and this particular one casts her in all her ethereal glory. With a graphic liner drawn in iridescent studs, her skin all bouncy and mermaid-like, and those blush nude nails.
4 / 11
A moment for the lipstick
It’s all old Hollywood glamour in the music video for ‘Sweet Sorrow of Mother’. Think luscious waves falling over her shoulders, a shimmering set of lids and of course—that divine, crimson red lip.
5 / 11
Sugar rush
It’s maddeningly sweet. For her ‘Sugar Rush’ music video with Soyeon of (G)I-DLE and Choi Yena, the South Korean singer went full on kaleidoscopic and pulled out all the stops. Especially in kitschy hair clips and a glitter-crusted pout.
6 / 11
Up in chains
Bibi takes up a provocative role in the music video for ‘Bad Sad and Mad’. Tied up and forced into submission, the metal chains and locks on her face and neck are highly-referential, and paired to a set of high pigtails as well as a gaping mouth scar—all to achieve the deed of the song.
7 / 11
Unmasked
Coal-smeared peepers, the weight of her crown only grows heavier with this bejewelled headpiece she wears in ‘Bad Sad and Mad’.
8 / 11
Bruised and all
For the album art for her Life is a Bi… EP, Bibi leaned into a visceral feeling. As if to mimic a purple bruise freshly developing on her eyes and some sunken cheeks, it was a moment of strength for the South Korean artist who was putting the harms of abuse on full display.
9 / 11
Binyeo dreams
Back in ’22, she was every bit a stunner on the Coachella stage. A pair of chopsticks was used to replace the traditional binyeo or hair ornament style, which was finished with metallic specks adorning her eyes, to go with her armour-like garb.
10 / 11
Wet hair don't care
‘Bibi Vengeance’ brought the heat. If there’s an iconic image that’s been ingrained in all of our minds from that MV, it would be of Bibi dancing in the rain to a fearsome beat as the feminine anthem is brought to a close. The beauty notes fell in line to cast her a sensual glow, from her ravishing wet hair to her smoked peepers and those glistening gold talons.
11 / 11
Vengeance, enacted
Nothing like a tattoo reveal. In a bold move for the MV, Bibi put her full back on display to reveal a temporary back tattoo that screamed: revenge is a dish best served cold.
