JUNTAE KIM Reworks ASICS Into a Floral “Dressneaker”

ASICS has built one of the strongest collaboration catalogs in footwear by letting partners reshape its running archive through color, material, and story. With the upcoming JUNTAE KIM x ASICS GEL-KINETIC FR, the South Korean designer appears to push things a step further, introducing a hybrid model that blurs the line between technical runner and dress shoe.

Described by JUNTAE KIM as a “Dressneaker,” the ASICS GEL-KINETIC FR carries the bones of a performance-minded sneaker, but its upper language leans far more tailored. Paneling across the forefoot and midfoot gives the shoe a structured, almost formal feel, while ASICS’ familiar Tiger Stripes and visible GEL cushioning keep it grounded in the brand’s sportstyle world.

The standout detail is the detachable floral hardware fixed over the laces. It brings JUNTAE KIM’s romantic design language into focus, giving the shoe a softer, more ornamental edge while still allowing the wearer to strip things back for a cleaner look. Across the previewed pairs, colorways include deep purple, burgundy, and black/silver executions, each carrying a slightly different mood.

It is a smart move from ASICS, especially at a time when hybrid footwear continues to pull from both formalwear and running culture. The JUNTAE KIM x ASICS GEL-KINETIC FR does not feel like a simple colorway exercise. It feels more like a true designer-led remix.

Release details for the JUNTAE KIM x ASICS GEL-KINETIC FR have not yet been confirmed, but the collaboration is expected to arrive in the latter half of the year.