Kicks Lounge teamed up with Jordan Brand for the hottest sneaker drop of the year

Jael Rucker

Kicks Lounge teamed up with Jordan Brand for the hottest sneaker drop of the year image

Kicks Lounge/Getty Images

Kicks Lounge and Jordan Brand teamed up for the hottest sneaker drop of the year.

The two brands recently came together for a huge party in Akron, Ohio that blended Korean heritage, street culture and the highly anticipated release of the limited-edition Air Jordan 3 "Seoul 2.0." Curated by Korean-American designer and Kicks Lounge founder Thomas Kim, "Seoul, Soul, Sole" was a bold and deeply personal expression of identity, creativity, and sneaker culture. A proud Akron native, Kim was hand-selected as a Jordan Brand partner to launch the coveted sneaker.

His response? To create Seoul, Soul, Sole—a full-sensory gallery experience rooted in legacy and innovation. Kicks Lounge transformed a reimagined warehouse into a vibrant cultural playground, showcasing Korean aesthetics, sneaker storytelling, and interactive installations. The event gave sneakerheads and culture lovers a chance to purchase the Air Jordan 3 "Seoul 2.0" before it hit broader release, making it one of the most buzzed-about drops of the season.

MORE: The Air Jordan 3 'Seoul 2.0' has officially arrived

The guest list featured celebrities and pro athletes from across the country, including Jerome Baker (NFL, Cleveland Browns), Justin Layne (NFL, Steelers), Mohamed Sanu (NFL, Falcons), Briannagh D (Disney/ABC actress and recording artist) and Robert Fomby (YouTube & college basketball).

"This wasn’t just a sneaker drop—it’s a movement," said Kim in a statement. "Seoul, Soul, Sole" bridges my Korean roots with the Akron community. It’s about honoring legacy, embracing culture, and showing how far style can travel when it’s built on something real." 

The Air Jordan 3 "Seoul" 2.0 dropped on May 15.

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Jael Rucker

Jael Rucker has worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.