South Korean eyewear retailer Gentle Monster will open two stores in the Philippines and Malaysia this year, accelerating its growth in Southeast Asia. 

The outlets will boost the brand’s international store network to 37 and its overall network to 70.  

Gentle Monster reportedly plans to launch its first store in the Philippines in collaboration with Hong Kong-based The Kho Group, which earlier this year took the Japanese coffee brand % Arabica into Vietnam. 

Gentle Monster has expanded its influence in China and Southeast Asia in recent years, with 20 outlets in 15 cities in China alone, aiming to position itself as a luxury eyewear brand in the market. 

Gentle Monster also opened its first flagship store in Thailand at Bangkok’s EmQuartier on August 25 and its products are now available in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, and the US.