Breaking Down the Differences: Air Jordan 3 ‘Seoul’ 2025 vs 2018

In 2018, Jordan Brand dropped one of the most culturally dialled-in collaborations in its catalogue – the Air Jordan 3 ‘Seoul’. Created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1988 Seoul Olympics and Michael Jordan’s iconic Slam Dunk Contest victory that same year, the sneaker wasn’t just a tribute – it was a time capsule. Drenched in symbolism and released exclusively in South Korea, the ‘Seoul’ AJ3 became an instant grail.

Now, in 2025, the Jumpman is revisiting the concept with the Air Jordan 3 ‘Seoul 2.0’. The new edition first made a stealthy appearance when BTS star and K-pop heavyweight J-Hope rocked a pair courtside at a Lakers game. While the DNA remains intact, this new rendition leans deeper into Korean tradition, elevating the original story with premium materials and heritage-inspired detailing. Let’s dive in and break down the differences, stitch by stitch.

Where East Meets Heat: Origins and Concept

Cooked up in Nike’s Innovation Kitchen by Tinker Hatfield and then–Nike Korea creative director Dan Sunwoo, the ‘Seoul’ Air Jordan 3 was tightly focused in its concept: a tribute to the 1988 Seoul Olympics, a nod to Jordan’s breakout year, and a love letter to Korean culture.

The 2018 edition featured Korea’s Taegukgi (national flag) on the tongue, with ‘서울’ ('Seoul') stitched on the left inner tongue and the 1988 Olympic motto, ‘화합과 전진’ ('Harmony and Progress'), on the right.

What truly amplified the mystique of the Seoul AJ3 was its exclusivity. Released only in South Korea and reportedly limited to around 700-800 pairs, it was available exclusively through Nike Korea and select regional partners. With no global allocation, the shoe instantly earned grail status – selling out within hours and quickly commanding four-figure prices on the resale market.

The 2025 sequel retains the Taegukgi-inspired colour blocking and tribute elements but introduces fresh details. Most notably, the inner tongues now feature new Korean inscriptions: ‘꿈’ ('Dream') on the left and ‘정’ ('Affection') on the right – expanding the cultural narrative from Olympic homage to universal themes of hope and emotional connection.

It’s Seoul In the Details: Colours and Materials

The original AJ3 Seoul leaned heavily on the iconic ‘White/Cement’ colourway that made the Jordan 3 famous. It swapped out traditional red accents for bold blue and red hits on the inner lining – representing the yin-yang circle of the Korean flag. Premium tumbled leather dominated the upper, while the grey elephant print maintained its rightful place on the heel and toe. It was subtle, crisp, and classy.

The sequel stays true to the original concept but dials up the details with a fresh perspective rooted in Korean heritage. The Taegukgi flag still features prominently – now stitched onto the left tongue, with the Jumpman logo shifting to the right. One of the standout updates is the quilted royal blue ankle collar, inspired by traditional Korean clothing (hanbok), and constructed from stitched cotton for both cultural depth and a luxe finish.

The red and blue lining remains part of the formula, now elevated with a satin sockliner that delivers a velvety-soft feel. Even the midsole gets a vintage-style glow-up, yellowed for that aged patina sneakerheads can’t resist.

Material-wise, things get extra tactile. Hairy suede overlays are incorporated into the traditional elephant print texture, giving the sneaker a raw, nostalgic edge. The puffed-up collar also doesn’t just look plush – it boosts comfort with added padding, while the overall build retains the unmistakable Jordan 3 DNA.

Resale Royalty: Rarity

With a super-limited Korea-only release, resale prices for the original model skyrocketed shortly after drop. Today, pairs can easily fetch between $1300 to $2000, depending on size and condition. While not as rare as its predecessor, the ‘Seoul 2.0’ will still be in serious demand. Limited drop numbers and strong storytelling have ensured it will no doubt hold its own in the resale world.

Whether you were lucky enough to snag the OG or you’re eyeing the sequel, one thing’s clear – when East meets Heat, the result is timeless.

From Seoul to Your Sole: Where to Buy

Global Release Date

The Air Jordan 3 ‘Seoul 2.0’ will see a wider global release on May 15, 2025, via Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers. The RRP is set at $200.

Early Access Drops

New York City (Sesinko): NYC boutique Sesinko is offering an exclusive early drop on Saturday, May 10 as part of their Sesinko Games Tournament. Fans can enter for a chance to purchase by engaging with their Instagram trivia series, which kicks off today.

Seoul, South Korea (Kasina): Korean retailer Kasina will follow up with a special event and local launch on Sunday, May 11, giving Seoul-based sneakerheads a first crack at the 2.0s before the global release.