5 Hairstyles Popularized By K-Pop Idols (2024)

KPOP STORIES

Did you know that most K-Pop idols' hairstyle as we know them now didn't used to look this way? Discover where those 5 popular K-Pop hairstyles come from.

Ash, Kpopmap Editor
4 min to read·Published : Nov 27, 2023·Updated : Dec 7, 2023

IU Official / @Rickkong_

';html += '

';html += ' Chat GPT';html += '

'+a[i]+'

';html += '

';html += '';html += '

';});$(wrap).html(html);});});

K-Pop idols are known for trying out unique hairstyles and hair colors, but what we see nowadays is not what it used to be. Around ten years ago, when K-Pop was slowly starting to rise as an emerging genre, the fashion and hairstyles given to K-Pop idols were drastically different from what we see in those days. Even though, the current trends in K-Pop came from those slightly questionable beginnings.

K-Pop, like every other music genre evolves with its time and fits into new standards and trends, so it's no surprise that there is such a big gap between K-Pop visuals of 2010 and 2023. But still, it is hard to believe how some hairstyles or haircuts that are among the most popular those days, originated from the early 2010 styles seen in K-Pop. Maybe you've seen some of those before but didn't make the link, or maybe you did, whatsoever, here are 5 K-Pop hairstyles that got popular thanks to older gen's K-Pop idols.

Two-Toned Hairstyle

Red Velvet Official / Atee*z Official

While this is a common hairstyle for K-Pop idols nowadays, this hairstyle was not always around. Indeed, the fever or two-toned hair started after Red Velvet's members were spotted with it back in the days, during their 'HAPPINESS' era. Back then, the hair stylists had fun with the dyed colors, using unnatural colors such as green or orange to dye K-Pop idols' hair. Nowadays, we can still see this hairstyle going around,some variations have even emerged such as the Oreo hair, but one thing is for sure, it looks more natural and cool as years go by.

Choppy Bangs Hairstyle

Thursday Island / @Rickkong_

This hairstyle is very hard to pull off and does not fit everyone, but as time passed, it became more and more popular among both male and female K-Pop idols. Probably the first time this hairstyle was done, it might have looked disturbing to some, as if the hair styler failed to cut a proper bang, but luckily, the idol who pulled that first simply looked stunning in it. The female idol who first tried out that hairstyle, and popularized it, is no other than our beloved f(x)'s Sulli. She left behind her a wonderful memory, that is being passed from one K-Pop generation to another, making us feel that she is always somehow with us.

Layered Hairstyle

MORE VISION

This hairstyle is not as outstanding as the previous ones, yet not everyone wears it. It is quite unique, and also very hard to style, but the idol who made it popular seemingly wasn't afraid of the challenge, in fact, she came back to it not long ago, showing just how much she likes that look. This one might come as a surprise, but it is no other than IU who made this layered mid-length hairstyle popular among K-Pop idols. It was quite a shock when she revealed her new short hair at the time, but as expected from the national star, she pulled it off perfectly.

Light Brown Diva Hairstyle

J.ESTINA RED

This almost seems like a natural hairstyle now, something we see on a daily basis on K-Pop idols, but, once again, it was not always the standard. Actually, one female K-Pop idol made it the standard after rocking that hairstyle herself. Jessica is the one idol who had this hairstyle first and made it popular among K-Pop idols and even citizens, to be honest. Not long after she did that haircut, a lot of people were seen dying their hair a light brown shade and cutting their bangs on the side, just like she did.

The Wolfcut Hairstyle

SNSD Official / Girls On Top Official

This hairstyle is getting popular again those days among teenagers and young adults, and it has evolved since its first appearance. Back in the day, this was a haircut mostly seen on men, so it was quite a code-breaking style when BoA was the one to come up on stage with such a haircut. Despite looking amazing, it was surprising to see her with such an unusual haircut back then. Maybe it is thanks to BoA that nowadays some female idols are able to get the same haircut as male idols, that was a first step towards gender equality!

Did you know that all those popular K-Pop hairstyles came from the early age of K-Pop? If you want to see more K-Pop idols' popular haircuts and hairstyles, make sure to check the articles below.

6 Best Female K-Pop Idols Who Look Great With Pony TailsKPOP STORIESNov 14, 2023

SEVENTEEN JeongHan's Beautiful Hair Changes, Highlights Since Debut To NowKPOP STORIESNov 8, 2023

5 Handsome Male K-Pop Idols Who Need To Bring Their Long Hair Era BackKPOP STORIESAug 3, 2023

Comments

6 Comments

newest

oldestmost voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

One thing that goes hand in hand with K-Pop are variety programs. With the help of these shows, both veterans and rookies have the opportunity to become better known to the public and earn a following outside of their music. Variety programs allow these artists to showcase their unique personalities, causing fans to fall deeper in love with their favorite stars.

However, one aspect that has remained a sensitive topic for both fans and idols is dating. Even under the premise of a dating program, these idols are put under a microscope and scrutinized over anything romantic. With the boon of dating shows in the past few years and the participation of idols, perception seems to be changing.

Idols being on a dating show isn't some foreign concept, nor was it born overnight. It's gone through its fair share of changes, culminating in both success and pushback from numerous fanbases.

The First Idol Dating Programs

MBC

One of the first dating reality shows that included K-Pop idols is the famous "We Got Married". Making its premiere in spring of 2008, it paired various celebrities and had them act as married couples. Some famous idol pairings include SHINee's TaeMin and Son NaEun, BTOB's Yook SungJae and Red Velvet's Joy, along with CNBLUE's Jung YongHwa and Girls' Generation's SeoHyun.

While it was well known by audiences and participants that this was a fake relationship, many became immersed into every single moment, as if they were getting a sneak peak of what these stars would be like if they were to actually date. The pairings produced such incredible chemistry, earning nicknames like the 'Goguma Couple' (YongHwa and SeoHyun) or the 'Bbyu Couple' (SungJae and Joy).

tvN

Another dating program with idols that surfaced in 2012 is tvN's "The Romantic and Idol". For its first season, it featured second and third generation idols in JiHyun (former 4Minute), AOA's HyeJeong, Jei (former FIESTAR), SeungAh (former Rainbow), Park HyungSik (ZE:A), GOT7's Jay B, 2PM's Jun.K, and MBLAQ's Mir. The group traveled to Jeju Island where they would stay for 4 days and 3 nights, get to know each other, and hopefully walk away being chosen at the end.

Then there's "SHINee's YunHaNam", featuring the SHINee members themselves. Through the show they proceeded to go on dates with older women, showcasing their charm as fresh-faced rookies in the scene. These programs were extremely fun and romantic, but also produced countless moments that made your entire body curl upwards in secondhand embarrassment.

Perception Of Idols Dating

To become an idol, one must dedicate countless hours of their life to honing their craft. They must reach a level of astounding dancing prowess, vocal stability, and outward charm to captivate the masses and become a chart-topping artist within the K-Pop industry. Of the many things that they can and cannot do, it's to date. This is due to the image of an idol and the fan culture within the industry.

However, with the modern globalization of K-Pop, sentiments toward idols dating have slowly started to change. It's becoming more and more evident that K-Pop stars are more than the vocal and dancing geniuses that regularly grace our screen. They're human just like everyone else, with fans slowly accepting the fact that these celebrities can go around, date, and find love too.

Slowly, but surely, idols have been starting to go out on a limb and have become participants in traditional dating programs, not under the premise of a simple variety program. Rather, they become vocal and sincere in their search for love. Some names include EuiJin (former A.CIAN & UNB) and soloist Sori who appeared on different seasons of Mnet's "Somebody", as well as DaHye (former BESTie) in the most recent "Transit Love 3".

While it was surprising to see K-Pop idols participate in these dating programs and actively look for a relationship, it portrays their human desire to be loved by someone else, outside of their beloved fans.

The Appearance Of A New Type Of Dating Reality

YG Entertainment

The beginning of March marked the start of a brand new dating reality program: TREASURE's "Shining SOLO". Where the idol dating programs of the past and ones idols participated in actually focused solely on romance, the series with TREASURE takes a different approach. The members go into the program with the intent of showcasing their various charms and capturing the hearts of the young women they meet. However, it ends not in a relationship, but one member being dubbed as "Mr. TREASURE", erring more on the side of a competition show.

It takes various components from traditional dating programs, while adding on its own spin to create a unique, never-before-seen experience for both the members and audiences watching at home. Prior to its premiere, however, it's worth noting that "Shining SOLO" did not receive a favorable response from netizens.

Theqoo Screenshot

Upon its announcement, many were left scratching their heads with numerous responses asking if it's real or if anyone would dare to watch it. Even the international K-Pop community who is at times more open were having second thoughts on whether "Shining SOLO" should be something they watch or skip due to the pure nature of dating programs.

However, all the criticism aside, the idol "dating" show became a viral hit, with its first episode being its most watched at 7.7 million views on YouTube (as of April 9, 2024). The sincerity of the TREASURE members, their chemistry with the female participants, and their genuine reactions played a huge part in the program's worldwide success.

TREASURE's YouTube Screenshot

Even non-fans have been actively tuning in, falling for TREASURE's various charms. This could very well mark a new era of dating programs for idols. If geared under this lens, there's a fair chance that other groups could follow this model. In turn, they could capture the heart of netizens with their romantic tendencies. However, there's also the possibility that this may become a one-and-done type of occurrence. "Shining SOLO" puts idols in a new light, offering TREASURE the chance to openly experience what it's like to date, while still maintaining their idol image.

YG Entertainment

Whether or not more groups/companies will create their own "dating" program remains to be seen. However, after the success of "Shining SOLO", it can be a program millions look forward to.

What are your thoughts on K-Pop idols being on dating programs? Do you think they should follow the model of "Shining SOLO"?