Trends to look out for: Kpop inspired hairstyles (2024)

There’s no denying the impact Kpop has had (and is having) on fashion. Some western celebrities are even incorporating K-fashion into their own aesthetic, and in the past few years it’s begun to make its mark on South African style. But more than the fashion, Kpop idols are known for their amazing hairstyles and colours. They tend to change up their look with each comeback, and fans are always keen to see what’s next.

So if you want to keep up with the Kpop trends and maybe hop onto the wagon, keep reading. We’ve put together a list of Kpop hairstyle and colour trends, spotted on some of the most iconic idols across the generations.

Kpop inspired hairstyles

Bowl haircut

Love it or hate it, this look has been worn by some of the Kpop greats and it seems like it’s here to stay. From Taemin’s infamous bowl cut back in Shinee’s debut days, to Atee*z Hongjoong’s blunt-cut bowl hairstyle, this look is not for the faint-hearted.

Wavy hair

Tamer than the first hairstyle, wavy hair is definitely a more approachable look. Blackpink’s Jisoo looked absolutely stunning in her wavy locks in the 2021 Vogue photoshoot, inspiring a resurgence of the Jelly Perm, also known as the “hippie perm”.

Keep your waves looking good all day long with a firm hold hairspray like the TRESemmé Firm Hold Hairspray. To avoid the hair becoming too stiff, you’d want to avoid a strong-hold product for this look.

Hime cut

The Hime cut is also known as the Princess cut, which is a direct translation from the original Japanese name. This look became popular a few years ago among Kpop idols, and is defined by short, blunt layers that frame the face. It’s been seen most recently on Rei from Ive during their latest comeback for Love Dive, and has also been worn by the absolute icon, HyunA.

Mullet

Another love-it-or-hate-it look, this hairstyle is definitely part of a trend that took the whole world by storm, not just the Kpop world. You could say that the idols’ idol G-Dragon kick-started this trend in the industry, and it’s since been seen on Seventeen’s The8, EXO’s Baekhyun and Jay B of Got7.

Chin-length hair

Chin-length to mid-length hair has always been a vibe, and it’s been getting increasingly popular recently. It’s a practical length for taking care of your hair, and can really make an idol stand out. From SuJu’s Heechul to Stray Kids’ Hyunjin, this trend can been throughout the Kpop generations.

Undercut

Okay, so this hairstyle is basically a staple in the Kpop industry. Pretty much every male idol has sported this haircut, and man does it look good! But even though it’s such a well-loved look, it’s a commitment. Growing it out while still looking cute can require a lot of finessing. Here’s a quick guide to help you along.

Beanie

The beanie is one of those accessories that Kpop idols use to hide their new hair colour for an upcoming comeback, but we still love it. Some idols also wear it as a normal part of their outfit and we’re here for it. After all, have you seen Monsta X’s Jooheoney in a little black beanie? Google it, you’ll understand our take.

Sleek ponytail

One of the most versatile hairstyles ever, it’s only natural that the sleek ponytail is a Kpop hairstyle trend. It gives off a fierce vibe and it keeps hair away from the face, so it’s probably a good one to perform in. Dara from 2NE1 is definitely our favourite with this look, with all her unique versions of the style like the Kimbap ponytail that still gets Blackjacks hyped.

Keep the your ponytail sleek and chic by keeping the flyaways smoothed down. Spritz a bit of strong hold hairspray like the TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray onto your hands and slick down the top of your hair.

Wispy bangs

Admittedly, this isn’t just a Kpop hairstyle trend. Often accompanied by soft layers, wispy bangs are more of a general K-fashion hairstyle trend. And it’s easy to see why: it’s a look that’s flattering to pretty much everyone. If you’re thinking of trying out this universally appealing look, we suggest looking up IU and Jihyo from TWICE for further inspiration.

Bucket hat

They aren’t typically seen on the stage, but bucket hats more commonly worn as part of Kpop idols’ everyday fashion. We’re talking streetwear, lives and even airport fashion. This particular trend is one that fits well in the SA fashion scene, which makes us love it even more.

Kpop inspired hairstyle colours

Blonde

A fave among Kpop idols, we sure at least one member of every group has had blonde hair. For some idols it has become a part of their look, but for others, it causes a stir among the fandom, like KARD’s BM who had matching blonde eyebrows, and BTS’ Jin who turned heads during their “Fire” era.

Soft pastels

If there are any Kpop inspired colours that get us excited at ATH HQ, it’s pastel shades. From pastel green to lilac, to our personal favourite — unicorn colours. One of our faves who pulled off this look is Yangyang from WayV/NCT.

If you’re thinking of getting soft pastel hair (or any of these shades), we have to give you a heads up: it will probably cause damage. This is because this kind of colour requires your hair to be bleached more than once, and then dyed to get your desired hue. Each of these chemical processes cause damage, but there are ways that you can keep your hair strong, healthy and beautiful. We recommend you use products that are designed to strengthen and repair your hair, like the Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo, Conditioner and Deep Treatment Mask.

Blue hair

Whether you opt for icy blue, royal blue or a deep dark blue-black, this is a great Kpop inspired hair colour to go for. It’s been seen on Aespa’s Karina and Bangchan in Stray Kids’ “Maniac” comeback, but our ultimate fave is the icy blue hue that was worn by Big Bang’s TOP in the industry-changing hit “Fantastic Baby” (and honestly, can you blame us?)

Money piece

The money piece is a hair colour trend that took the world by storm, and could also be spotted on many top Kpop idols. The most memorable for us was CL’s take on the look at the 2018 Winter Olympics, as well as Blackpink’s Jennie in their “How You Like That” era.

Orange hair

Orange hair is one of the most striking shades, and a must-try Kpop inspired hair colour to try out. GD’s soft take on this colour is largely held as his best hair colour — and that’s saying something! For an edgy look you can pair this shade with cropped hair or wear it long and fiery like ITZY’s Yeji.

Medium brown

Some of us like to keep it subtle, so this one is for you. Brown hair is another staple hair colour in the Kpop world. It’s a versatile shade that’s bound to suit any concept. Wear it long wavy, short or sleek, this shade looks good on everyone.

Half and half

The half and half hair colour combination is a high-risk, high-reward kind of Kpop look. But don’t hesitate on your colour choices. Go for red and silver like NCT’s Taeyong, black and green like Mamamoo’s Solar or Black and white like Peniel from BTOB. Peniel has alopecia, but when he does grow out his hair it’s always a look to take notice of.

Grey hair

Chic and cool-toned, grey would look amazing in winter, but it’s deceptively difficult to achieve. So if you’re thinking of getting this Kpop inspired hue, be prepared for many hours spent in the salon. For further inspo you could check out Girls’ Day Hyeri’s steel grey colour, or keep it subtle with a dark grey.

Grey looks its best with a healthy shine. Spritz a bit of the for a healthy shine, a bit of hold and plenty added moisture.