In Korean dramas and movies, stylish clothes are more than just accessories; they have personalities of their own. Characters’ attire and hairstyles throughout the entire story reflect even the smallest aspects of their personality. You may recall Lee Min-well-known ho’s fur coat and curly hair from the 2009 drama Boys of Flowers, which inspired the Hallyu wave and launched a number of fashion trends.
These fashion statements, including the hair, makeup, cosmetics, and clothing trends supported by K-drama actors and K-Pop celebrities, are not merely incidental; rather, they represent an essential component of the Hallyu wave. Since the country’s entertainment, lifestyle, and beauty items make up its soft power, the wave has been ferociously crashing into foreign shores over the past ten years. Via a variety of channels, an astonishing fan following is exposed to the fashion and makeup trends of K-drama actors and K-Pop celebrities.
There is plenty of fashion inspiration available thanks to the numerous K-drama series that are now available on OTT platforms and the actors’ frequent social media postings. Examples include Park Min-cardigans young’s from What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, Jeo Yeon-Vincenzo been’s pantsuit, and the retro athleisure suits from Squid Game. There are several possibilities to try out, like floral skirts, stylish headwear, tweed, and tartan. Whether you like floral prints or a dash of nostalgia in your clothing, there is a stylish K-drama character to take fashion cues from. Here are a handful that we just adore.
This drama revolves around the lives of two women who marry into a wealthy family in search of true happiness, but must navigate a web of secrets and lies along the way. Jung Seo-hyun, an art gallery director, exudes elegance in her attire, donning metal-fringe jackets, silk shirts, sleek blazers, and dresses completing her sophisticated look.
Simple, understated, yet chic perfectly describe Seo Dalmi from Start Up, who aspires to be Korea’s own Steve Jobs. This drama showcases a blend of business casual accompanied by an impressive collection of designer bags. You’ll find an abundance of elegant linen dresses, printed hoodies and knit cardigans.
Private Lives tells the story of con artists who unravel a dark scheme orchestrated by a greedy corporation. Joo-eun, one of the swindlers, constantly changes her identity, allowing for a diverse range of outfit choices. Her wardrobe includes casual shirt and sneaker looks, as well as sharp button-downs and pencil skirts paired with pastel bows and pretty pumps. Lace dresses, puffy sleeves, leather jackets, and long coats are also on display.
Crash Landing On You introduced most people to K-dramas by telling the story of Yoon Se-ri, an heiress who “crash lands” into North Korea as a result of a paragliding mishap. She has worn a lot of designer clothing given her social standing and position as the CEO of a fashion company, replete with bright colours, unique button-down shirts and gigantic sunglasses. Her clothing also features a lot of floral motifs and old lace patterns. Sharp coats and blazers from luxury brands characterise her business attire.
Her Private Life is a charming romantic comedy about an art curator named Sung Deok-mi who secretly enjoys K-pop, and it’s packed with the most stunning, stylish fashion moments. Her feminine power suits with tightened waistlines, elongated shoulders, and relaxed trousers stand out the most in this show. While she does her day job, these enable her to stand out without being overly flamboyant. In addition to her preferred monochrome black and white colours, she occasionally plays around with pastels and sporadic bright colours like magenta. In addition, she adds dresses and shirts with flares to the mix.
The plot of Vincenzo centres on an Italian consigliere who returns to his own country and becomes embroiled in a conflict with a dishonest organisation. Yet Hong Cha-young, a spunky lawyer, steals the show with her offbeat remarks and immaculate sense of style. She wears power suits that range from bright hues to delicate pastels, accessorising each with dainty jewellery. She takes power dressing to a whole new level.
If you have a penchant for the dramatic, you’ll absolutely relish the fashion moments presented by Jang Man-wol, the manager of a haunted and eerie hotel. It has been reported that the extravagant wardrobe for this captivating drama costs an astonishing 10 million won per episode. This is made apparent by the array of prestigious brands she adorns.. The combination of high collars and voluminous sleeves creates a timeless and elegant appearance, enhanced further by vintage brooches, hair slides, silky gloves, and floppy hats. In addition, there are double-breasted trenches, sharp blazers boasting bold prints, and floral patterns that are truly covetable.
In a delightful romance about a city-loving dentist who relocates to a small town to open her practice, the fashion in this drama reflects Hye-jin’s sense of displacement throughout the story. Her style is characterized by elegance, whether it’s a cozy at-home look or an extravagant event outfit. She adorns cable knit vests, oversized graphic t-shirts, dresses with puffed sleeves, slim trousers, white button-downs, collarless cropped jackets, and long skirts. Hye-jin often adds a splash of color to her monochromatic black and white ensembles through her choice of bag or scarf. Pinks and neutrals dominate her wardrobe, but she isn’t afraid to incorporate vibrant greens and reds.