Passionate author specializing in the vibrant world of hairstyling. With a knack for unraveling trends and sharing expert insights, Marissa crafts engaging content on the latest hairstyles, techniques, and industry innovations. Committed to empowering readers with knowledge, inspiration, and the confidence to embrace their unique style.
Read full bio Editorial guidelinesUpgrade your look with globally-inspired haircuts from the Korean Wave.
The whole world is smitten with Korean pop culture and tries to emulate the new-found idols. And haircuts are at the forefront of these stylish adaptations. Korean hairstyles for men masterfully fuse bold creativity with easy wearability. Browse our collection of hairstyles that tap into the popularity of the Korean Wave.
Thanks to globalization, modern hairstyles combine trends from all over the world. This style adopts the classic approach of the Ivy League hairstyle in its shape but adds a touch of ruffled styling for a richer texture.
Stubborn, stiff hair that sticks out can be tamed with a down perm. This salon treatment reduces hair volume and creates a more controlled look. A perming serum will restructure keratin bonds in your hair to minimize puffiness and create a sleeker appearance.
The classic wolf cut gets a new rendition on Korean soil. It’s still super textured and a little messy around the ends but with a pinch of polish. This wolf haircut features wispy layers with abundant crown volume. It slightly tapers down, grazing the collar.
Ethnic Asian hair is typically straight and thick. But what if you fancy a curl in your hair? Spin swallow perm is a trendy technique that employs alternating outward and inward “spins.” It results in a mixed curl direction for natural-looking curls.
The two-block haircut has become a staple in men’s hair fashion. It clearly contrasts a longer top with shorter sides and a back that are typically faded. The top can be styled with a middle or side part.
Texturizing is a popular technique across the globe thanks to its ability to create subtle layers and add dimension to a haircut. This technique can be applied to practically any hair type, except very thin, fine, or damaged hair.
For a subtle flowy effect on your hair, opt for a leaf perm. True to its name, it crafts leaf-shaped waves that gently curve outward and inward, mimicking the organic shape of a leaf. It’s often used to enhance the face-framing effect of a haircut.
Dark, one-tone strands might lack the desired dimension sometimes. Layering lays a solid foundation for a more textured look. But you can push the effect even further with gradient highlights and styling that enhances the choppy texture of the cut.
This parting style splits the hair into two sections that approximately amount to 60% and 40% of the hair mass. Unlike a middle part, it supports a subtle asymmetry. It makes the overall style more relaxed and less intentional.
This hairstyle charms with its airy, feather-light texture and a light blond shade. If you aim to achieve this look on straight dark hair, you might need several sittings to have your hair bleached, toned, and permed. It’s best to discuss the details with your hairstylist to avoid mishaps.
If you love the look of the traditional curtain hairstyle but think it’s too strict, you might like how a Korean variation feels. It’s flowy, with light volume and a less rigid part. The bangs typically reach slightly below the eyes and allow for a lot of movement.
Airy see-through bangs might require some changes in your hair care regimen. Since they sit directly on your forehead, they tend to get oily quickly and require more frequent washing. Avoid overloading your bangs with products to maintain their lightness.
A flow cut is universally loved for its face-framing capacity. Look how the flowy bangs envelop the forehead and gently skim the cheekbones. The Korean variety often features soft yet defined layers and a longer nape section for a fuller, fluffier finish.
“AS perm” stands for “airy and soft perm” and airy and soft it is! This type of perm focuses on crafting an outward curve that brings about a natural face-slimming effect. It is layer-friendly and can be air-dried or lightly styled for a polished finish.
This practical and elegant hairstyle is fantastic for professional environments. It balances a clean, formal appearance with modern Korean grooming. The sides and back are neatly tapered and the top is kept slightly longer and naturally textured.
For this type of perm, you will need a generous length on the top. A shadow perm is meant to create a curly voluminous fringe that casts a shadow on your face. This haircut is for guys who love to max out on volume and enviable texture.
The nerdy aesthetic was popularized by Korean celebrities and dramas. If you’re into effortless, intellectual, slightly quirky looks, try a nerd perm with relaxed, tousled waves.
The highlight of this two-block style is a smooth gradient cut. The layers are clear from the temples to the top of the head, and the side parting line is defined and natural.
This style was popularized by K-dramas and is favored by students and professionals for its sleek and tidy appeal. The back and sides of this haircut are neatly tapered and the top is left slightly longer (typically between 2 and 4 inches). It can be styled with or without a parting.
Thick, fluffy hair looks amazing in a two-block haircut! It grants both density and wispiness. The flyaways can be styled with a product for a more formal environment.
A lot of Korean hairstyles feature quite a long fringe that covers the forehead and sometimes reaches below the eyes. But you can go a different route and sweep the fringe back to open up your face.
The definitive element of this hairstyle is a comma-shaped curl in the fringe. It bends outward, framing the face. This shape is often achieved through the garma perm salon service.
The tapered elongated back and shaggy bangs that fall over the forehead add to the relaxed feel of this hairstyle. You can achieve a similar wet texture effect with a mousse or gel.
The listed haircuts are a statement of individuality and Korean cultural influence. Choosing one of these styles connects you to a global movement in men’s fashion.
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