Hairstyles.
Hair Care.
Men.
Chic, on-trend, and most importantly, dripping with aegyo.
Some may say that short hair has been one of the dark horses of this year in terms of trends, but honestly, we kind of saw this coming. After years of super long extensions, over-the-top blowouts and waves and curls as far as the eye can see, it was certainly prime time for a palette refresh. We first flirted with the concept with some bangs, where we were able to play around with length without really sacrificing all that much. Then came that now-ubiquitous messy L.A. lob. Then came the ’90s redux—a wispy, staticky fringe, minimal layers—and then here we are, in blunt bob central. And you can believe that South Koreans, being the lightning-quick trend-adapters they are, were definitely one of the first on this retro-charming bob train.
Not to say that bobs are the only Korean short hairstyles making the hot circuit right now: Several iterations of cropped cuts have gone wildly viral, thanks in part to Asian celebrities, models and ulzzang (“best face”) influencers sporting the look. Scroll on to see if this trending look is one you’ll be bookmarking soon:
16 Trendy Korean Short Hairstyles to Try
1. ’90s Bob
This charmingly simple, low-key bob features ends that are just slightly layered for an undercurve.
2. Asymmetrical
A bob where one side is marginally longer than the other is ideal for those flattering, tilted-angle “selcas,” a.k.a. Korean selfies.
3. Blunt Bob
Another 1990s-issue style, this look features ends that are relatively straight and unlayered—giving rounder faces more heft at the jaw.
4. Bowlcut
Edgy, directional and unironically retro, a bowlcut is a gender-neutral hairstyle that puts the spotlight on healthy, shiny strands. A serum, like TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum, helps with that shiny gleam.
5. Rose Gold Lob
South Koreans are adept at experimenting with new hair colors and trends. A rose gold lob is one of those Korean short hairstyles you can sport that’s both feminine and still rather ahead of the curve.
6. Burgundy Lob
Another big shade for fall, burgundy and auburn are hot hues for South Korean markets—the warmth in the shades pop against yellow undertones. A color-safe system, like Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Color Assure Conditioner, helps keep your red vibrant and long-lasting.
7. Ombré Flip
Flipped hair gets an even flirtier twist with a caramel ombré at the ends.
8. One Length
A chic, elegant one-length bob is perfectly at home in more conservative or formal settings.
9. Shag
Alternatively, you can also certainly show your individuality with a bright blonde shag—a super hot look that hits two trends at once.
10. Concave Bob
Round baby-faced shapes can play up their aegyo (winsome cuteness) factor with a youthful—and still somewhat slimming—angled bob.
11. Stacked Bob
A stacked bob is similar to the concave bob, but with a tad bit more layering at the back. Add an extra something with a fluffy fringe.
12. Tucked Bob
Speaking of the ’90s, where would we be without the tucked bob? This look shows off those wispy, see-through bangs the best, while also keeping those ears free for this season’s trendy earrings.
13. Wavy Bob
A chin-length bob that has a bit of an air-dried curl at the ends is another trendy look that Korean short hairstyles have. Ed’s tip: Use a small round brush and a tiny dollop of mousse, like Dove Style+Care Curls Defining Mousse, to create that undercurl while blow-drying.
14. See-Through Bangs
When a Korean trend goes viral, it goes viral—so much so that you actually get a weird sense of FOMO if you don’t partake. The wispy, see-through bang, particularly when paired with Korean short hairstyles, is one of those super-fashionable looks that has overtaken the landscape in a major way.
15. Blown-Out Lob
Even lobbed lengths get the wispy-bang treatment, but this time in a more ladylike, grown-up rendition: paired with flirty, romantic curls.
16. Blunt Bangs
Youthful looks reign supreme in this region, and this schoolgirlish concept of blunt bangs paired with a bob is still quite popular with those way past middle-school age.
