To the Global audience, the earliest’ large-scale introduction to Korean Culture was in 2012, when South Korean Singer Psy’s banger pop song ‘Gangnam Style’ had us all grooving, making it the most viewed video for five consecutive years. Since then, we’ve seen the culture be widely recognized and appreciated. Today, we’re all riding high on the Korean wave, aka the ‘Hallyu.’
We love their skin-care products for being made with clean ingredients, their spicy instant ramen variants that boost our endorphin and dopamine levels, the Music to fully immerse in, and K-dramas to appreciate for their patient storytelling.
Apart from appreciating the storyline and the fantastic characters, we’ve only very recently come to appreciate K-Style, especially those exclusive to their shows.
We all know street-style Korean fashion for being experimental and playful, but in K-drama, styling is so much more than that. Styling in these shows goes beyond describing the characteristics of the Persona in picture to further mimic the emotions that set the tone for the proceeding scenes.
If you’ve always loved the idea of getting into the field of styling or are just a fashion Junkie who wants to understand how styling can make or break a reel character’s on-screen portrayal, we have just the right recommendations for you!
- It’s Okay to Not be Okay – Ko Moon Yeong
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is a healing yet unusual romance that tells the story of a troubled health worker, Moon Gang Tae (Kim Soo Hyun) at a psychiatric hospital, whose fate becomes intertwined with a children’s writer Ko Moon Yeong (Seo Ye Ji) with Antisocial Personality Disorder as they fall in love. The story wraps itself with Moon Sang Tae(Oh Jung Se), Gang Tae’s older Autistic Brother.
If any K-drama has been able to make fashion lovers in complete awe of the outfits worn in a show, it will have to be this one that tops the list. Costume Director of It’s Okay to Not be Okay, Jo Sang Gyeong compliments the psychology and background of the characters well into their outfits. Specifically, for Ko Moon Yeong’s character, she is often seen in bold, flashy and eccentric outfits to contradict her outfits from her vulnerable side. She does so to use it as a coping mechanism. Be it a classy blazer black dress, a dramatic pink gown or even a comfy yet classy white floral dress. She dons in a different designer outfit, in every scene, not repeating outfits even once. You can watch this show on Netflix.
- Crash Landing On You – Yoon Se-Ri & Seo Dan
One day, Yoon Se-ri(Son Ye-Jin), a South Korean heiress to a giant company, crash lands after a paragliding accident. She meets a North Korean officer Ri Jung-hyeok (Hyun-Bin), who values principle above all and does not believe in compromising. He tries to protect her and keep her safe, and in the process falls in love.
Both female leads of the show are a treat for your eyes. The strong characters show their personalities through their stunning and truly iconic looks. Seri, shows a wide range of styles, from business chic in Seoul to chic and warm cardigan outfits in the North Korean Village. Seo Dan on the other hand, is a wealthy and modern North Korean, who has impeccable and smart looks due to being well-traveled. She uses prints. Big Ribbons as statement pieces, as well as big trench coats showing off her sophisticated and elegant side. You can also watch this show on Netflix, also did you know the main leads of this K-Drama are married in real life?
- Goblin – Kim Shin
This fantasy love story revolves around a modern-day Goblin (Gong Yoo), who needs to break his cursed immortal life, and in order to do so he requires a human bride (Kim Go Eun) with a tragic past. She happens to be the only one who can see and remove the invisible sword in his chest. As the story progresses, more characters are introduced and they realize they are not just strangers who met by chance, but related by fate and past lives.
The Goblin himself, Kim Shin plays a wealthy man. And since the majority of the show revolves around the winter, the style mostly consists of Trench Coats, Cardigans, Knitted Sweaters, Jumpers, Cashmere, and more. From Burberry to Armani, Lanvin, and Acne Studios, his color palette mostly covers shades of grays, browns, white, and other muted colors representing his wealth, sense of wisdom, and his supernatural abilities. You can watch this on Viki.
- Vincenzo – Hong Cha Young
Vincenzo revolves around an Italian Consiliere (who Acts as an advisor for Mafia Families) by the same name who, in search of Gold, goes back to his motherland, Korea. His intentions, however, take a turn and his enemies change as he takes on the fight against the evil conglomerate of Babel with Hong Cha Young, a lawyer who does anything to get what she wants.
For the best corporate or work style inspo, you have to check this show out. This style is a lot of well-tailored suits and monochromatic, smart, and modest outfits. Hong Cha Young opts for the classic blazer and pants look most of the time, but doesn’t shy away from adding a little color to her looks. She gives her suits more femininity and style, by adding simple yet classy statement accessories and bags to finish her looks. You can watch this show on Netflix.
- Our Beloved Summer – Choi Woong
Choi Woong and Kook Yeon Su, a below-average student and a smart student respectively were paired up during their high school days in a documentary. Ten years later, their documentary started to go viral again, which led the makers to film a follow-up documentary. After initial hesitation, mostly due to their obvious dislike for each other, they finally agree. With this follows a journey that deals with love and heartbreak, a little bit more of the latter for some.
Choi Woong is a free-spirited and naive man. His style is very relaxed and youthful. His wish for living a peaceful and calm life in the future is evident through the summery blues, a classic white tee, loose fitted pants with oversized button-ups, that act like a jacket. Along with this, he is also seen in plaid shirts and corduroys. These patterns and styles embrace his laid-back and childlike personality, which makes viewers love him even more. You can watch this show on Netflix.
