This hairstyle worn by K-drama actors is all the rage – here’s how to get hair like Song Kang, Cha Eun-woo

Song Kang in My Demon. Cha Eun-woo (who will be in Singapore on Apr 13) in A Good Day To Be A Dog. Rowoon in Destined With You. Lee Jun-ho in King The Land. What do these Korean actors have in common, besides being utterly swoon-worthy leading men in the latest and hottest K-dramas? Answer: It’s the hair.

If there’s one thing we’ve spotted while watching our favourite K-dramas recently, it’s that all the oppas seem to be sporting this floppy-fringed hairstyle that’s reminiscent of Aaron Kwok and Leonardo DiCaprio circa the 1990s, but in a more elevated way.

And when we say elevated, we mean literally – instead of falling limply over the ears and into the eyes like the center-parted long fringe of decades ago, this new do is poufy and voluminous at the roots, like it’s being held aloft by sheer big brain energy (and hairspray).

And if you think only A-list K-drama stars with their fancy celebrity hairstylists can achieve this look, think again. The Korean actor hair of the 2023/24 season may be within your reach. We unpack this trending mane and dispense tips on how to rock the look.

GET THE CORRECT HAIRCUT

First off, to get this look, the haircut is key. Forget the centre-parted one-length curtain look. It’s all about something called a two-block cut. That’s when there are two distinct and disconnected sections of hair – the side and back are trimmed short, while the hair on top and the fringe are left longer and thicker. This allows myriad styling options for the top mop, while the bottom half looks neat and clean. 

BE PREPARED TO STYLE UP A STORM

Next up, styling, styling, styling. A two-block cut without styling is just a mushroom bob with shaved sides. First, apply styling cream for texture and volume, using fingers to comb hair backwards. Then, part hair in a 6:4 ratio. Nope, not centre-parting – even Aaron Kwok doesn’t go there these days. The K-actors mostly have a precise off-centre parting. If you can, use a hairdryer to create volume by blowing hair upwards, for the hair on the top layer.

Lastly, and most importantly, use a curling iron to create something called a c-curl, so that the fringe curls inwards on both sides, like the letter “C”. This look has also been referred to as the “comma” hairstyle, for the way the bangs curl in like comma marks.

Seal the look with styling wax or clay, and hairspray. Remember to pull some hair away from the main ‘comma’ so that it isn’t two stiff commas on both sides, but ever-so-slightly messy commas with insouciant strands falling sexily just over the eyebrows, like hot demon Song Kang.

WILL THIS HAIRSTYLE WORK FOR YOU? 

According to Ted Kim, director of Korean salon Suchehwa by Ted, this look is quite versatile, and is seriously trending. He tells us there has been an increase in the number of male customers requesting for longer fringes and asking for the haircuts and styles of K-drama stars.

“We see the most pictures and requests for Cha Eun-woo’s hairstyle, and also Song Kang lately, due to his K-drama My Demon. Rowoon’s hairstyle is also quite popular," he said.

His advice for those looking to cop this mop? “In order to achieve this look, your fringe needs to be relatively long. Ideally, it should just touch your lashes, so that after styling, it will fall at the eyebrow area,” said Kim.

“An overall perm may be needed to up the volume, and it’s advisable to perm the fringe as well, or you’d need to style the fringe with a curling rod every day, which requires more time and effort. In order to have those K-celeb sideburns, you may need to do a down perm on the sideburns.”

Of course, don’t forget the styling cream before drying hair to add density and body, and wax or clay to style the hair and add texture, as well as a light hair spray to lock in the look so it slays all day. Yes, it’s a lot of work, but who said it was easy to be a K-drama hottie? 

Song Kang in My Demon

His latest K-drama is trending, and so is his look – a long fringe that falls at the eyebrows to accentuate his piercing gaze, and a slightly longer, almost mullet-like back to amp up the devilishly handsome charm.

Cha Eun-woo in A Good Day To Be A Dog 

If our Math teachers looked like this, we’d all be accountants now. How cute is Cha’s Math teacher character? Let us count the ways: Puppy dog eyes, floppy fringe, porcelain mien… 

Rowoon in Destined With You 

We were so distracted by his perfect hair that hits his perfect eyebrows in the exact perfect way that we almost didn’t mind his drama’s ridiculous premise. 

Lee Jun-ho in King The Land 

Another flawlessly-coiffed oppa with beautifully curled bangs to remind you that it’s more about the visuals, and less about the plot. 

Kang Tae-oh in Extraordinary Attorney Woo 

Extraordinarily devoted and square-jawed, with dreamily voluminous hair and bangs to boot. 

Lee Do-hyun in The Good Bad Mother 

The contrast between his character when he is a cold-hearted lawyer and when he suffers from amnesia and becomes a child is also played out in his hair – impeccably styled upwards and ruthlessly neat, as opposed to a messy bowl cut.