Hongdae is the birthplace for much of the youth culture in Seoul, South Korea. Being the home to endless hip-hop clubs and streetwear shops, it is where the latest trends can be seen. Having visited myself in 2016, it is safe to say that the culture that exists within Hongdae is indeed heavily influenced by music and fashion.

Some of the most iconic trends that rocked the minds of the youth were seen on hip-hop shows in South Korea. High School Rapper was one of them with Young B sporting his trademark dangling-cross earrings. Having worn it in every episode of the reality show, it was hard to ignore his unique fashion choices while seeing him improve in his craft. Over time, the association with the cross earrings and the eventual final winner of the show became inseparable.

During Show Me The Money 6, rapper Woo polished the growing trend of beanies and mullets. By wearing his beanie shallow enough to cover his eyebrows, it added to his natural, ominous and grim rap character. With most Korean males sporting similar variants of two block bowl cuts, a new medium to long hairstyle was timely appropriate for the growing fashion forward country. Along with the combination of his mullet, it was a different take on vintage and skate culture that South Korea’s youth grew to love.

written by Ryan Xu

featured photo courtesy of Patrick (@astrobound on unsplash)