There was a time in my life when I visited the Korean peninsula, where I met a group of people who had hairstyles that, at first glance, looked so ordinary until I noticed the sharp distinction between closely cropped sides and long locks falling to their backs.
It was exactly a Korean mullet haircut, which drew me straight back to my early childhood memories of the 80s mullet craze. Little did I know, it had made a comeback not only in Korea but also globally, thanks to K-pop and other Korean cultural phenomena.
In this article, I will dive deep into the essence of K-mullet and highlight some glamour’s hairstyles that I saw there.
The rise of K-Mullet:
In years past, the Korean Mullets have evolved into a kind of global phenomenon, outgrowing their retro origins to become icons of personality and self-actualization.
The Korean mullet has become a signature look for many Korean men, including K-pop idols such as Park Bo-gum and Lee Jong-suk.
Korean mullet, sometimes referred to as “K-mullet,” takes on various forms, each with its own unique touch. Wolf cut is a type of modernized mullet that consists of shaggy layers and a blunt fringe, which give off an edgy tomboy look.
Middle part mullet which was popularized by K-pop idols like Stray Kids’ Hyunjin, is adding some classiness to the traditional style.
Korean mullet haircuts, along with other regional haircuts, are part of one family called Asian mullet haircut.
Famous Korean mullet haircuts:
Following are some of the most famous Korean mullet hairstyles.
K-pop Korean Mullet:
No talk of the Korean mullet haircut can be complete without bringing in its strong relation to the K-pop industry. The hairstyle has been popularized by K-pop idols such as Jimin from BTS and Hyunjin from Stray Kids, who have played a pivotal role in making it a norm in Korean pop culture.
The K-pop mullet often features bold hues, complex layers, and distinctive fabrics that mirror its vibrant genre of music.
Undercut Korean Mullet:
An undercut mullet evolves this classic style into something more modern by including a very short or shaved segment at the back of your head.
This varies greatly with the long hair at the front and top, so that it appears bold and highly contrasting, which is just right for those individuals who are aiming to create an impression.
A perfect example is how K-pop idols like Sehun from EXO rocked this style while actors like Park Bo-gum wore it.
Curly Korean Mullet:
The curly Korean mullet allows them to embrace their texture without being out of touch for those with naturally curly or coily hair.
This hairstyle has full, well-defined curls covering the top and upper back, with shorter sides that are tapered. It is an effortless look seen through BTS’s J-Hope, among other stars.
Messy Korean Mullet:
A messy Korean mullet haircut, as its name suggests, is a way to show that you want to go for a carefree, live-in look. On top of being done in a less sleek fashion with disheveled layers all over the head and back side, it seems perfectly unbalanced.
Therefore, it is adaptable, changing with styles such as rugged refinement favored by actors like Park Seo-joon, who appear both rugged and refined.
Sleek Straight Korean Mullet:
If you have straight hair, then you can consider going for a sleek straight Korean mullet, which offers something polished yet structured.
In this type, the top and back have a neat and glossy look, while the sides are shorter with a taper at their ends.
It has a grown-up feel about it, which is why so many people prefer wearing it to formal functions or even when they are on the red carpet, such as Lee Min-ho.
Korean Mullet Wolf Cut:
The wolf-cut mullet is a combination of the aggressive wolf and the rebellious mullet. Its texture and shaggy layers on top and at the back, coupled with small sides, create an androgynous look. ATEEZ’s Hongjoong loves this style because it is bold, edgy, confident, and individual.
Korean Mullet Middle Part:
The middle part mullet is a more refined take on the classic mullet. When you divide longer hair in the middle, it frames and gives a symmetrical, polished look to your face. Some K-drama actors, like Lee Jong-suk, are fond of looking smart one time and being casual or laid-back another time.
Korean Mullet Fade:
The Korean mullet fade consists of short sides that integrate well with long backs, making a sharp, closed-cut appearance. Usually, this type involves a high or mid-fade, meaning that hair gradually decreases in length as we move from the temples to the neck.
This version is a low-maintenance yet stylish contemporary interpretation of mullets, such as those seen on Heeseung from Enhypen.
Korean Mullet Perm:
For those who want to make their hair appear fuller, a textured, voluminous, or loose, wavy Korean mullet perm is your answer.
Sometimes these curls can be tightly coiled, as so many fans choose for their idols. In Ateez’s Mingi case, this version is a playful hairstyle, which means they want to embrace their natural tresses.
Korean Mullet Short:
Unlike its traditional counterpart, which has a longer back length, the Korean mullet short has chosen a subtle approach to this trendiness.
Typically, these cuts come in shorter lengths at the back while having tapered sides, thereby creating neat, simple looks that do not require much maintenance for people who may want just a taste of what real mullet fashion represents.
How to cut a Korean mullet haircut?
The world has gone crazy about the Korean Mullet—a touch of old-fashioned with a contemporary feel. Therefore, in order for you to achieve this sought-after look, one must be able to come up with an accurate cutting technique that will capture everything about this style.
In order for you to get that perfect Korean mullet haircut, have a look at this step-by-step guide:
Establishing the Baseline Section:
To begin with, make horizontal parting from ear-to-ear, dividing hair into top-to-bottom sections so we can see how much shorter or longer your front part should be than your back parts.
Cutting Front and Top Sections:
The objective here is to achieve a short or even shaven length for the front and top sections, gradually tapering downwards towards the baseline parting line. Then use scissors or clippers to cut various layers, creating a wavy finish around the face area, which adds dimension.
Shaping Back Section:
Now let’s reveal the magic of these mullets! However, leave more hair, especially at the backside section, thus progressively adding its length, going downwards towards the nape area. At last, bring strategic layers plus texturizing techniques, producing a voluminous, untidy effect sliding over your spine.
Blending Transitions:
When trimming such a hairstyle as a Korean mullet, you ought to pay close attention while combining two different levels—short and long ones. Feather together smooth transitions between top and bottom parts, eliminating any obvious lines or unevenness in haircuts.
Customizing with Shaping and Detailing:
Once the basic structural form is there, one can go ahead and refine it. One can decide to add extra details such as undercut, fade, or even detailed layers so as to personalize it while increasing its edginess.
Styling with texture:
Styling is necessary if you want to get that tousled, lived-in look of a Korean mullet haircut. Use texturizing products like pomades, waxes, or salt sprays, then run your fingers through your hair or set it on a diffuser blow dryer for this natural movement and volume in the longer back section.
Final thoughts:
So to sum things up, this article shows how big the Korean mullet haircut has become over time since we see Koreans rocking them anywhere we go globally today.
Starting from its humble vintage beginnings to today’s cutting-edge versions, this hairstyle represents enduringness as well as adaptability based on changing trends.
Revive the Korean mullet movement with me and become a part of it by sharing this piece of information with your loved one’s. See you in the next article!
Hello, I’m Babar Mughal, a passionate hair stylist with a flair for creativity. With my website, I aim to share the latest trends, tips, and techniques in hairstyling. My goal is to inspire and help individuals express their unique style through their hair. Join me on this journey to explore the world of hair fashion.
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