Korean Dramas: The Telegraph explores some styles from recent k-dramas

Apart from their plotlines and world building, another reason why we love watching korean-dramas is because they have their fashion game strong!

SUDARSHANA GANGULY (T2 INTERN) |   20.06.22 : 

Work code:

Well work is certainly not stopping just because the heat is beating down our backs, so we might as well make it stylish. Many of the K-dramas that deal with office romance feature brilliant boardroom wardrobes — What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, Start-Up, Our Beloved Summer... well, the list is long. We chose this look of Kook Yeon-su (Kim Da-mi) from Our Beloved Summer for it is formal but at the same time comfy too, just what you need through a summer work day!

Running Errands:

Running errands through the day might be a mundane task but that doesn’t mean you have to dress boring. Keep it easy-breezy and casual — take a cue from Baek Yi-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk) who showed us the charm of a classic polo tee in Twenty-Five Twenty-One. We can’t have enough of Nam Joo-hyuk’s looks — those puppy eyes and boyish charm do make hearts flutter — and his casual wardrobe adds to the appeal in almost all his screen outings — from Start-Up to Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo to Twenty-Five Twenty-One.

Day Out at the Beach:

Chief Hong (Kim Seon-ho) stole our hearts last year as he traversed around the breezy town of Pohang in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. Always dressed casual, in keeping with his character, he charmed us with his boyish looks and carefully chosen wardrobe that comprised loose shirts layered over tees, casually tucked into his jeans or loose pants. This checkered shirt in soothing tones over a plain white tee is a summery look, and like Chief Hong, you too can rock it on your next trip to the beach.

Shopping Spree:

A heat wave or a heavy downpour, nothing can stop us from shopping when we have set our heart on it. But one needs to dress apt for the occasion and here too, comfort rules. A pair of shorts with a shirt or a tee is ideal, taking inspiration from Moon Cha-young (Ha Ji-won) from Chocolate. Hair tied up in a bun or a pony and barely-there make-up will do the trick.

Exhibition Visit:

Summers always see a host of interesting exhibitions around the city and it’s important to dress right while you’re visiting one. Take a leaf out of the ever-fashionable and gorgeous Ko Moon-yeong’s (Seo Ye-ji) wardrobe in It’s Okay to Not be Okay for an outfit. This white dress in a light fabric and easy silhouette is apt for a summer day out. Arguably one of the most stylish K-dramas, It’s Okay to Not be Okay sees Ko Moon-yeong make a statement with one fashionable outfit after another, with immaculate make-up to boot.

Brunch with the Girls:

Admitted, winter is the apt time to enjoy a brunch, but now that the pandemic is slightly receding, allowing us to socialise, we are not going to sit at home. If a brunch with the girlfriends is on your mind, you need an outfit that has a stylish silhouette in a comfortable fabric. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’s resident dentist — and Chief Hong’s lady love — Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-ah) sports a range of semi-formal outfits that look cute, stylish and super comfy. This mauve button-down dress is perfect for meeting your friends for a brunch or a day of shopping. Keep your hair and make-up neat and minimal like Yoon Hye-jin does throughout the series.

College Dailys:

College romance is one of the favourite K-drama tropes and along with the cute plotlines, what impresses us are the casual chic wardrobes that are always on trend. Now that life on campus is finally back to normal, it’s time for you to up your fashion game in college. There are inspirations aplenty in K-dramas, like Kang Mi-rae in My ID is Gangnam Beauty. You, too, can look chic and smart like her, in this look. Don’t forget the handy tote bag!