The Hottest Korean Hair Trends to Try in 2025, Including Ones Spotted on Stars Like Nana, Jennie, and Hanni

As we move into 2025, Korean haircare and styling are expected to evolve with both innovation and a touch of tradition, setting the stage for global trends.

The LEEKAJA CREA Team KOREA, a leading authority in the Korean hair industry, shared their insights on the most exciting trends, innovations, and challenges shaping the haircare landscape.

Below, we explore the trends that are poised to dominate, guided by the wisdom of the LEEKAJA CREA team.

Korean Hair Trends 2025: Short Bob

One of the biggest styles forecasted for 2025 is the short bob with an uneven texture.

“It looks as if it has been cut with a sickle,” the team explains, featuring crooked bangs to maximise youthful charm. This cut, similar to a hush cut, is a favourite among women in their 20s and 30s. It pairs well with fashion trends like Y2K and geek chic.

As Seen On…

Known for her sharp features and bold fashion choices, Korean singer, actress, and model Nana rocks a haircut that combines edgy and chic effortlessly. Her version of the choppy bob features uneven, textured layers that add movement and volume, giving it that carefree vibe.

NewJeans’ Hanni turned heads when she revealed her short bob in the music video for Bubblegum. With sleek, straight-edged lines and a layered, wispy texture, her hairstyle cleverly blends the previously popular tassel cut with the hush cut, resulting in a fresh and playful look.

How to Achieve It

Best for: Those with straight hair or a shorter face. For curly hair, a straightening treatment may be required to keep the bob’s light silhouette.

What to tell your hairstylist: Request light layering along the face while preserving the hair’s texture.

How to style it: Use lightweight products, such as a water-based oil essence, to maintain the hair’s unique texture. “We love to use Goldwell Stylesign Straightening Balm,” they recommend, for a smooth, frizz-free finish with added heat protection.

Korean Hair Trends 2025: Bob Perm

Another popular look is the bob perm, designed to create natural waves from the roots.

This ‘rain perm’ technique is ideal for adding volume and movement to jaw-length cuts. This look is versatile and casual yet feminine, perfect for different occasions.

As Seen On…

Kim Tae-ri’s character in Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born has sparked major interest with her short, wavy bob off-screen.

This “bob perm” style is a soft, natural look that adds texture and movement, making it ideal for casual, feminine vibes. With her effortlessly chic hair, she shows us how this trend is bound to be one of the hottest looks for 2025.

How to Achieve It

Best for: Normal, finer hair. This style might overwhelm those with too much volume.

What to tell your hairstylist: Ensure the stylist creates natural waves starting from the roots.

How to style it: For extra shine and reduced treatment time, they recommend Goldwell Structure + Shine thermal perm solution, ensuring the style stays voluminous and glossy. “Apply curl cream while drying and shape the curls by hand,” says the team.

Korean Hair Trends 2025: “Foreign Baby Hair Colour”

Hair colour is also seeing shifts, with the “foreign baby hair colour” taking centre stage.

This beige-blonde shade is designed without any red undertones, offering an ashy look that is perfect for those who prefer softer tones.

The team highlights the growing demand for this hue: “Goldwell Newance by Topchic permanent hair colour helps to achieve the desired ash brown colour,” they note, which is especially fitting for Asian hair.

As Seen On…

Aespa’s Winter stunned in COSMOPOLITAN with sleek, buttery beige blonde tresses – a standout example of the “Foreign Baby Hair Colour” trend. This shade is perfect for those wanting a cool, modern look without the harsh red tones, giving her that dreamy, ethereal vibe.

For a different take on this colour trend, LE SSERAFIM’s Sakura has opted for a darker, ashier, mushroom-brown tone. Paired with loose waves, this colour adds a soft and romantic feel, making it versatile for both everyday wear and more polished looks.

How to Achieve It

Best for: Those with reddish skin tones, though bleaching may be needed for darker hair.

What to tell your hairstylist: Ask for a matte, “milk tea”-brown shade without red undertones.

Korean Hair Trends 2025: Braided Styles

Finally, braided styles are set to soar in popularity. “Braids offer a variety of looks depending on the technique used,” the team shares, noting their rise on red carpets and social media.

This trend is favoured by those looking to add an interesting touch to long hair. Whether simple or intricate, braids add depth and texture to a variety of hairstyles, making them a likely go-to for women in their 20s and 30s.

As Seen On…

Braids have made a huge comeback, with BLACKPINK’s Jennie leading the way. During her stage performance in Macau, she wore playful, high-set braids that gave off serious Chun Li vibes. This style is fun, youthful, and perfect for adding a bit of edge to a casual look.

For a sweeter take, TWICE’s Sana sported lower braids in a ponytail, adorning them with delicate ribbons. This subtle yet charming style is perfect for those wanting a feminine and elegant twist to their hairstyle.

How to Achieve It

Best for: Those who don’t have too many layers.

What to tell your hairstylist: Make sure the hair ends are not too heavy to maintain a clean, polished look.

How to style it: Goldwell Stylesign Texture range is the team’s pick for at-home styling, ensuring ease and versatility.

Korean Hair Trends 2025: Shadow Perm

Men’s styles are getting an update as well, with the shadow perm leading the charge.

This subtle perm adds volume to the hair, creating waves that flow from the roots. “It’s ideal for those seeking simple styling solutions,” the team points out, as it works well with trendy Y2K fashion or more classic looks.

As Seen On…

The shadow perm is still going strong thanks to actor Lee Dong Wook, who made this look iconic during his Goblin days. This style offers soft waves from the roots with added volume, creating a perfect balance between laid-back and structured.

More recently, Xdinary Heroes’ Gaon has taken this look and given it a fresh twist by pairing his shadow perm with a copper tone for the K-rock band’s latest mini album LIVE and FALL.

This modern variation on the classic perm shows how the trend can be updated to suit different personalities and vibes.

How to Achieve It

Best for: Individuals with narrow or broad foreheads, longer face shapes, and low-volume or thin hair.

What to tell your hairstylist: Combine this perm with a side down perm to make styling more manageable.

How to style it: Use Goldwell Dualsenses Curly Twist range to maintain lively waves.

Innovations in Korean Haircare

According to the team, the haircare market in Korea is highly responsive to emerging trends.

While developing entirely new treatments remains challenging, there is a growing focus on enhancing existing services, such as head spa treatments.

 

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A post shared by LEEKAJA | GLOBAL Myeongdong 명동미용실 (@leekaja_md)

At salons like LEEKAJA | Global Myeongdong, where 80% of the clientele are foreign visitors, advanced hair diagnostic programs are being employed to offer customised head spa treatments.

“It’s critical for manufacturers to answer the trend by developing scalp treatment products to support the service flow,” they explain, referencing the importance of integrating scalp health into services like Kerasilk Scalp Care.

These innovations extend beyond the salon chair, with brands looking into developing shampoos and treatments based on precise scalp diagnostics. In this landscape, technological advancements such as state-of-the-art diagnostic systems are revolutionising personalised haircare.

The Role of AI and Personalisation in Korean Haircare

While artificial intelligence is becoming more common in salons, offering tools like hair colour simulations, the LEEKAJA CREA team remains cautious.

“AI simulations can serve as a reference,” they acknowledge, but the expertise of a professional designer is still invaluable when considering factors like head shape, face shape, and skin tone.

Personalisation is becoming more prevalent, with smart devices helping stylists tailor services to the individual’s hair needs.

“Today’s smart consumers have complex and specific needs,” the team notes, and this shift is driving the rise of customised haircare solutions that cater to diverse scalp and hair conditions.

What’s Next in Korean Haircare?

Looking ahead, the LEEKAJA CREA team predicts a surge in hair loss care products, driven by the growing number of individuals affected by hair thinning.

“Hair loss products are being developed with user-friendly packaging,” the team highlights, making care more convenient through spray types and roll-on applicators.

Technological advancements like ionisation and heat control are also enhancing the functionality of haircare devices, with premium products gaining traction as consumer knowledge about hair health increases.

As we step into 2025, Korean hair trends are set to redefine beauty standards, blending cutting-edge technology with personalised services. Which trend would you try?