The King: Eternal Monarch is probably the latest Korean drama on everyone’s “Watching Now” list on Netflix.
While many viewers are swooning over the dashing good looks of Lee Min-ho (who plays Lee Gon, the king of the Kingdom of Corea), we have our eyes on Kim Go-Eun (who plays Jung Tae-Eul, a police officer). Her effortless looks in the hit show – everything from an understated makeup style to her I-woke-up-like-this windswept hair – are what most of us will be able to pull off on a daily basis.
Want to take a leaf out of her style-book? Daily Vanity has gathered all the beauty secrets behind her natural girl-next-door getup – take down these notes now!
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Kim Go-Eun’s makeup as Jung Tae-Eul in The King
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Unlike the dark and edgy beauty the antagonist Seo-Ryung (Jung Eun Chae) possesses, Tae-Eul (Kim Go Eun) has a pure and clean look that allows her bold personality take centre-stage. To recreate her look, put away your bright blushes and smoky shadows, and stick to neutrals instead.
Here are a few key parts to her fresh faced look.
Muted eyeshadows
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The actress has naturally beautiful single eyelids, and makes it work for her with cool and muted peach or brown hues. Dark colours can “close” the eye area, making it look smaller than it actually is, while warm and bright shades like corals and oranges that our favourite Kpop idols often sport can make single eyelids look puffy.
Choose a matte formula, and blend your preferred shade from the lashline to the brow bone, not forgetting the undereye area. Then, further emphasise the eyes with a thin, downward flick of your favourite eyeliner, and finish off with a little mascara, just enough to darken and define them. No false lashes or triple coat of mascara necessary here!
Still Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner Micro Tip
To recreate Tae Eul’s look, you’ll need a precise nib on your eyeliner, like this one from Stila! It’ll give you more control for an effortless application.
SGD34 on Sephora.
Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette Mini
With three variations, Light, Medium, and Dark, this palette has the perfect combination of light and dark shades, and glitter and mattes to suit every skin tone.
Retails on Sephora for SGD55.
Pixi Lengthy Fiber Mascara
Stay away from ultra volumising and false lash-effect mascaras, and opt for simpler, lash tint types instead. Pixi’s mascara coats your lashes subtly, while fanning them out, for defined and longer-looking lashes.
SGD24 on Sephora.
Naturally glowy skin
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While some of us aren’t lucky enough to have Kim Go-Eun’s flawless complexion, proper skincare for your skin type and a bit of concealer should do the trick. The protagonist’s complexion looks natural because it isn’t caked with layers of foundation, so mimic the skin-like finish with a correcting base to counter your skin concerns, and cover the rest with your favourite concealer.
Cop her natural flush with a touch of long lasting cream blush in a low-key shade to retain the radiant look, as powders may make the skin look overly matte.
Charlotte Tilbury Brightening Youth Glow Primer
In addition to brightening your face, this primer also slows down ageing, reduces fine lines, and cancels out redness, making this the product for youthful looking skin.
Retails on Sephora for SGD86.
NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer
The matte cousin of the brand’s bestselling Radiant Creamy Concealer, opt for this one if you want flawless, natural skin, and while able to skip setting it with powder.
SGD46 on Sephora.
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush
Fenty Beauty’s newest launch can be used on the cheeks and lips for a quick pop of colour, making it your perfect travel companion.
Retails on Sephora for SGD33.
Gentle, soft-gradient brows
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As you may already know, straighter, thicker brows are one of the keys to having a younger looking face. However, that doesn’t mean you have to have ruler-straight brows! Adopt Tae Eul’s natural and slight curve instead, and use products with less pigments and more control, such as brow pencils or powders.
The brows are also drawn in with a soft gradient that’s lighter on the start and end of each brow. The trick to achieve this is to blend, blend, blend.
Benefit Cosmetics Foolproof Brow Powder
This compact has everything you need to achieve Tae Eul’s natural looking brows, with two soft shades you can mix or use separately with the applicator.
SGD44 on Sephora.
Fenty Beauty Brow MVP Ultra Fine Brow Pencil and Styler
With 12 shades to choose from, this fine brow pencil will help you mimic her brow shape easily, with a paddle brush at the end to diffuse the colour further.
Retails for SGD32 on Sephora.
Soft orange, red lips
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Here’s where we get to have more fun: the actress is known to wear soft shades of oranges and reds on screen, that livens up her complexion without much effort. For a typical no-makeup makeup look, we’d usually recommend an MLBB shade that’s close to your natural lip colour. However, Kim Go-Eun amps it up a little with shades that are a tone darker than her natural lip shades.
To achieve this look, consider shades that remind you of autumn, in an undertone that’s similar to your natural skin tone..
Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color
If you tend to shy away from lip products because it’s drying, this one hydrates your lips and gives it a dose of colour. Try warm shades like Cranberry, Bare, and Ruby to replicate Tae Eul’s lip colour.
Available on Sephora for SGD42.
3CE Velvet Lip Tint
These well-loved lip tints are famous for its longevity and non-drying formula, which fades evenly over time. Choose shades like Going Right or Daffodil to complete your The King makeover.
SGD17.90 on Shopee.
Kim Go-Eun’s hair as Jung Tae-Eul in The King
Gentle waves
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True to her girl-next-door look, Tae Eul wears her hair in a lived-in, wavy style, instead of a polished one. Switch up your hair colour to a medium or dark brown, and try using a larger barrelled curling iron for those loose flowing waves, starting at the cheekbone area. This frames both sides of the face, making it look smaller. Don’t forget to curl your bangs too!
You can also go with this heat-less hack: put your hair in large braids and sleep in them. The next morning, loosen them up and you’ll see naturally looking waves! A bit of hairspray or texturising spray should set the look in place for quite a while.
The low pony
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Tae-Eul seems to be equally low-key when it comes to hair as well. Instead of elaborate up-dos, she sports her hair in low ponytails. Achieve the same look by going for choppy, longer bangs when the Circuit Breaker ends, or simply tie it back at the nape of your neck! Alternatively, jazz up and voluminise the basic pony with already curled hair, instead of straight hair for a more voluminous look.
VODANA Curling iron
This popular hairstyling tool will help you to get Tae-Eul’s effortlessly disheveled hair. Opt for larger barrel sizes (38mm and up) for looser waves.
Retails on Shopee for SGD107.
Ouai Leave In Conditioner
While it appears as though the actress doesn’t use much styling product, she does have a head of shiny hair. Lessen frizz and flyaways and protect hair against heat with Ouai’s Leave In Conditioner.
SGD39 on Sephora.
Hair tie
Tae-Eul usually uses a simple black hair tie in The King, but if you prefer slightly fancier, you can consider fabric hair ties like these ones.
SGD1.47 (for five) on Shopee.
