Retro Beauties: The Best Throwback Looks From Korean Dramas And Films
Get inspired by these nostalgic Korean titles and their characters’ chic looks!
With Twenty Five Twenty One and 20th Century Girl being some of the most beloved (despite being the most heartbreaking) releases of 2022, the nostalgic turn Korean entertainment has taken of late has us looking to the past with a lot of callbacks to the vibrant decades of our youth.
Watching these dramas and films onscreen reminds us how the world was rife with challenges (which we were somewhat oblivious of), but they were also filled with the best memories—including the fashion and beauty trends that defined the generation!
As the ’80s and ’90s have heavily influenced today’s style, we couldn’t help but spot the best we’ve seen in Korean dramas and films. Here, we run down some of the characters who got us reminiscing about our own teenage style! Which one is your favorite? Swipe through the gallery for some awesome throwback looks!
Retro K-drama Beauty
Retro K-drama Beauty
Shi-won in Reply 1997 (2012)
It’s only fitting we start this trip down memory lane with the darlings of the ‘Reply’ series, starting with Shi-won played by Apink’s Eunji and her signature fringe. You can tell the H.O.T. stan from a mile away with her long straight hair and perfect arched bangs!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Na-jung in Reply 1994 (2013)
Next in the series is Go Ara’s Na-jung from ‘Reply 1994’—a country bumpkin attending university in Seoul who favored the ’90s shaggy bob with bangs.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Duk-seon in Reply 1988 (2015)
(1/2) Of course, we can’t forget ‘Reply’ darling Deok-sun played by Girls Day’s Hyeri. In the first episode, she talks about how her “bangs are so wavy, you could surf through them.” We can’t get over that sleek bob, too!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
(2/2) Lest we forget she also raided her older sister’s makeup stash one time and went crazy. This look is peak 1980s: strong eyebrows, sparkly eyeshadow, and bold lips!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Jin-joo in Couple on the Backtrack (2017)
When this romantic comedy drama takes us back to 1999, Jang Na-ra’s Jin-joo is a fresh-faced 20-year-old attending university. Her long layered hair is complemented by feathered bangs. So cute and so chic!
Myung-hee in Youth of May (2021)
A tragic tale set during the turbulent Gwangju Uprising in South Korea, this melodrama starred Go Min-si as Myung-hee—a spirited nurse caught in the throes of love and
Yeong-ro in Snowdrop (2021)
Everyone knows BLACKPINK Jisoo’s Yeong-ro, a gorgeous freshman attending university during the June 1987 Democracy Movement in South Korea. A gentle, wide-eyed beauty, she wore her long, wavy hair down, half up, and in a ponytail throughout the series and looked absolutely beautiful in whatever style.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
(2/2)
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Chung-ya in Snowdrop (2021)
Yoo In-na’s Chung-ya is a surgeon, explaining her penchant for a no-nonsense look. The thin wire-framed glasses and wispy bangs add a touch of cool femininity to her otherwise
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Bun-ok in Snowdrop (2021)
Despite being an antagonist in the series, Kim Hye-yoon’s Bun-ok turned heads with her amazing style. We’re particularly drawn to this very ’80s ensemble—complete with curly bangs and voluptuous hair topped off with a pretty red beret!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Hee-do in Twenty Five Twenty One (2022)
Another favorite this year, Kim Tae-ri’s Hee-do is an adorable tomboy whose dreams of becoming a top fencer defined her teenage life. She appears to care more about her sport and less about her looks—and despite her bangs being choppy and uneven in a too-cool-for-school sort of way, Yi-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk) will still fall for that smile every time!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
(2/2) One episode also featured Hee-do raiding her eomma’s closet and makeup vanity to go to a club, giving us this uber retro look: the scrunchie and the dark lip are so ’90s!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Hee-do and Yu-rim in Twenty Five Twenty One (2022)
On their way to a “school trip,” Hee-do and Bona’s Yu-rim remind us of our own youth. Sunnies as a hair accessory? Check. Colorful clips? Check. Bandana? Check. Pigtails? Check, check, check!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Soo-ok in Unforgettable (2016)
A tale of young love in summertime, this romance drama featured an ensemble cast led by Do Kyung-soo and Kim Soo-hyun where the latter’s Soo-ok favored every girl’s go-to style: straight long hair with full bangs in a half ponytail.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Gil-ja in Unforgettable (2016)
One of the second leads in the film, Joo A-reum’s Gil-ja also dressed up her short bob and full bangs with a thick headband—another recognizable ’90s look.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Mi-soo in Tune in for Love (2019)
Set between 1994 and 2000, the romantic film starring Kim Go-eun and Jung Hae-in featured a lot of references to past trends—including Mi-soo’s bob with baby bangs, a favorite cut in the ’90s!
Ra-hee in Miracle: Letters to the President (2021)
The year was 1988 in this romantic film headlined by Girls Generation’s Yoona as Ra-hee, and we can’t get over the effortless curtain bangs and the fresh-faced glow!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Bo-kyeong in Miracle: Letters to the President (2021)
Similar to Duk-seon’s blunt bob, Lee Soo-kyung’s Bo-kyeon in ‘Miracle’ also sported a blunt crop styled ever so simply with a barette.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Bo-ra in 20th Century Girl (2022)
Any tomboy growing up will definitely relate to Kim Yoo-jung’s Bo-ra in this freshly released romantic film. The backwards cap was the accessory du jour if you were one of the boys!
Photo Credit: Netflix
(2/2) And if you weren’t wearing a backwards cap, you threw your long, straight hair in a ponytail and called it a day. Good times!
Photo Credit: Netflix
Banner photos via Hancinema
Top Stories
Metro Beauty Picks Of The Week
BEAUTYMar 14, 2023
