Kstyle

Kstyle, often written as K-style, is a term used to describe a Korean-inspired aesthetic across fashion, beauty, design, and lifestyle. It refers to trends associated with contemporary South Korean pop culture, particularly the styles popularized by K-pop music, Korean television dramas, and related media, rather than a single, unified look.

Origins and usage: The term emerged in English-language media and online communities as audiences sought a shorthand for the fashion and beauty trends linked to Korean media. It is not an official brand or standardized category; interpretations may vary by market and source.

Fashion and beauty: Kstyle encompasses various silhouettes, textures, and color palettes seen in streetwear, high fashion, and editorial shoots influenced by Korean celebrities and street fashion. Beauty trends under Kstyle include skincare routines, makeup techniques, and complexion aesthetics popularized by Korean cosmetics and media.

Global influence and criticism: Through social media, fans and influencers disseminate Kstyle, contributing to transnational fashion cycles. Critics note it can reflect a narrow, commercialized view of Korean fashion, with concerns about cultural appropriation or homogenization, and remind that Korea's fashion scene is diverse and not monolithic.

Related topics include Korean fashion, K-pop, and the broader term Hallyu, which describes the Korean wave of entertainment and culture.