How K-Dramas and Korean Culture Are Shaping Gen Z Fashion

In the ever-evolving world of fashion, one trend remains consistent: the 
unstoppable global rise of Korean culture. From catchy K-pop hooks to 
emotionally gripping K-dramas, South Korea has positioned itself as a 
global tastemaker. And nowhere is that influence more visible than in the 
closets of Gen Z.

The K-Drama Effect: Fashion That Tells a Story
K-dramas aren’t just entertainment, they’re visual style guides. Characters 
are meticulously styled to reflect their personalities, social roles, and 
character arcs. For Gen Z, each episode becomes a lookbook.
Take Yoon Se-ri in Crash Landing on You, a fashion CEO with a wardrobe as 
sharp as her wit. Her signature high-waisted trousers, silk blouses, and 
tailored coats practically whisper luxury. As she once said, “Luxury is about 
confidence.” Gen Z took note and started embracing minimalist chic with 
bold confidence.

Meanwhile, Shin Ha-ri in Business Proposal shows how to mix cute with 
corporate. One moment, she’s rocking structured blazers and pencil skirts, 
and the next, she’s in cosy knits for her double-life disguise. When she 
nervously stammers, “This is just... a part-time job!”, her look fresh and 
modern tells a whole different story. It’s the fashion duality
Gen Z loves: being able to shift between roles while keeping style intact In 
Itaewon Class, Jo Yi-seo’s grungy-chic fashion leather jackets, plaid skirts, 
and chunky boots matched her rebellious streak. Her famous line, “I decide 
what’s cool,” resonated with Gen Z’s desire to break norms and own their 
identities through fashion.

Korean Streetwear & the “Everyday Idol” Look
Outside the drama sets, Korean streetwear thrives with a curated yet effortless vibe. Gen Z around the world is drawn to this aesthetic because it 
offers flexibility, comfort, and originality. Think wide-legged cargo 
pants, graphic tees, oversized shirts, and clean sneakers—styled with 
intention, not just thrown on.

K-dramas subtly reinforce this too. In Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Na Hee-do’s 
90s-inspired casualwear—oversized school jackets, scrunchies, and 
layered basics—has sparked a vintage revival. Her line, “Even if I’m scared, 
I still want to try,” mirrors the boldness Gen Z channels in their  
style. Korean brands like Stylenanda and Ader Error, often seen on idols and 
actors, offer these same silhouettes—oversized fits, bold graphics, genderfluid cuts—that Gen Z embraces with ease.
Style Icons Beyond the Script
Actors like IU, Song Kang, and Kim Da-mi blur the line between screen and 
street. Their social media looks, airport fits, and editorial spreads feed Gen 
Z’s moodboards. For example, IU’s off-screen outfits often mirror her 
drama looks—simple, elegant, with a touch of whimsy.
In Hotel Del Luna, her character Jang Man-wol oozes vintage luxury with 
dramatic sleeves, floral prints, and opulent jewellery. Her infamous quote, “I 
lived fiercely... because I knew I was alone,” hit hard—but so did every 
single one of her outfits, which fans still recreate today.
Cultural Confidence & Global Appeal
Korean fashion champions quiet luxury, attention to detail, and 
individualism—all values that Gen Z upholds. It blends:
Gender-fluid silhouettes (cue the rise of unisex fashion)
Soft power dressing that isn’t about showing skin, but showing strength
Visual storytelling—outfits that evolve with the wearer’s mood, just like a Kdrama plot

By Tulika Gadhok