30 Korean Hairstyles for Men: Two-Block Cuts, Perms, and K-Pop Style Techniques
Korean men’s hairstyling has become one of the most specific and technical corners of men’s grooming, driven by a combination of K-pop styling, K-drama leading men, and a domestic barbering culture that treats hair almost like tailoring — built around a small set of named base cuts (the two-block above all) that get customized with an equally specific vocabulary of perm techniques, fringe treatments, and color work. That vocabulary rarely survives translation into Western barbershops, where “Korean haircut” often gets flattened into a single vague request.
This guide breaks down 30 of the real, distinct styles and techniques that make up that vocabulary — the foundational cuts, the specific perm types (C-curl, S-curl, down perm, digital perm, and more) that define how Korean stylists actually customize them, the finished looks built on top of those foundations, and the color treatments that round out the current trend cycle. It’s meant to go deeper than a general “Asian hairstyles” roundup: every entry below is a specific, named technique or look you can actually ask a barber for by name.
1. The Two-Block Cut
The two-block cut is the foundation almost every other style on this list is built on top of. The name refers to the two distinct lengths (“blocks”) that make up the cut: the sides and back are clippered down short and even, while the top section is left considerably longer and cut with scissors so it can be pushed, brushed, or permed into a separate shape. Where the two lengths meet, Korean barbers typically leave a cleaner, more abrupt line than a Western taper — the transition is a defined step rather than a gradual blend.
That structure is what makes the two-block so versatile as a base: because the top is left long and largely untouched by clippers, it can be restyled in dozens of directions — swept forward into curtain bangs, curled into comma hair, permed for volume, or slicked straight back — without changing the underlying cut. Most of the named looks later in this list (comma hair, curtain bangs, the wolf cut, the mash) are really a two-block with a different finishing treatment on top.
Traditionally the sides are clippered to a uniform guard length rather than gradually faded, which is the main visible difference from a Western undercut or fade — see the two-block fade entry later in this list for the newer hybrid version that blends the two approaches.
2. Comma Hair (The Comma Cut)
Comma hair is a fringe styled to curve inward at the ends, forming a soft, rounded hook that resembles a comma (or a backward “C”) sitting against the forehead. It’s cut sitting on top of a two-block base, with the front section left long enough and layered at an angle so the ends naturally want to curve rather than sit flat.
The curve is usually created one of two ways: blow-drying the fringe over a round brush to train the hook shape, or getting a fringe perm (see entry 14) so the curl holds without daily blow-drying. Either way, it’s finished with a light wax or cream rather than gel, to keep the texture soft and matte instead of glossy.
Comma hair became closely associated with K-pop idols and K-drama male leads through the 2010s, and it remains the single most-requested reference photo at Korean salons — more a default expectation than a niche trend at this point.
3. The Two-Block Perm
A two-block perm applies a perm only to the longer top section of a two-block cut, leaving the clippered sides untouched. The point is texture and low-maintenance volume: permed hair naturally sits with more body and separation, so it needs less daily blow-drying and product to look styled.
Because it grows out gradually rather than needing to be recut, a two-block perm also holds its shape longer between barbershop visits than a fresh two-block cut alone, which is one of the main reasons it’s a standing request rather than a one-off style.
The specific curl pattern applied on top is usually one of the named perm types below — most commonly a C-curl for subtle texture or an S-curl for more visible wave.
4. Curtain Bangs (Curtain Fringe)
Curtain bangs part the fringe down the center and sweep it to both sides, framing the face the way a pair of curtains frames a window. The fringe has to be cut long enough — generally reaching close to the outer corners of the eyes — for it to fall naturally in that outward direction rather than looking like it’s being pushed there.
It’s typically layered rather than cut to one blunt length, so the strands fall in overlapping wisps instead of a solid curtain edge. It works over a longer-than-usual two-block top, and is one of the more face-framing, softer options on this list compared to the more angular comma cut.
5. Perm Curtain (Curtain Perm)
A perm curtain takes the curtain bangs shape and adds a light perm — usually just to the fringe and crown — so the outward sweep holds its shape without a round brush and blow dryer every morning. It’s frequently done as a fringe perm (entry 14) rather than a full-head perm, since only the front section needs the extra hold.
The curl added is typically subtle — a loose C-curl is enough to keep the parted shape in place — since too much curl definition works against the soft, framing effect that makes curtain bangs distinctive in the first place.
6. The C-Curl Perm
A C-curl perm curls the ends of the hair inward, forming a soft “C” shape rather than a full wave running through the whole strand. It’s considered the most beginner-friendly, understated Korean perm — subtle enough that it reads as naturally tidy hair rather than an obviously permed look.
It works best on short-to-medium lengths and is a common choice for men who want a bit of texture and shape without committing to a more dramatic, all-over wave pattern.
7. The S-Curl Perm
An S-curl perm runs the curl from root to tip in an “S” shape, rather than curling only at the ends the way a C-curl does. The result is noticeably more volume and movement throughout the length of the hair, not just at the tips.
Because the wave pattern is more pronounced, it’s usually paired with a texturizing cream or light sea-salt spray to define the curls without weighing them down, and it tends to suit medium-to-longer top lengths better than a very short two-block.
8. Wave Perm (Water Perm)
A wave perm — sometimes called a water perm — creates a loose, subtle wave pattern rather than defined curls. The goal is grip and body: straight, fine Asian hair that would otherwise slide out of any styled shape within an hour instead holds a side-swept or tousled shape through the day.
It’s a common choice for men who don’t want their hair to look “permed” at all — the wave is meant to be subtle enough that it reads as naturally textured hair rather than a chemical treatment.
9. Shadow Perm (Spoon Curl)
The shadow perm is generally considered the original Korean men’s perm technique — the style that the more specifically named perms above (C-curl, S-curl, wave) branched out from over time. It uses curved, spoon-shaped rods rather than standard cylindrical rods, which produces soft, flowing S-shaped waves that move naturally instead of sitting as tight, uniform ringlets.
Because the curl pattern it creates is looser and more irregular than a rod perm, it tends to photograph especially well — the waves catch light and shadow across the surface of the hair rather than reading as a flat, uniform texture.
10. Cold Perm (Setting Perm)
A cold perm is the more traditional, chemical-only version of a Korean perm — no heated rods, just a perm solution and standard rods, followed by a neutralizer. Because there’s no heat step, the solution used is generally a bit stronger than what a digital perm requires.
Cold perm is the default choice for most Korean men’s short hairstyles because it works on shorter lengths that wouldn’t be long enough to wrap around the larger rods a digital perm uses. It’s also faster and less expensive, with results that typically last around three to six months before growing out.
11. Digital Perm
A digital perm combines a gentler perm solution with heated ceramic rods, which set the curl pattern using heat rather than chemistry alone. The result tends to be a looser, more elastic wave that lasts longer than a cold perm — typically four to eight months.
The tradeoff is length: digital perm rods need roughly five inches of hair or more to wrap around properly, which rules it out for a short two-block top. It’s a better fit for the longer styles further down this list, like the Korean wolf cut or a longer curtain-bang look.
12. Down Perm
A down perm does the opposite job of every perm above it: instead of adding curl or volume, it chemically relaxes hair that’s puffing up or sticking out at the sides and crown, pressing it to lie flatter and closer to the head.
It’s a common fix for men with thick, wiry hair, a stubborn double crown, or hair that simply won’t stay down with product alone. It’s frequently done in combination with a two-block cut, since a flatter top is easier to brush cleanly forward or to one side without the sides puffing back out.
13. Root Perm
A root perm targets only the roots at the crown, adding lift and volume there while leaving the mid-lengths and ends completely untouched. It’s the fix for hair that goes flat by midday specifically at the crown — rather than perming the whole head for volume it isn’t lacking elsewhere.
Because only a small section is treated, it’s a quicker, lower-chemical-exposure appointment than a full perm, and it’s frequently requested alongside a fresh two-block cut for men whose hair loses lift within a few hours of styling.
14. Fringe Perm (Bangs Perm / Cushion Perm)
A fringe perm — sometimes called a bangs perm or cushion perm — treats only the front section of hair rather than the whole head. It’s the technique behind most permed comma-hair and curtain-bang looks: rather than perming the whole top, the stylist adds curl or lift specifically to the fringe.
Because the section being treated is small, the appointment moves quickly — often under an hour — and involves gentler chemical exposure than a full-head perm. It’s a good option for reshaping how bangs fall without committing to a texture change across the rest of the hair.
15. The Korean Wolf Cut
The wolf cut is a heavily layered, shaggy shape that blends a mullet’s shorter, textured back with choppy, face-framing layers on top — part of a broader shag revival that’s been popular globally, but the Korean version has its own specific structure. Rather than the soft, graduated taper common in Western wolf cuts, the Korean wolf cut is usually built on a two-block-style undercut underneath the shag, giving a sharper contrast between the shaved sides and the long, textured top.
The fringe is typically left wispy and face-framing, closer to a curtain-bang shape than a blunt fringe, and the whole style is often finished with a wave or S-curl perm to enhance the choppy, undone texture the cut is going for. It reads as intentionally messy rather than shaggy-by-neglect, but only when the layering underneath is cut with real precision.
16. Korean Mash (Mushroom Cut)
The Korean mash — short for mushroom cut — is a rounded, bowl-like shape softened with heavy internal layering and texture, so it reads as a soft, youthful silhouette rather than the stiff, helmet-like look of a classic bowl cut. The fringe is usually left with a bit of natural break rather than cut to one hard blunt line.
It’s especially popular with younger guys and students, and it’s often lightly permed (typically a C-curl) to add body so the rounded shape has some lift and movement instead of sitting flat against the head.
17. Buzz Cut (Korean Military-Style Buzz)
A buzz cut is an extremely short, uniform length all over, clippered with no distinction between the top and sides. In Korea it carries a specific cultural association beyond being a low-maintenance style choice: mandatory military conscription requires enlisted men to keep their hair buzzed short, so a large share of Korean men — including many idols and actors — go through at least one period of wearing a buzz cut during their service.
Outside of that context, it’s also worn simply as a wash-and-go option that needs no daily styling at all, or deliberately chosen for a clean, no-frills look.
18. Middle Part
A middle part divides the hair directly down the center and brushes the top length evenly outward to both sides, rather than sweeping it in one direction the way a side-swept fringe does. It’s usually worn over a longer two-block or comma-hair base, since it needs enough length on both sides of the part to fall evenly.
It became one of the more requested Korean looks as a softer, more symmetrical alternative to the classic side-swept comma fringe, and it pairs well with a subtle C-curl perm to keep both sides from looking too flat or stiff.
19. Side Part (Korean Gentleman Side Part)
A side part divides the hair unevenly — typically somewhere around a 60/40 or 70/30 split — rather than straight down the middle, creating a subtle asymmetry. It’s a more formal, business-leaning look than a middle part or a swept comma fringe.
It’s usually styled with a light, low-shine product for a smooth finish appropriate for office environments, and it’s a common choice among Korean office workers and in more conservative corporate settings where the flashier idol-driven styles read as too casual.
20. Textured Crop
A textured crop keeps the top at a short-to-medium length with a blunt or lightly textured fringe, and the sides cut short with scissors or clippers but without a sharp, defined fade line. It’s a quieter, lower-maintenance cousin to comma hair or a fully styled two-block — less precision shaping, more natural, “lived-in” texture.
It’s typically finished with a matte clay or paste rather than a wax or gel, to keep the texture looking rough and natural rather than sleek and glossy.
21. Two-Block Fade (Skin Fade Two-Block)
A two-block fade is a newer hybrid that layers a Western-style graduated skin fade onto the sides and back, underneath a traditional Korean two-block top, instead of the flatter, single-length clipper-guard sides of the original style. It reflects the ongoing cross-pollination between Korean and Western/Korean-American barbering.
The result is a sharper, more dramatic visual contrast between the long top and the short sides than a classic two-block gives, since the fade gradually blends rather than stopping at one uniform length — worth specifically asking for by name, since “two-block” alone will usually get you the traditional flat-sided version.
22. Slicked-Back Undercut
This style grows the top out and combs it straight back with a strong-hold pomade or gel for a smooth, glossy finish, over short undercut or two-block sides. It’s a common red-carpet and awards-show look for Korean actors and idols, since it photographs cleanly under bright lighting.
It’s less practical as an everyday style, since it needs to be restyled with product daily rather than settling into a low-maintenance shape the way a textured crop or buzz cut does.
23. French Crop (Korean Adaptation)
The French crop is a short cut with a straight, textured fringe left slightly longer at the front and tapered or faded sides — a globally recognized style that Korean barbers have adapted with their own touch. The Korean version typically softens the blunt Western fringe line with more internal texturizing, and pairs it with the straighter, non-faded side treatment associated with a classic two-block rather than a hard Western skin fade.
It’s a good middle ground for men who want the low-maintenance practicality of a short crop without the more dramatic contrast a full skin fade creates.
24. High-Volume Quiff (Idol Stage Quiff)
A high-volume quiff pushes the top hair up and back off the forehead for maximum height, typically blow-dried over a round brush and locked in with a strong-hold product or hairspray. It’s a more dramatic, structured shape than most of the everyday styles on this list.
Because of the styling time and product load it needs, it’s mostly reserved for stage performances, photoshoots, and formal appearances rather than daily wear — it’s a “look” in the theatrical sense more than a practical everyday cut.
25. Ivy League (Two-Block Ivy / Office Look)
This is a conservative, business-appropriate adaptation of the two-block: a shorter top length — long enough to comb into place but not long enough for dramatic movement — paired with neatly clippered sides and minimal fringe drama.
It’s a common choice in Korean corporate and academic settings, where the more expressive styles on this list, like comma hair or the wolf cut, can read as too trend-driven or casual for a formal dress code.
26. Crew Cut (Korean Adaptation)
A crew cut keeps the top short — roughly an inch or so — so it stands up slightly with a small amount of product, paired with tapered or faded sides. It’s a step up in length from a full buzz cut, but still a genuine wash-and-go option that needs very little daily maintenance.
It’s a common choice for men who want a clean, low-effort look without going as short or severe as a full buzz.
27. Long Layered Shag (Kkonminam / “Flower Boy” Center Part)
This is longer, shoulder-grazing or ear-length hair, usually center-parted, with softly feathered layers throughout rather than one blunt length. It’s a niche but recurring look in Korean fashion and streetwear circles rather than a mainstream daily style, and it requires noticeably more upkeep — regular conditioning and trims to maintain the layered shape — than the short two-block-based cuts on the rest of this list.
The look traces back to the “kkonminam” (flower boy) aesthetic that became prominent in Korean entertainment from the late 1990s into the 2000s: a soft-masculinity ideal built around fair skin, delicate features, and longer, carefully groomed hair, associated with a wave of idols and actors from that era. It’s a reference point that still shows up in longer Korean men’s hairstyles today, even though the dominant everyday styles have shifted toward the shorter two-block family.
28. Ash Brown Dye
Ash brown is a cool-toned brown formulated to neutralize the red or orange undertones that commonly show up when naturally dark Asian hair is lightened. It reads as soft and slightly transparent in daylight and a richer, more urban tone indoors.
It’s one of the most common “first color” choices for men moving off natural black hair, since it’s subtle enough to pass in office and school settings while still being a clearly deliberate style choice rather than just faded black hair.
29. Silver Melt (Grey Idol Dye)
A silver melt blends silver and grey tones into a gradient rather than one flat metallic shade, giving more dimension and depth than a solid grey dye job. Getting there requires pre-lightening dark Asian hair before toning, which makes it a higher-commitment, higher-maintenance color change than something like ash brown.
It’s closely associated with K-pop comeback and stage looks rather than everyday street style, partly because of the upkeep involved and partly because it’s a bold enough change that it reads as a deliberate styling statement rather than a subtle color shift.
30. Two-Tone Dip-Dye (Money-Piece Coloring)
Rather than dyeing the whole head, this technique colors only a section of hair — often the “money piece” framing the face — in a contrasting tone, whether that’s a bold color like red or blue or a more subtle two-tone brown. It lets men make a visible color statement without the maintenance and damage of a full-head bleach and dye.
It’s a common way to add a distinct visual element to an otherwise simple cut like a two-block or textured crop, and because only a small section needs touching up as it grows out, it’s noticeably lower-commitment than a full head of color.
