An unbelievable amount of effort goes into creating the perfect K-Drama. From the plot to the characters, cinematography to OSTs, and even the tiniest details need equal attention. One such element that truly enhances the immersion of a K-Drama is its fashion. Here are my picks for the top 10 K-Dramas with the most iconic styling and costumes.
When it comes to fashion in a K-Drama, Go Moon-yeong (played by Seo Yea-ji) in "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" remains unrivaled. Besides being visually stunning, Go Moon-yeong's fashion choices directly represent her state of mind. To some extent, as Moon Gang-tae (played by Kim Soo-hyun) deduces, they're also a coping mechanism to escape from the trauma that haunts her.
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Set in a household belonging to the top 1%, "MINE" features fashion that is simply a vision to behold. From pantsuits and shoulder pads symbolizing power and dominance to elegant silk dresses and bright colours of rebellion, Kim Seo-hyung and Lee Bo-young's fashion speak louder than words.
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If you're looking for Victorian goth/witchcore style inspiration, Jang Nara's fashion in "Sell Your Haunted House" fits the bill like no other. From rich, velvety, dark colours paired with soft and pale fabrics to chokers and leather jackets, this drama will make you fall in love with its aesthetic in one glance.
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When it comes to period drama fashion, nothing could ever beat the glory of "Mr. Sunshine". With its brilliant portrayal of early 20th century vogue in Korea, complete with the diversity brought in by multicultural influences, "Mr. Sunshine" is just as much a study in fashion as it is a moving K-Drama.
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Vibrant, whimsical and full of life, Kim Dal-ri's fashion sense in "Dali and Cocky Prince" reflects her rich inner world and artistic inclinations. Park Gyu-young gorgeously portrays Dal-ri's individuality through her fashion and pulls off each look with grace.
Similarly, Jin Moo-hak (played by Kim Min-jae-I) too has a unique style which manifests itself in prints, patterns and bold colours. Together, they make for the quirkiest fashion couple of all time.
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Take a visual trip down the eras of fashion with Hwang Jung-eum in "Mystic Pop-Up Bar" as her character Wol-joo lives through hundreds of years agelessly. From regal hanboks to plush dresses, Wol-joo is a stunner in anything she wears.
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IU is the very definition of ethereal beauty as Jang Man-wol in "Hotel Del Luna". Her glamorous gowns, charming dresses and timeless accessories made of the most dazzling jewels are hypnotising, to say the least. Jang Man-wol lends a modern twist to classic style elements, bringing us the best of both worlds.
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When it comes to making the small screen your runway, no one does it better than the mermaid princess herself: Sim Cheong (played by Jun Ji-hyun) from "The Legend of the Blue Sea". It might not have been long since Sim Cheong became a human on land but she sure has the fashion sense of a supermodel!
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Much like the name suggests, "The King: Eternal Monarch" features fashion fit for royalty. The long coats, crisp shirts and cozy cardigans on Lee Gon (played by Lee Min-ho) alongside the dignified formal dresses and striking high heels on Goo Seo-ryeong (played by Jung Eun-chae) give us a taste of regency at its finest.
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Finally, the most recent addition to the league of K-Dramas with extraordinary fashion is the fantasy healing drama "Tomorrow". The protagonist of the story is Goo Ryeon (played by Kim Hee-sun), the Team Leader of the Risk Management Team at Jumadeung, responsible for protecting individuals who are at high risk of suicide. In other words, she is a Grim Reaper who saves lives. However, unlike what her serious job description suggests, her fashion sense is as bold and experimental as it gets. Goo Ryeon is chanelling peak Gen Z energy with her fashion and everyone needs to take notes.
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By Ishani Sarkar.
Ishani Sarkar is a Writer, Editor and Hallyu journalist with years of experience in writing about Korean art, entertainment and culture, editing and managing content as well as interviewing Korean artists and celebrities. Ishani Sarkar can be reached at ishani.specter@gmail.com.
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