A Journey Through Time: 12 Breathtaking Korean Traditional Hairstyles You Need to See

by석아산 • • 2 min read
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Pixel art of Joseon Dynasty hairstyles: young girl with braided daenggi meori, married woman with jjok bun and binyeo, and noblewoman with a large jeweled gache wig, representing Korean traditional hair culture.

A Journey Through Time: 12 Breathtaking Korean Traditional Hairstyles You Need to See

Ever marveled at the intricate, breathtaking hairstyles in a K-drama and wondered about their stories?

You’re not alone.

I’ve spent countless hours, just like you, falling down the rabbit hole of Korean history and culture, and let me tell you, the hairstyles are a world unto themselves.

They’re not just beautiful; they’re a language.

Every twist, every pin, every extravagant wig told a story of the person wearing it—their social status, their marital status, even their personal beliefs.

It’s like a secret code woven into their hair.

Imagine being able to walk into a room and know everything about a person just by looking at their hairdo.

That’s what it was like for centuries in Korea.

In this post, we’re going on a grand tour through time, exploring 12 of the most iconic traditional Korean hairstyles.

We'll uncover the secrets behind the massive, dramatic gache wigs, the simple elegance of the chignon, and the profound symbolism of the men’s topknot, the sangtu.

Trust me, this isn’t just a history lesson; it's a peek into the soul of a culture that valued tradition and symbolism more than we can imagine today.

So, grab a cup of your favorite tea, get comfortable, and let's dive into the fascinating world of Korean traditional hairstyles.

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Table of Contents

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The Historical and Cultural Significance of Korean Hairstyles

Hairstyles were more than just a fashion statement in old Korea.

They were a powerful signifier of a person's life.

Think about it: in a time when there were no official ID cards or social media profiles, how could you tell a person’s age, marital status, or social class at a glance?

Their hair held the answers.

For centuries, hair was seen as a sacred part of the body, a gift from your parents that should not be cut.

This belief, rooted in Confucian principles of filial piety, meant that for both men and women, long hair was the norm.

They wore it up in elaborate styles, creating an art form on their heads.

The transition from a simple braid to an intricate bun marked a significant life event—like getting married.

It was a public declaration of a new chapter, a visual rite of passage.

And for men, cutting one's hair was seen as a grave act of disrespect to one's parents and ancestors.

This is why the modernization efforts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which mandated men to cut their hair short, were met with so much resistance and even protest.

It wasn't just about a haircut; it was about losing a core part of their identity and cultural heritage.

This is the kind of deep meaning we’re talking about here.

These hairstyles weren't just for show; they were a living history, a cultural blueprint.

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Goryeo Dynasty Hairstyles: Simplicity and Elegance (918–1392)

The Goryeo Dynasty was a time of more artistic freedom compared to the later Joseon period.

The hairstyles were generally simpler and more natural, emphasizing elegance over extravagance.

They often featured flowing, long hair with minimal ornamentation.

Let's look at a couple of key styles from this era.

Chignon (Minmeori)

The chignon, or "minmeori," was a fundamental hairstyle for women of the Goryeo Dynasty.

It was a simple, low bun at the nape of the neck, and it was the go-to style for many women, from commoners to royalty.

Its simplicity was a hallmark of the era, reflecting a more relaxed approach to beauty and adornment.

This style was elegant and practical, allowing women to manage their long hair without excessive complexity.

The simplicity of the minmeori also served a symbolic purpose, representing purity and modesty, virtues highly valued in society at the time.

Interestingly, this style laid the foundation for more complex buns that would emerge in later periods.

Gisaeng Hairstyles

Gisaeng, who were professional entertainers and artists, often wore more elaborate and decorative versions of the chignon.

Their hairstyles were a canvas for self-expression, often adorned with beautiful hairpins, ribbons, and silk flowers.

Their hair was a part of their performance, a visual spectacle that complemented their artistry in music, dance, and poetry.

While the general populace favored simplicity, the gisaeng were an exception, showing that even within the confines of tradition, there was room for individual flair and creativity.

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Joseon Dynasty Hairstyles: A Period of Strict Social Rules (1392–1897)

The Joseon Dynasty was a different story entirely.

This was a period of strict Confucian principles, and social hierarchy was everything.

Hairstyles became a powerful tool to enforce and display these social rules, and they became incredibly varied and complex.

The Joseon era gave us some of the most iconic and visually stunning Korean traditional hairstyles.

The Gache Wig

The gache is arguably the most famous—or infamous—of all Korean traditional hairstyles.

If you've watched any historical K-drama, you've probably seen these massive, incredibly heavy wigs worn by queens and high-ranking noblewomen.

The gache was a symbol of immense wealth and status.

The bigger and heavier the gache, the wealthier the woman wearing it.

These wigs could weigh up to 16 pounds, and stories abound of women breaking their necks under the weight!

It's crazy to think about, right?

This extreme trend eventually led to a royal decree banning the gache in 1788 because it was seen as a symbol of excessive extravagance and a burden on the poor, who tried to emulate the rich by buying their own gache.

This is a great example of how fashion trends, even in ancient times, could get out of hand and require government intervention.

Imagine the drama that must have caused!

For more on this fascinating fashion trend, check out this great article: "Korean Art" by The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Binyeo (Hairpin)

With the gache banned, the focus shifted to the "binyeo," or hairpin.

The binyeo wasn't just for holding hair in place; it was a stunning piece of jewelry that told a story.

They came in various shapes, materials, and designs, from simple brass pins for commoners to elaborate gold, silver, and jade pins for the elite.

The design of the binyeo could signify the wearer's rank, marital status, or even the occasion they were attending.

Some were shaped like phoenixes, dragons, or flowers, each with its own symbolic meaning.

This shift from the gache to the binyeo shows a move from ostentatious displays of wealth to more refined, personal symbols of status.

It’s like moving from a giant, flashy car to a bespoke, elegant watch.

For more on traditional Korean clothing and accessories, this site is a fantastic resource: "Hanbok" on Korea.net.

Tenggimeori (Braided Pigtail)

Before they were married, young girls and unmarried women wore their hair in a simple "tenggimeori," a single braid down their back.

This hairstyle was often decorated with a red or pink ribbon at the end, called a "tenggi."

It was a visual cue that the wearer was a young, unmarried woman and an important rite of passage for girls as they reached marriageable age.

This hairstyle was a symbol of their youth and innocence, a stark contrast to the elaborate buns they would wear after marriage.

This style, with its straightforward charm, is still a popular choice for traditional events and historical dramas, evoking a sense of youthful nostalgia.

Jjokjinmeori (Traditional Chignon)

Once a woman was married, her hairstyle changed dramatically.

She would gather her long hair into a tight bun at the nape of her neck, a style known as "jjokjinmeori."

This bun, often secured with a binyeo, was the standard for married women of all social classes.

It represented her new status as a wife and homemaker, a symbol of her maturity and responsibility.

The neatness and simplicity of the jjokjinmeori were considered virtuous, reflecting the Joseon ideal of a modest and dutiful wife.

While the basic style was the same for all, the quality and design of the binyeo distinguished the noblewoman from the commoner.

Saengmeori (Braided Bun for Young Girls)

A variation of the braided style, the "saengmeori" was worn by young girls.

Instead of a single braid, it was a braided bun on the head, often worn by children.

This hairstyle was a sign of a girl's transition from childhood to adolescence.

The saengmeori was a cute and practical hairstyle that kept the long hair of young girls neat and out of the way while still adhering to the cultural norm of not cutting hair.

Eolkeunmeori (Married Women's Bun)

The "eolkeunmeori" was a more elaborate version of the jjokjinmeori, often worn by married women in the upper classes, particularly for special occasions.

It was a larger, more structured bun, sometimes with a framework to support it and adorned with multiple binyeo and other ornaments.

This style was a way for noblewomen to display their family's wealth and status within the strict confines of Joseon society.

It was a refined and elegant style, a testament to the artistry of traditional Korean hairstyling.

This style is often seen in historical dramas when portraying a noblewoman attending a formal banquet or ceremony.

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Hairstyles for Men: More Than Just Hair

We can't talk about Korean traditional hairstyles without talking about the men.

For men, hair was just as important, if not more so, than for women.

It was a symbol of their masculinity, social standing, and commitment to their family and ancestors.

Sangtu (The Topknot)

The "sangtu" is the quintessential Korean men's hairstyle.

It was a topknot worn by married men, a powerful symbol of their manhood and their new status as heads of their households.

Before marriage, men would wear their hair in a long braid down their back, similar to young women.

The act of tying one’s hair into a sangtu was a significant rite of passage, a declaration that he had become a man and was ready to take on the responsibilities of marriage and family.

This hairstyle was often held in place by a small headband or a pin called a "gwanja," which could also denote the wearer's social status.

The sangtu was so deeply ingrained in Korean male identity that the 1895 "Danbal-ryeong," or Short Hair Act, which mandated men to cut their hair, was met with massive public outrage and even led to armed rebellions.

It wasn't just about a change in style; it was about an attack on their very identity and cultural values.

For more on the history of the sangtu and the controversy around it, check out this academic article: "Sangtu" from Encyclopedia Britannica.

The Modern Man Bun (and its historical roots)

It's fascinating to see how the "man bun" has become a global trend today, echoing the ancient sangtu!

Of course, the modern version is more of a fashion statement, but its roots are surprisingly similar.

Both styles are a way for men to wear their long hair in a neat, contained style, and in both cases, it was a choice that carried a certain social weight—status in ancient Korea, and a statement of personal style today.

It just goes to show you how history often repeats itself, even in the world of fashion.

Maybe we’re not so different from our ancestors after all.

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Hairstyles of the Upper Class (Yangban)

The upper-class, or "yangban," had access to the most luxurious and intricate hairstyles.

Their hairstyles were a direct reflection of their privileged status, with more elaborate ornaments and more complex styling.

For women, the **gache** was the ultimate status symbol, as we've already discussed, but even after it was banned, their **jjokjinmeori** buns were still more refined and heavily decorated than those of commoners.

They would use expensive materials like jade, gold, and silver for their **binyeo** hairpins, and their hair accessories, such as ribbons and silk flowers, would be of the finest quality.

For yangban men, the **sangtu** was a symbol of their education and high social standing.

Their hats, or "gat," which were worn over the sangtu, were also an important part of their ensemble, and the quality of the hat indicated their rank.

In essence, their hair and its adornments were a visual resume of their life, their family, and their place in society.

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Hairstyles of the Common People

In contrast, the hairstyles of the common people were much simpler and more practical.

They didn't have the luxury of using expensive materials or spending hours on elaborate styles.

Commoner women, both married and unmarried, would wear simple, practical buns or braids.

Their hair accessories were limited to simple wooden or brass pins, and their ribbons were made of plain cloth.

Their hairstyles prioritized function over form, designed to keep hair tidy while they worked in the fields or at home.

Even so, their hairstyles still followed the same rules of social identification; a simple bun at the nape of the neck still meant a woman was married, just as a topknot still meant a man was a husband and a patriarch.

Their hairstyles were a testament to their resilience and their ability to uphold cultural traditions, even without the trappings of wealth.

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FAQ Section: Your Burning Questions Answered


A visual guide to Korean hairstyles through the ages.

1. Why was hair so important in traditional Korean culture?

Hair was considered a gift from one's parents, and according to Confucian beliefs, it was a sign of filial piety to not cut it. It was also a powerful visual indicator of a person's age, social status, and marital status, acting as a kind of social ID.

2. How did the gache wig get so big and why was it banned?

The gache was a status symbol, and its size and weight were directly proportional to the wearer’s wealth. It became so extravagant that some women were said to suffer neck injuries from the weight. It was eventually banned by King Jeongjo in 1788 to curb excessive luxury and social stratification, as the poor would go into debt to buy them to emulate the rich.

3. Did all men in ancient Korea wear a topknot?

No, only married men wore a topknot, or **sangtu**. Unmarried men and boys wore their hair in a long braid down their backs. The sangtu was a symbol of their manhood and marital status, making the act of tying it a significant rite of passage.

4. What's the difference between the hairstyles of royalty and commoners?

The basic styles, such as the chignon or topknot, were the same across social classes. The main difference was in the quality and quantity of hair accessories. Royalty and the upper class used expensive materials like gold, jade, and intricate fabrics, while commoners used simpler materials like wood, brass, and plain cloth. This allowed for social status to be displayed without overtly breaking traditional norms.

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Conclusion: What These Hairstyles Teach Us Today

As we've journeyed through the ages, we've seen that Korean traditional hairstyles were far more than just aesthetics.

They were living documents of a society's values, a language of status, and a testament to the importance of tradition and identity.

From the opulent gache of Joseon queens to the humble braid of a young girl, each hairstyle tells a unique story.

Today, as we see these styles revived in K-dramas and modern fashion, it’s not just a trend; it's a reconnection to a rich and meaningful past.

The next time you see a character in a historical Korean show with a magnificent hairdo, you’ll know it’s not just for show.

It’s a whisper from history, a lesson in culture, and a celebration of a beautiful, intricate art form.

It's a reminder that true style often comes with a story, and the best stories are often the oldest ones.

Gache, Jjokjinmeori, Sangtu, Binyeo, Tenggimeori

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