In recent years, an unexpected hairstyle has become popular again in Asian culture – the mullet. The mullet was once seen as a bad hairstyle in the West. But now, trendy people across Asia are wearing it as a cool, modern look.
Leading this new mullet style are Asian pop stars and actors. They have different versions of the mullet cut. The look usually has shaved or very short hair on the sides, with long hair hanging in the back. Popular Korean actors like Park Seo-joon and Lee Jong-suk have been seen wearing mullet styles on red carpets and in music videos.
One key to pulling off the Asian mullet is in the haircut itself. The look works best with lots of texture and a messy style, rather than straight hair. This gives it a cool, slightly untidy vibe that fits with the rebellious roots of the mullet. Men with longer, oval or diamond-shaped faces also tend to look good with this style as it brings out their angles.
But the mullet has moved beyond just the entertainment world too. The look has become very popular among young, fashion-conscious Asian men looking to make a statement. And it has become a regular sight in Korea’s street fashion and cafe scenes.
So what has brought back this hairstyle that was hated in the 80s? Many point to its use in popular anime and manga characters like Yusuke Urameshi from Yu Yu Hakusho or Gon Freecs from Hunter x Hunter. The spiky, edgy hairstyles have helped make these looks popular and accepted among younger people.
As one Seoul hairstylist says, “Guys these days think the mullet look is really cool. It’s edgy but still fun. And its roots in anime culture give it a fresh, regional twist.”
Only time will tell if the Asian mullet is just a passing fashion trend or if it will stick around as a stylish international look. But for now, this iconic haircut is having its big moment again, reminding us that old styles can always be reimagined.
