2NE1 sets the template
Stepping off the be-liked-for-being-cute track, a group presented a version of womanhood that stood on strength.
Style encyclopedia
걸크러쉬Girl crush
Origin/South KoreaCountry
Strength that does not seek approval, worn rather than declared. It came out of the K-pop stage into everyday dressing.
Where it began
A K-pop term for a woman other women want to be. 2NE1 built the template; BLACKPINK, (G)I-DLE and others carried it forward. The point is not to be found cute by men but to be admired by other women — strength rather than sweetness.
How it spread
What was first presented as an image of women on stage moved directly into street wear. It is usually discussed as the exact counterpart to the cheongsun 'pure' look.
How to recognise it
Hard palettes built on black and red, leather and denim, straight rigid silhouettes. It pushes through the hardness of material rather than ornament.
What it costs
¥4,000–25,000. One strong outer layer decides the whole outfit, so concentrating the budget there is efficient.
Timeline
How it differs by place
Korea — volume above, extremes below
Winter onlyAn oversized top, then either a very short bottom answered by tall boots, or wide denim straight through. If the top is long enough, the bottom disappears entirely. In winter a furred outer and tall boots widen the volume gap further, with one leopard or camo piece as the accent.
China — one pale piece against the black
Spring onlyA black pleated mini with white socks and black loafers is the frame. A pale blue shirt worn loose sits on top — it is not meant to be black throughout. Outerwear is a short utility jacket or a three-stripe track top. Small structured bag. Rather than winter's volume, it works through hem length and the white of the socks.
Era
mid 2010s – now
Price range
¥4,000–25,000
Dominant
Key brands
MARDI MERCREDI · chuu · rienda · RESEXXY · LIP SERVICE · ADER error
Headings are written in the language of the style's place of origin.