When it comes to Korean fashion, some of the pieces that often come to our minds are pleated skirts, white sneakers, trench coats, and floral dresses that emanate casual class and elegance. But have you ever wondered how South Korea’s fashion scene experiments with accessories? In particular, glasses are something we often forget in styling but they unknowingly transform our overall demeanor. And with that said, we’ll dive into the Korean eyewear game to see just how our favorite idols rock spectacles in modern times!
From metal specs, cat eye lenses, and classic black shades, the Korean sunglasses and eyeglasses trends of 2022 do not fall short of stylish frames that each give a totally different mood to any ensemble. Fake glasses or not, summer or not, we’re here to show you how you can amplify your clothing game with cop-worthy specs.
Read on and ready your sunnies because the Korean idols on this list are sure to dazzle in their very own eyewear!
Table of Contents
1. Light Wire Glasses
To start off our list of the trendiest Korean eyeglasses, these wire-rimmed frames in clear or silver finishes are a popular choice for idols and even fans who want fashionably subtle and lightweight eyewear. While pairs of this type are often tagged as “granny glasses” for their vintage look, it’s safe to say that these light metal glasses stood the test of time with their effortless chic. They are versatile, minimalist, and even cute–perfect for everyday wear!
Former 2NE1 member Dara and Red Velvet’s Irene are some Korean artists who definitely rock the light wire glasses for their daily ensembles. On the contrary, they looked even cuter and more youthful with these retro specs. It’s clear why fans often snatch a photo of their idols wearing this frame during fan sign events!
2. Dark Circular Wire Spectacles
Another fan-favorite pair of glasses are the distinct circular wire frames in black or dark brown. These Harry Potter-inspired spectacles are extremely popular that even Korean selfie (or selca) apps have these as an adorable filter. While this frame is also minimalist and suitable for all getups, we particularly love how its dark finish matches natural Asian hair colors. Even without a wand in hand, this style easily gives a smart and scholarly vibe!
You can see how TWICE’s Dahyun dons this pair of specs with her elegant and vintage outfits. Undeniably, simply putting on this quirky rounded pair can give our favorite Korean idols a classy academic and genius look. This is also the reason why the rest of TWICE’s members in their “Scientist” music video can be seen sporting similar frames.
3. Thick-Rimmed Black Eyeglasses
For the hipster crowd, there’s nothing that makes a bolder statement than a pair of thick-rimmed black eyeglasses. Korean idols tend to resort to these statement glasses to create an eye-catching and confident appearance. While some may use this pair for a fun and funky vibe (think the humorous Groucho glasses for disguise), it’s also a staple piece for those who want to look strong, professional, and knowledgeable.
For example, Dara sported these iconic black glasses for a fierce, elegant, and competent ensemble. We could nearly forget her fun and youthful personality with this dapper piece. On the other hand, TWICE’s Nayeon made sure that her bubbly nature was still intact even with her bold spectacles.
4. Browline Frames
Browline frames, which are also called club masters, are another stylish design that can give you a professional spin that speaks “business.” The bolder upper portion and the rimless lower part of browline glasses create a stylish balance between bold and simple. While it is not the most popular frame among K-pop idols, we’ve seen some effortlessly sport this with both clear and tinted lenses. That says a lot about its elegant usability for every occasion!
However playful, ITZY’s Yeji managed to channel a serious demeanor with a pair (or three) of clubmasters that defined her brows. If you want the sunnies version, TWICE’s Momo didn’t fail to look cool and confident with black browline shades to match her monochromatic outfit.
5. Thick-Rimmed White Sunglasses
On our list of Korean sunglasses, what screams summer louder and bolder than any other is definitely a pair of thick-rimmed white shades. Essentially yin and yang materialized, these hot sunnies are also a desirable balance between white and black, making it easy to incorporate into almost any ensemble. A lot of Korean idols are featuring this pair in their trips so it has definitely become a fashion staple for its clean look.
In particular, some of these K-pop artists include BLACKPINK’s Jennie and Dara who seamlessly included these white sunglasses in their casual, modern, and even street-style fits. Despite how cool and edgy these sunnies made them, we can’t deny that the light finish also brightened their overall appearance.
6. Cat Eye Specs
Before we’ve caught up with the cat eyeliner trend, upturned silhouettes have already been booming with cat-eye sunnies. As a classic retro piece, cat-eye frames give a guaranteed statement with their winged upper edges. They surely give a glamorous, unfazed, and girl-boss touch, whether or not you’re wearing an executive’s outfit. With that said, this winged pair is more popular among women, not only Koreans, for its feminine (and feline) hint.
For example, TWICE’s Nayeon rocked her yellow cat-eye sunnies with a cute yellow crop top. Still, Red Velvet’s Seulgi’s baggy ensemble was also on-point and balanced by her black winged shades complementing her bold red lipstick for a lady look.
7. Bug Eye Lenses
In the Kpop industry, bug-eye lenses are making waves for their quirky nature that fits bold and adventurous concepts. As they often come nearly round and oversized, these XL shades are for idols aiming for a strong presence that’s much closer to classic Western fashion. They may not be the easiest to style with, but you will definitely make an unforgettable statement by nailing this, especially in streetwear.
To name a few K-pop artists that are unapologetically fearless in terms of fashion, BLACKPINK’s Lisa and Dara pull off these bug-eye sunnies for their eclectic fits. Even in neutral colors like black and white, these sunglasses prove that even minor differences in size and shape can unpredictably transform your overall vibe.
8. Gold-Rimmed Sunnies
Truly, perhaps except for diamonds, nothing is deemed to be more elegant and fancy than gold itself. Gold-rimmed sunnies are excellent proof that this shiny and classy finish may never go out of style. Common among aviators and wire-rimmed eyewear, a subtle touch of gold is a timeless classic when it comes to fashion accessories. It’s one of the reasons why the luxury fashion houses represented by our idols still rely on gold-rimmed sunnies.
As an example, BLACKPINK’s Lisa shows her cool yet refined side by accessorizing with gold oval shades that perfectly match her golden bag chain. And for a fun trip to Disneyland, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo rocks her oversized gold-rimmed frame with her casual ensemble.
9. Full Jet Black Shades
Anyone could never go wrong with a pair of jet-black shades that are definitely a “must” in a K-pop idol’s wardrobe. Despite wearing bizarre and even haute couture fits, at the end of the day, idols still resort to simple black sunnies just like the majority. It’s probably one of the most relatable fashion pieces that fans have for good reasons. Primarily, black shades are cool, sleek, and even minimalist–but never short of statement.
For instance, Dara channels the classic streetwear look with winged black shades and a baseball cap. On the other hand, BLACKPINK’s Jennie creates a feminine and futuristic look with seamless rectangular black sunnies that pair perfectly with her white fitted top.
10. Embellished Eyewear
If you really want to go all-out and fancy, the last piece on our roster of Korean sunglasses is embellished eyewear. Here, we’re talking about studs, diamonds, crystals, jewels, beads, and rhinestones–all sparkly features that will give you a major pizzazz. Feel like a phenomenal K-pop idol on stage by donning embellished sunnies that are fit for major performances. If you don’t want to add more accessories to your ensemble, sparkly frames alone can do the trick for you.
BLACKPINK’s Jennie wowed us fans with embellished sunnies for a popular South Korean sunglasses brand. Her simple buttoned top and necktie were definitely spiced up with one statement pair of studded shades. If you’re simply aiming for a glamorous appearance and not functionality, feel free to cop TWICE’s Momo’s entirely studded glasses that resonate with the McBling aesthetic.
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Did you have fun feasting your eyes on these Korean eyeglasses and sunglasses trends? We hope you got some inspiration from these K-idols on how to accessorize with spectacles even if the sun rays and even your eyesight don’t require so! Truly, there are lots of iconic styles that you can try yourself simply with a pair of specs or sunnies!
For more reads on Korean fashion, you can visit our Korean summer fashion trends for 2022 as well as our Kpop casual outfit ideas so you’ll know the perfect complements for your eyewear.
As always, thanks for reading and happy shopping!