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Love it or hate it: why is 2000s fashion so controversial in K-pop? Blackpink’s Jennie and Girls’ Generation’s Yoona show off the style on Instagram, but not all millennials and Gen Zs are on board
STORYEunshol Yang
- The Y2K trend set by 2000s icons like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera is making a comeback in the US, but why is it frowned upon by some in South Korea?
- Le Sserafim’s Kim Chae-won, (G)I-dle’s Jeon So-yeon, Girls’ Generation’s Yoona and Iz*One’s Wonyoung all don the styles though, from underboob crop tops to vintage sunnies
In recent years, the Y2K (Year 2000) fashion trend has made an unexpected return. Recreating the late 90s to mid-2000s style rocked by OG icons from Paris Hilton and Christina Aguilera to Britney Spears, it can involve old-school pieces like crop tops, chunky sandals and tracksuits.
Celebrities like Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber are some of today’s Y2K dressers who have been making waves in the fashion world, and subsequently influencing youngsters to follow suit.
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Starting from the end of 2021, the Y2K fashion trend has permeated Korean culture through influential K-pop trendsetters like Blackpink’s Jennie. Jennie posted pictures of herself on Instagram wearing Y2K-inspired fashion, with her green Juicy Couture tracksuit.
She was also spotted wearing an underboob top – a recreation of crop tops from Y2K fashion days – with a low-rise skirt at the Jacquemus fashion show, bringing the retro style over to Korean fans.
Although many Gen Zs have jumped onto the trend, it’s not sat well with everyone in the “Generation MZ” crowd, a term that counts millennials and Gen Zs as one group. South Korea also has distinct differences in taste from other consumer markets.
So, why is the Y2K trend so controversial among the young “Generation MZ” crowd of South Korea?