Scarf-wearing G-Dragon, skirt-clad Jimin: Genderless K-pop takes center stage

XLOV / Courtesy of 257 Entertainment

Men in skirts and bold makeup, women with short hair and ties — genderless fashion is bridging the gap with the public through pop culture. While gender-neutral styles have gained popularity in the fashion industry for years, K-pop has recently welcomed its first fully genderless-concept group. Experts note that this trend is particularly spreading among Generation Z and Generation Alpha (born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s) in various forms.

XLOV debuts as K-pop’s first genderless concept group

Last month, four-member boy group XLOV debuted with the tagline “K-pop’s first genderless concept.” While individual K-pop idols have embraced genderless fashion in the past, XLOV is the first group where all members openly adopt a genderless theme.

Their debut single, “I’mma Be,” was accompanied by a music video in which members wore bold makeup and outfits combining pants and skirts, showcasing gender-fluid aesthetics. Park Jae-yong, CEO of their agency, 257 Entertainment, said, “The members do not identify as genderless in terms of identity — this is simply a concept we chose to differentiate ourselves from other groups. Our goal was to express beauty without gender boundaries.”

BTS member Jimin wears a skirt over pants and boots. Captured from official BTS social media account

G-Dragon and Jimin: K-pop pioneers of genderless fashion

K-pop artists have long experimented with gender-fluid styles, with BIGBANG’s G-Dragon recognized as a trailblazer. Known for his daring fashion choices, G-Dragon recently sparked buzz with his so-called “grandmother” fashion style during his comeback.

BTS’ Jimin and SHINee’s Taemin are also leading figures in genderless K-pop fashion. Taemin, in particular, has integrated genderless concepts into his music and performance, influencing the industry. When promoting his 2023 song “Guilty,” he appeared on BTS’ YouTube channel and said, “I wanted to create something electrifying yet convincing, without making it feel overwhelming.”

BIGBANG’s G-Dragon wears a scarf on his head and a red cardigan as he departs for Hong Kong via Incheon International Airport on Nov. 4, 2024. Newsis.

Global impact: Genderless identities in Western, Japanese music

The genderless movement is not limited to fashion — it has extended to personal identity in global pop culture. Several Western artists, including Kehlani, Demi Lovato and Arca, have publicly identified as nonbinary and prefer “they/them” pronouns instead of gendered ones. In Japan, top singer Hikaru Utada came out as nonbinary four years ago.

Singer Taemin / Courtesy of Bigplanetmade Entertainment

Men in Uggs, women in menswear

Beyond gender identity, genderless fashion is increasingly becoming a mainstream cultural trend rather than a niche preference. One prominent example is the rising popularity of Ugg boots among young men. Uggs is a brand traditionally associated with women.

According to Shinsegae International, the importer of Ugg in Korea, sales to male customers between January and November last year surged by 138 percent compared to the same period in the previous year. Meanwhile, LF’s menswear brand His Hazzys saw a 38 percent increase in sales to female customers during the same period.

The shift is also reflected in corporate policies. Hyundai Department Store recently removed gender labels from its fashion sourcing categories, while Hanwha Hotels & Resorts introduced gender-neutral staff uniforms under a “genderless” design approach.

As K-pop continues to engage with a global Gen Z and Alpha audience, experts predict the genderless trend will expand further. Music critic Park Hee-ah said, “In the early days of K-pop, male idols performing feminine choreography or fashion were often met with negativity or treated as a joke. However, as G-Dragon consistently pushes genderless fashion and Taemin incorporates it into his music and dance, this culture is expected to grow even further within K-pop.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.