Wired earphones over AirPods as Gen Z revives retro trend

BLACKPINK’s Jennie shares a photo on social media wearing wired earphones after a concert in Barcelona, Wednesday. Captured from her Instagram

Once dismissed as outdated after the rise of wireless earbuds, wired earphones are making a comeback as a hip fashion accessory, blending practicality with retro flair.

Industry officials said on Monday that the popularity of wired earphones began to wane in 2016 when Apple launched its AirPods.

The move triggered a surge in wireless earbud competition from Samsung, LG and others, while smartphone makers’ removal of the 3.5-millimeter jack was seen as a symbolic end to wired earphones.

The trend, however, is shifting. BLACKPINK’s Jennie drew attention when she posted a photo of herself wearing wired earphones on social media on Aug. 20, after a concert in Barcelona, opting for a vintage aesthetic over Bluetooth convenience.

She had previously been spotted at Incheon International Airport with wired earphones as well.

Fellow group member Rose also revealed her preference during an interview with Vogue, pulling a pair of wired earphones from her bag and saying she favored the “classic wired style.”

Other stars, including actors Han So-hee and Moon Ga-young and singer Lee Hyo-ri, have also often been spotted in public wearing a wired earphone in one ear.

High-end brands are seizing on the trend. Chanel last year introduced the Premiere Sound Watch, a hybrid of a watch, necklace and earphones.

Despite its steep price tag of 20.3 million won ($15,000), it was hailed as a symbol of technology-meets-fashion and elevated wired earphones to the status of a luxury accessory.

Chanel's Premiere Sound Watch, a high-end tech accessory combining a watch, necklace and wired earphones / Courtesy of Chanel

‘Chosen inconvenience’ and new nostalgia

Observers say the revival of wired earphones is less about technology and more about a generational shift in taste and identity.

“Gen Z and Gen Alpha reinterpret iconic objects of the past through a ‘new retro’ lens as a form of self-expression,” one culture expert said. “The long cable is no longer just a function but part of the style, giving a necklace-like silhouette or a visual accent.”

“If wireless earbuds represented technological progress, wired earphones are being reimagined as icons of ‘chosen inconvenience’ and ‘romantic analog,’” the expert added.

Others point to the paradox of analog values gaining appeal in an age of high technology. Wired earphones require no charging and offer stable sound transmission, leading some to argue they represent a more “complete technology” than their wireless counterparts.

“They have evolved into trendy items that satisfy both practicality and individuality,” another expert said.

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