8 Konglish Korean Men’s Haircuts & Hairstyles — From Two-Block Cut (투블럭컷) to Down Perm (다운펌)

💝 Lost in Translation? Konglish Korean Hair Terms – Part 6: Men’s Hairstyles & Haircuts


Illustration of Konglish Korean hairstyles for men, including Two-Block Cut, Down Perm, Dandy Cut, and Regent Perm

안녕하세요. I'm Hangeulia ^-^

Now it’s time for the guys ✂️ In Korea, men often go to both salons and barbershops, and you’ll hear lots of English-looking words that don’t always match what native English speakers actually say.

In this post, you’ll learn:
– what each term means in Korea,
– how to say it in natural English, and
– what to tell a stylist when you want a specific look.

From 투블럭컷 to 다운펌, let’s decode the most common Korean men’s haircut & hairstyle terms together ^^



💜 Two-Block Cut (투블럭컷)


Korean two-block cut hairstyle with short sides and longer top
The trendy two-block cut with trimmed sides and back, leaving the top longer.

Situation
Two friends at the barbershop.

Dialogue
A: 이번에는 투블럭컷 하려고.
(i-beon-e-neun tu-beul-reok-keot ha-ryeo-go)
B: 잘 어울리겠다. 요즘 유행이지.
(jal eo-ul-li-get-da. yo-jeum yu-haeng-i-ji)

Natural English
A: I’m thinking of getting an undercut this time.
B: That’ll look good on you. It’s trendy these days.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, people say 투블럭컷, but in English it’s usually called an undercut. It means the sides and back are cut short while the top stays longer.
👉 In Korea, the “two-block” often keeps the top a bit heavier and more rounded than some Western undercuts.

  • 투블럭컷 (two-block cut) = undercut


💜 Down Perm (다운펌)


Korean down perm hairstyle to flatten side hair
A down perm, often used to tame side hair and keep the style neat.

Situation
A customer talking to the stylist.

Dialogue
A: 옆머리가 너무 떠서 다운펌 해주세요.
(yeop-meo-ri-ga neo-mu tteu-seo da-un-peom hae-ju-se-yo)
B: 네, 옆머리 눌러드릴게요.
(ne, yeop-meo-ri nul-leo-deu-ril-kke-yo)

Natural English
A: My side hair sticks out too much—can you smooth the sides down?
B: Sure. I’ll press it down for you.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 다운펌 is a treatment done mainly on the sides to keep hair lying flat. It’s more like side control / side smoothing than a “curly perm.”
👉 It usually lasts a few weeks, depending on your hair type and how fast it grows.

  • 다운펌 (down perm) = side-smoothing treatment / perm to flatten the sides


💜 Dandy Cut (댄디컷)


Korean dandy cut hairstyle with neat bangs and clean lines
A dandy cut, known in Korea for its clean and modern look with natural bangs.

Situation
Two friends talking about hairstyle choices.

Dialogue
A: 이번엔 댄디컷 해볼까?
(i-beon-en daen-di-keot hae-bol-kka?)
B: 응, 그게 제일 무난하고 깔끔해.
(eung, geu-ge je-il mu-nan-ha-go kkal-kkeum-hae)

Natural English
A: Should I try a clean, classic short cut this time?
B: Yeah, it’s the safest and neatest look.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 댄디컷 usually means a neat, simple short haircut—often with a tidy fringe or a soft side part. There isn’t one perfect English word for it, so you can describe it as: a classic short haircut or a clean fringe/side-part cut.

  • 댄디컷 (dandy cut) = classic short haircut (neat fringe/side part)


💜 Wax (왁스)


Situation
Styling at the barbershop.

Dialogue
A: 머리에 왁스 발라드릴까요?
(meo-ri-e wak-seu bal-la-deu-ril-kka-yo?)
B: 네, 살짝만 해주세요.
(ne, sal-jjak-man hae-ju-se-yo)

Natural English
A: Do you want me to put some hair wax in?
B: Yes—just a little, please.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, many styling products are casually called 왁스. In English, people might say hair wax, styling clay, paste, or pomade depending on the texture— but in Korea, “왁스” is the everyday word.

  • 왁스 (wax) = hair wax / styling product


💜 Regent Perm (리젠트펌)


Korean Regent perm hairstyle with slicked-back front hair and side down perm
리젠트펌 (Regent Perm) — a short slick-back style with lifted bangs, side down perm, and root correction for a clean head shape

Situation
A customer talking with the stylist about styling options.

Dialogue
A: 리젠트펌으로 해볼까요?
(ri-jen-teu-peom-eu-ro hae-bol-kka-yo?)
B: 네, 앞머리를 올리고 옆머리는 다운펌으로 눌러주면 깔끔한 라인이 돼요.
(ne, ap-meo-ri-reul ol-li-go yeop-meo-ri-neun da-un-peom-eu-ro nul-leo-ju-myeon kkal-kkeum-han ra-in-i dwae-yo)

Natural English
A: Should I try a short slick-back perm?
B: Yes—we’ll lift the front, smooth the sides down, and shape it neatly.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 리젠트펌 is a neat, structured slick-back style. It often includes:
– lifting the front/bangs upward,
– controlling side hair with a 다운펌,
– and shaping the head line cleanly.

👉 In natural English, you can describe it as a short slick-back style with side control or a shorter pompadour-inspired look.

  • 리젠트펌 (Regent perm) = short slick-back style with side control


💜 Pomade Perm (포마드펌)


Korean pomade perm hairstyle slicked back neatly
A pomade perm, styled back with volume for a polished, masculine look.

Situation
A customer asking about styles.

Dialogue
A: 요즘 포마드펌 많이 하죠?
(yo-jeum po-ma-deu-peom ma-ni ha-jyo?)
B: 네, 정장에도 잘 어울려서 인기가 많아요.
(ne, jeong-jang-e-do jal eo-ul-lyeo-seo in-gi-ga man-a-yo)

Natural English
A: Is that slick-back pomade style popular these days?
B: Yes—it looks great with suits, so many people get it.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 포마드펌 means a perm styled to look sleek with pomade. In English, “pomade perm” isn’t a common phrase. You can describe it as a slick-back style with perm texture or a pomade-styled perm look.

  • 포마드펌 (pomade perm) = slick-back style with perm texture


💜 As Perm (애즈펌)


Korean as perm (애즈펌) hairstyle with soft natural waves
The as perm, creating natural, wavy texture for a relaxed style.

Situation
Two friends discussing trendy perms.

Dialogue
A: 이번엔 애즈펌 해볼까 해.
(i-beon-en ae-jeu-peom hae-bol-kka hae)
B: 잘 어울릴 것 같아. 요즘 인기 많잖아.
(jal eo-ul-lil geot gat-a. yo-jeum in-gi man-jana)

Natural English
A: I’m thinking of trying that soft face-framing perm this time.
B: I think it’ll suit you. It’s really popular right now.


💛 Story Note
애즈펌 is a modern Korean perm where the front curves gently to frame the face. There’s no single English word for it, so “soft face-framing perm” is the clearest description.
👉 If you’re at a Korean salon, you can simply say “애즈펌” — it’s a standard menu term.

  • 애즈펌 (as perm) = soft face-framing perm


💜 Sports Cut (스포츠컷)


Korean sports cut hairstyle short and clean
Sports Cut (스포츠컷) — a simple, clean haircut often seen on students and athletes

Situation
A customer asks for a haircut.

Dialogue
A: 짧게 스포츠컷으로 해주세요.
(jjal-ge seu-po-cheu-keot-eu-ro hae-ju-se-yo)
B: 네, 시원하게 잘라드릴게요.
(ne, si-won-ha-ge jal-la-deu-ril-kke-yo)

Natural English
A: Please give me a short crew cut.
B: Sure—I’ll cut it nice and clean.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 스포츠컷 is a very short men’s cut. In English, you’d say crew cut or buzz cut, depending on the length.
👉 A crew cut usually keeps a bit more length on top; a buzz cut is very short and even all over.

  • 스포츠컷 (sports cut) = crew cut / buzz cut


💜 FAQ: Korean Men’s Hairstyles & Salon Tips


Q1) Can I ask for these styles in English at a Korean salon?

Yes — but using the Korean term is much easier. If you say 투블럭컷 (two-block cut) or 다운펌 (down perm), stylists understand immediately. In English, you can describe the style, but showing the Korean word or a photo works best. ^^


Q2) What’s the difference between a Korean two-block cut and a Western undercut?

They’re similar, but not exactly the same. A Korean two-block cut usually keeps the top heavier and rounder, while Western undercuts tend to have sharper contrast between the sides and the top.


Q3) Is a down perm damaging? And how long does it last?

A down perm is lighter than a full perm. It’s mainly used to press side hair down, not to create curls. Results usually last about 2–4 weeks, depending on hair growth and texture.


Q4) What’s the safest men’s haircut to try in Korea if I’m not sure?

If you’re unsure, ask for a 댄디컷 (dandy cut). It’s neat, simple, and works well for most face shapes. Many Korean men choose it as a “default” haircut.


Q5) Regent perm vs pomade perm — what’s the difference?

Both are slick-back styles, but they give slightly different impressions:

  • Regent perm (리젠트펌): shorter, cleaner, and more structured
  • Pomade perm (포마드펌): styled with shine, slightly longer, and more classic

Q6) Are these hairstyles common among K-pop idols?

Yes! Styles like 애즈펌 (as perm), 투블럭컷, and 리젠트펌 are very common among K-pop idols and actors. That’s why these terms are so widely used in everyday Korean salons.



💜 Quick Recap


Recap of Konglish Korean men’s hairstyles & Haircuts: Two-Block Cut, Down Perm, Dandy Cut, Wax, Regent Perm, Pomade Perm, As Perm, Sports Cut

  • 투블럭컷 (two-block cut) = undercut
  • 다운펌 (down perm) = perm to flatten sides
  • 댄디컷 (dandy cut) = neat short cut
  • 왁스 (wax) = hair wax / styling product
  • 리젠트펌 (Regent perm) = short slick-back perm / shorter pompadour-style perm with side control
  • 포마드펌 (pomade perm) = pomade style perm
  • 애즈펌 (as perm) = soft face-framing perm
  • 스포츠컷 (sports cut) = crew cut / buzz cut

These are the most common Korean hairstyle terms for men you’ll hear in salons and barbershops.



💜 Final Thoughts

That’s our men’s hairstyle Konglish set ✂️ Now you know what Koreans mean when they say “투블럭컷,” “다운펌,” or “스포츠컷.” Next time you visit a Korean salon, you’ll understand the terms—and you can even show the Korean word on your phone for clarity ^^

With love,
한글리아 😊



Part 6 of the Konglish series — ← Previous: Part 5. 8 Konglish Korean Hairstyles for Women — From Magic Perm (매직펌) to Hippie Perm (히피펌) | Next: Part 7. 7 Konglish Korean Clothing Terms — From Paeding (패딩) to Hoodeu-T (후드티)

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