8 Konglish Korean Hairstyles & Haircuts for Men — 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 visit both salons and barbershops, and you'll hear lots of English-looking words that don’t always match what native speakers say. From "투블럭컷" to "다운펌," let’s see how these Konglish hairstyle and haircut terms really work — and what they mean in English.



💜 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)

Translation
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 (two-block cut), but in English it’s just an undercut. It means the sides and back are cut short, while the top is left long. So if you hear “투블럭 했어,” it means “I got an undercut.”

  • 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)

Translation
A: My side hair sticks up too much, can you do a perm to keep it flat?
B: Sure, I’ll smooth it down for you.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 다운펌 means a perm done only on the sides to keep the hair flat. In English, people don’t say “down perm.” You’d describe it as “a perm to flatten the sides.” However, if you say 다운펌 in a Korean hair salon, they’ll understand you right away.

  • 다운펌 (down perm) = perm to flatten 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)

Translation
A: Should I try a neat short cut this time?
B: Yeah, it’s the cleanest and most classic look.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 댄디컷 refers to a neat, simple short cut — often parted or slightly styled. There isn’t a direct English word for this. You’d just say “short cut” or “classic men’s haircut.” And if you ask for a 댄디컷 with a 다운펌 at a Korean salon, they’ll know exactly what you mean.

  • 댄디컷 (dandy cut) = neat short cut


💜 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)

Translation
A: Do you want me to put some hair wax on?
B: Yes, just a little please.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, people say 왁스 for hair styling products. In English, you’d say “hair wax” or just “styling product,” not simply “wax.” But in Korea, everyone just calls it 왁스, and the stylist will understand right away.

  • 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)

Translation
A: Should I try a short slick-back perm?
B: Yes, we’ll lift the front hair, smooth the sides with a 다운펌, and create a clean head shape.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 리젠트펌 means styling the front hair up with a perm for a neat, classic look. It usually includes: – correcting roots that stick up by flattening them downward, – naturally lifting the bangs upward, – and pressing the side hair flat with a 다운펌 to tidy the head shape. Compared to the Western pompadour, it’s shorter, cleaner, and more structured.
👉 In English, you could describe it as a short slick-back perm or a shorter pompadour-style cut with side control. At a Korean salon, just ask for a 리젠트펌 and they’ll know this exact process.

  • 리젠트펌 (Regent perm) = short slick-back perm / shorter pompadour-style perm 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)

Translation
A: Is the pomade style with a perm popular these days?
B: Yes, it goes well with suits, so many people get it.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 포마드펌 means a perm styled so it looks sleek with pomade. In English, you’d just say “pomade style with perm.” “Pomade perm” isn’t a phrase English speakers use. But if you want a pomade style in Korea, just ask for a 포마드펌 or 포마드컷 at the salon.

  • 포마드펌 (pomade perm) = pomade style perm


💜 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)

Translation
A: I’m thinking of trying that soft wavy perm this time.
B: I think it’ll suit you. It’s really popular now.


💛 Story Note
The 애즈펌 is a modern Korean hairstyle where the front hair curves slightly in an S-shape to frame the face. There’s no single English word for it, so you can describe it as a soft face-framing perm. So if you hear someone say “애즈펌,” think of a gentle, face-framing wave style. It’s also a very popular look among Korean male idols and actors, which makes it trendy and recognizable.

  • 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)

Translation
A: Please give me a short crew cut.
B: Sure, I’ll cut it nice and clean.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 스포츠컷 means a very short men’s cut, often for students or athletes. In English, you’d say crew cut or buzz cut, depending on length. So if you hear “스포츠머리” or “스포츠컷” — it’s just a short, simple cut. You’ve probably also seen many K-pop idols getting this haircut before they enlist in the military.

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


💜 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 be ready to understand and even join the conversation ^^

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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