In today's K-pop industry, showing underwear has transformed from an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction into a deliberate fashion statement. Young K-pop idols are increasingly embracing the sagging trend, where pants are worn low enough to reveal the waistband of undergarments, marking a significant revival of this Y2K-era style.
The sagging look originally gained popularity during the 1990s and early 2000s, becoming closely associated with the Y2K fashion era. Many people from that generation have vivid memories of the trend's first wave. Park Jung-min, a 34-year-old, recalled his experience with the style: "I remember Justin Bieber always wearing his pants this way in paparazzi shots. I used to mimic the look, but it wasn't easy. I walked uncomfortably."
During its original run, the trend faced criticism in Korea, with some people jokingly comparing it to looking like someone had soiled themselves. Many millennials from that era mockingly referred to the style as the "poop-in-the-pants look," reflecting the mixed reception it received at the time.
However, the current revival among K-pop stars is undeniable and gaining significant momentum. Jennie from Blackpink, widely recognized as a fashion icon, has fully embraced the trend by pairing a red cropped top with black parachute pants, deliberately allowing her matching red underwear to peek out above her pants. This bold styling choice has garnered considerable attention from fans and fashion observers alike.
Members of aespa have also joined the movement, with both Karina and Giselle styling their outfits to showcase the elastic bands or lace trim of their underwear. Their deliberate styling choices quickly went viral among their fanbase, demonstrating the trend's growing acceptance. Additionally, Natty from the girl group Kiss of Life has participated in the trend by posting Instagram photos with her pants unbuttoned to reveal portions of her underwear's waistband.
Perhaps the most experimental approach to this trend comes from Tarzzan of the boy band All Day Project. Known for his bold and innovative styling choices, he has been frequently spotted layering different types of underwear in contrasting prints, sometimes even coordinating them with his outer garments to create cohesive yet daring looks.
Despite its popularity among celebrities, the trend has received mixed reactions from the general public. One online comment under an article discussing the trend noted: "If a celebrity wears it, it's fashion. If a regular person does it, it just looks weird." Another commenter was more direct in their criticism, stating: "If someone showed up dressed like that in real life? I'd think they lost their mind."
The underwear-as-fashion movement extends beyond just visible waistbands to include tops that resemble intimate apparel. Rose from Blackpink recently posted Instagram photos wearing a lace camisole, perfectly embodying the "underwear, but make it fashion" aesthetic that has become increasingly popular among young consumers.
Fashion industry professionals have taken notice of this growing trend among younger demographics. A fashion industry insider explained to The Korea Herald: "We're seeing more Gen Z consumers embrace underwear not just for its function, but as a styling piece like Rose." This shift represents a fundamental change in how intimate apparel is perceived and utilized in fashion.
The commercial impact of this trend is already becoming evident in retail sales data. According to Korean fashion company E-Land World, sales in the homewear category of its women's lingerie brand Evelyn, which includes stylish, lingerie-inspired clothing, increased nearly tenfold from January to July compared to the same period in the previous year. This dramatic sales increase demonstrates the significant consumer interest in underwear-inspired fashion pieces and suggests that the trend may have lasting commercial viability beyond its current viral moment.
