Y2K Trend Dominating the Fashion Industry

Loose Bottoms, Soccer Uniforms Resurface as Popular Items from the 2000s

Cargo Pants, Keyrings Gain Popularity

Following the 'Y2K Trend', fashion items popular from the late 1990s to the early 2000s are making a comeback. Like the saying 'what goes around comes around', products filled with retro vibes such as cargo pants, soccer uniforms, keyrings, and more are emerging in large numbers. Moreover, the Y2K craze is even taking over fashion advertising, showing no signs of waning in popularity.

[Photo Description: (From left) Lucky Chouette, Couronne, Archivepke]

■ Kitschy Charm Not to be Missed in Y2K: Keyring & Charm Trend

Fueled by the Y2K trend and the Kidult craze, 'Keyring Fashion' is in vogue. Women's young character casual brand ‘Lucky Chouette’, developed by Kolon FnC, recently launched a new line 'Lucky Chou', meaning 'happy cabbage', introducing a new character covered in green fur with a nose, targeting the Gen-Z generation. Keyring dolls from the Lucky Chou line are quickly becoming popular items, meshing well with the Y2K trend. Especially, the cabbage character has received a hot response; the t-shirts sold nearly 100% of their stock within less than a month of launching, becoming a hot seller to the extent of needing reorders.

Small and cute charms that can add a point to bags are also popular. Women's handbag brand ‘Couronne’ by Kolon FnC collaborated with the famous Seochon cafe 'Victoria Bakery' to launch five types of bakery-shaped charms. Cream cakes, donuts, brunch plates and jelly mushrooms are crafted into three-dimensional charms, adding style and fun. In addition, the shoe and bag brand ‘Archivepke’, known for its refined taste and unique sensibility, has created the 'Mini Fling Keyring'. This miniature rendition of the brand’s signature Fling bag in a keychain form allows it to be hung on bags as a stylish accessory.

[Photo Description: (From left) Women's cargo pants by Epigram, soccer t-shirt by SadsMile]

■ The Resurgence of Cargo Pants with Pockets… Soccer Uniforms 'Blokecore' Popular

Loose bottoms paired with form-fitting tops are trending, bringing cargo pants, popular in the 2000s, back into trend. The lifestyle brand ‘Epigram’ by Kolon Industry FnC Division features women's cargo pants characterized by three-dimensional out pockets highlighting the pocket details. Made from a cotton blend, these pants are popular for their stretchiness and versatile casual design.

‘Blokecore’, inspired by uniforms, is also driving the Y2K trend. 'Blokecore' combines the terms 'Bloke' and 'Normcore', referring to styles that incorporate soccer uniforms into everyday fashion items. The men's clothing brand ‘Customellow’ by Kolon FnC, through its online main line 'SadsMile', launched the 'SadsMile Soccer T-shirt' in collaboration with Peperoni Seoul, reflecting the Blokecore trend. The soccer t-shirt, released in early June, has been so well-received that it ranked first in online sales among all collaboration products. Pairing this roomy, sporty jersey t-shirt with trendy cargo pants and sunglasses can fully evoke the Y2K vibe.

■ Jo Sung-mo's 'To Heaven' Again! Y2K Concept Conquers Advertising

Kolon FnC's shopping platform 'Kolon Mall' featured a campaign video 'Y2K (Year 2 Kolon mall) - 'To Heaven' Music Drama and Two Short Forms', inspired by the popular song 'To Heaven' by singer Jo Sung-mo. This campaign adopts the Y2K concept, interpreting Y2(Two)K as 'Year To Kolon', and invokes nostalgia with scenes parodying popular films like 'Classic' and 'Temptation of Wolves' from that era.

Especially, the protagonists Ju Hyun-young and Kim Won-hoon in the 'Kolon Mall' music drama catch the eye with their Y2K-inspired outfits. Under the flickering neon signs, the female lead Ju Hyun-young completes a retro style with a floral knit top, silver headphones, a hairpin, and a bag adorned with keyrings. The male lead Kim Won-hoon also reminisces about that nostalgic era with his flowing bal macan coat.

A representative from Kolon FnC stated, “The somewhat unfamiliar yet new 'Y2K Trend' appeals interestingly to the current generation, showing a 'Newtro' trend where they enjoy retro in their own style. The end-of-century sentiment that has dominated the fashion market is expected to continue.”