16 Asian and Korean Men's Haircuts

Many Asian men have thick, dark, straight hair. It holds a shape well, but it can also sit flat, grow out wide, or get too heavy on top. The cut matters more than the product.

These 16 Asian and Korean men's haircuts show real cuts, not drawings. Each one says what you're looking at, what to ask your barber for, and how to style it at home. If you're still deciding between styles, our list of haircuts for young men and the guide to modern haircuts for young men have more to compare.

1. Blunt Fringe With a Low Taper

The fringe is cut in a straight line across the forehead, and the sides taper short behind it. That clean edge is what makes the cut look planned.

Ask your barber for: a blunt fringe that ends just above the eyebrows, a low taper on the sides, and a little thinning on the inside of the fringe so it doesn't sit like a helmet.

Style it: Blow-dry the fringe downward while it's damp, then rub a pea of matte clay between your hands and press it through.

Best for: school, work, casual days.

Swap: if a straight line feels too strict, ask your barber to point-cut the ends for a softer edge.

2. Short Crop With a High Fade

This is a short, forward-brushed top with very little length, and the sides fade away high above the ear. The fade does the work here.

Ask your barber for: a high fade with a short, even top, about 1 inch, and a natural hairline in front. Skip a sharp line-up unless you like that look.

Style it: Towel dry and brush the top forward. A little light paste is enough, or none at all.

Best for: daily life, the gym, summer.

Swap: if the top feels too short for you, ask for 1.5 inches and a mid fade instead.

3. Tall Pompadour With Short Sides

The top is swept up and back into a tall wave, and the sides are cut close. The contrast gives the face height and a strong outline.

Ask your barber for: 3 to 4 inches on top, short sides with a mid taper, and the front left long enough to lift.

Style it: Blow-dry the top up and back with a round brush, then set it with a medium-hold pomade or clay.

Best for: nights out, dates, parties.

Swap: if the pompadour is too much for daily wear, ask for 2 inches on top and style it lower.

4. Two-Block Fringe With an Undercut

The top is a layered, slightly textured fringe, and the back and sides are cut much shorter underneath it. This is often called a two-block cut: one block of longer hair on top, one block of short hair below.

Ask your barber for: a two-block cut, with the top left about 3 inches and the sides and back clipped short. Tell them you want the fringe layered, not one flat length.

Style it: Rough dry with your fingers and add a light paste to the ends to keep the layers separate.

Best for: campus, concerts, casual weekends.

Swap: for a lower-maintenance version, ask for the sides a little longer so the undercut grows out softly.

5. Sleek Swept-Back Hair in Profile

The hair is combed straight back with a smooth finish, and the sides are short and tidy. In profile you can see how clean the shape is, with no sharp lines.

Ask your barber for: about 3 inches on top so it can be combed straight back, and a taper on the sides. Add a soft side part if you prefer one.

Style it: Comb it while damp and use a little cream or light pomade for a smooth finish with some shine.

Best for: dates, dinners, creative jobs.

Swap: if you don't want shine, use a matte cream and leave the comb marks softer.

6. Rounded Top With a Faded Back and Sides

The top has a full, rounded shape that falls forward over the forehead, and the back and sides fade up into it. It's a gentler shape than the blunt fringe in look 1, because the front is shorter and fuller.

Ask your barber for: a rounded, layered top with a mid fade on the sides, and a short fringe that stops about a finger above your eyebrows.

Style it: Blow-dry the top forward and a little to one side, then use a light pinch of styling cream.

Best for: school, work, everyday wear.

Swap: if your hair is thick, ask for the top to be thinned so the rounded shape doesn't get too heavy.

7. Textured Fringe With a High Fade

The top is choppy and textured, brushed forward, and the side is faded high so you can see the skin. Because the top is messy on purpose, it looks relaxed even with a suit jacket on.

Ask your barber for: a high fade, a textured top of about 2 to 3 inches, and choppy ends instead of a straight line.

Style it: Work in a small amount of matte clay with your fingers and push the front forward and slightly up.

Best for: graduation, interviews, weddings.

Swap: for a softer fade, ask for a mid fade. It grows out better and doesn't need trims as often.

8. Short Side-Swept Quiff

This was taken in a barber shop, and it shows what a neat finish looks like. The top is short and swept up at the front, and the sides taper close.

Ask your barber for: a short quiff, about 2 inches on top, with a taper on the sides and a clean neckline.

Style it: Use a bit of pomade and push the front up with a comb, then set it with your fingers.

Best for: work, family events, daily wear.

Swap: if you want less hold, use a light cream instead and let the front fall a little lower.

9. Short Spiky Crop

The top is short and pushed up into small spikes, with the sides tapered close. It's one of the quickest cuts here to style, because the texture does the job for you.

Ask your barber for: a short crop with about 1.5 inches on top, tapered sides, and the front cut slightly longer so it can stand up.

Style it: Take a pea of wax or clay, rub it between your palms, and tousle the top upward. It takes under a minute.

Best for: summer, sports, busy mornings.

Swap: if spikes feel too young, ask for the top a bit longer and style it flat to the side.

10. Classic Side Part for Work

A short, natural side part with a soft taper at the sides and back. Nothing is shaved or sharp, so it stays smart as it grows out.

Ask your barber for: a classic side part, about 2.5 inches on top, a soft scissor taper, and no hard fade. Say you want it "natural, not shaved."

Style it: Comb it into the part while damp and use a light cream. Skip heavy gel.

Best for: the office, meetings, dinners.

Swap: if you want it even simpler, skip the product and just comb it dry.

11. Messy Textured Quiff

The top is tousled and lifted at the front, and the sides are short. The mess is part of the style, which means you don't have to fight for a perfect finish.

Ask your barber for: a textured quiff with about 3 inches on top, choppy layers, and short tapered sides.

Style it: Rough dry with your fingers and add a little sea salt spray or matte paste for grip.

Best for: concerts, city days, weekends.

Swap: if your hair is flat, ask for more layers on top so it holds some lift.

12. Voluminous Swept-Back Top

The hair on top has lots of volume and is brushed back and slightly to the side, and the sides are short. It looks fuller than a slick back, and the shape is soft, not stiff.

Ask your barber for: a volume cut, with 3 to 4 inches on top, layers to add body, and a mid taper on the sides.

Style it: Blow-dry it up and back, then finish with a texturizing powder or clay to hold the volume.

Best for: parties, dates, weddings.

Swap: if you have thin hair, ask for a shorter top and use a volumizing powder.

13. Bleached Blond Blunt Fringe With Long Sides

This is the boldest cut in the list. The hair is bleached blond, cut straight across the forehead, with long layered sides that reach past the jaw.

Ask your barber for: a short blunt fringe with long layered sides and a clean, even line at the ends. Bleaching takes time, so book that separately and ask a colorist how to look after it.

Style it: Use a leave-in conditioner or a light oil to keep bleached hair smooth, and comb it straight.

Best for: creative jobs, galleries, nights out.

Swap: if you're not ready for blond, keep the same shape in black or dark brown.

14. Side-Swept Cut With Volume

The hair is swept to the side with a lift at the front, and the sides are short and neat. It's a clean cut that goes with a jacket and tie, because the shape is soft and nothing about it is flashy.

Ask your barber for: a side-swept top with about 3 inches of length, a taper on the sides, and the front blended up from the hairline.

Style it: Blow-dry up and to the side with a round brush and set with a little light-hold pomade.

Best for: interviews, business days, formal events.

Swap: if you want a more relaxed finish, use clay instead of pomade.

15. Tousled Short Crop

The hair is short, tousled and pushed forward, with a few strands standing up on top. It looks casual but neat, and the white shirt with an open collar keeps it simple.

Ask your barber for: a short scissor cut, about 2 inches on top, with the sides tapered but not faded. Ask for texture on the top and let it sit naturally.

Style it: Towel dry and shape it with your fingers. A little paste on the ends is enough.

Best for: school, work, everyday wear.

Swap: if your hair is straight and flat, ask for point-cut layers so it holds some texture.

16. Soft Wavy Fringe

The hair is fluffy and wavy, falling softly over the forehead with short sides. The wave gives it volume with no styling effort.

Ask your barber for: a soft, layered top with about 3 inches of length and tapered sides. If your hair is straight, ask whether a light perm would give you this shape.

Style it: Use a curl cream or light mousse, scrunch it with your hands, and let it air dry.

Best for: casual days, dates, college.

Swap: if you don't have natural waves, a salt spray and a diffuser can give a similar texture.

How to Choose an Asian or Korean Haircut

Thick, straight hair is easy to cut cleanly, but it needs the right length and layers. Use this table as a quick guide.

If you have	Try	Why
Thick, straight hair	Two-block cut or textured fringe	Shorter sides take away bulk and the layers stop the top from looking heavy
Thin or flat hair	Short crop or soft wavy fringe	Short hair looks fuller, and a wave or perm adds lift
Round face	High fade with height on top	Volume on top makes the face look longer
Little time	Short crop or tousled crop	Almost no styling

For more help with face shapes, see our guide to haircuts for men with a chubby face.

What to tell your barber:

• Fade type: low, mid or high. A mid fade is the safest first choice.
• Top length: give it in inches or fingers, not just "short."
• Fringe: blunt (straight across), layered or swept to the side.
• Texture: ask for point-cutting or thinning if your hair is thick.

What to avoid:

• Walking in without a photo. Save one on your phone.
• Heavy gel on straight hair. It dries stiff and flakes. Clay, paste and cream look more natural.
• Skipping trims. A fade starts to look messy after a few weeks.

FAQ

What is the most popular Korean haircut for men?

The two-block cut and fringe styles are among the most common ones you'll see. The top has some length, and the sides are cut shorter underneath. Look 4 shows the shape.

What haircut suits thick Asian hair?

A cut with shorter sides and layers on top. Thinning or point-cutting takes away bulk, and a taper keeps the sides from puffing out.

How do I style a fringe so it doesn't look flat?

Blow-dry it while it's damp, then add a small amount of matte clay or paste. Too much product makes it heavy and greasy.

Do I need a perm for a Korean look?

No. A perm is only worth it if your hair is flat and you want soft waves. Look 16 shows the result, and a barber can tell you if your hair type would hold it.