Y2K Trend Sweeps Fashion and Music Industries
Experts Say "Y2K Craze Will Continue for a While"
The so-called 'Y2K' aesthetic, which was popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, is becoming a new trend among young people. Items once considered unfashionable, such as UGG boots and leg warmers, are making a comeback riding the Y2K wave. Analysts suggest that the Y2K trend is related to the chaotic times caused by COVID-19 and other factors.
Y2K is an abbreviation for 'Year 2000' and refers to the style that was popular from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.
The representative item of Y2K fashion is UGG boots. UGG boots, which entered the domestic market in the early 2000s, gained tremendous popularity in Korea after actress Im Soo-jung wore them in the 2004 drama 'Sorry, I Love You.' However, their bulky appearance, which made feet look large, quickly caused their popularity to fade.
UGG Boots and Leg Warmers Enter Their Second Heyday... Sales Surge
Recently, as Y2K fashion has become trendy again, UGG boots are experiencing a second heyday. According to Kakao Style, last month’s transaction amount for UGG boots increased by 954% compared to the previous month. This figure represents a 106% increase compared to the same period last year.
Leg warmers, which gained popularity in the 1990s when worn by groups like Fin.K.L and SES, are also popular again. Known as 'bal tosi' (foot sleeves), leg warmers briefly caught the fashion world’s attention. They served as a practical item not only for warmth but also for those self-conscious about their calves, helping to cover perceived flaws. However, due to the rapid changes in fashion trends, they fell out of favor and were remembered as outdated items.
Recently, popular idols such as BLACKPINK’s Jennie, IVE’s Jang Wonyoung, and TWICE’s Nayeon have started wearing leg warmers again, leading to their revival.
The music industry is also swept up in the Y2K craze. NCT Dream released their mini-album 'Candy' on the 19th and dominated various weekly music charts. The title track 'Candy' is a remake of the song 'Candy' from H.O.T.’s first full-length album released in 1996.
Older Generations Feel Nostalgia, Younger Generations Find It Fresh
The reason behind the Y2K craze is that it evokes nostalgia for older generations while offering a sense of novelty to younger generations. In particular, Y2K fashion’s flashy styling and bold colors align with the values of young people who pursue freedom and individuality.
"Pandemic and Employment Crisis Mirror Y2K Era Anxiety... Trend Expected to Continue"
Experts predict that the Y2K trend will continue for some time. Professor Lee Eun-hee of Inha University’s Department of Consumer Studies said, "From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, hope and anxiety about how the new era would unfold coexisted. At that time, people wore brightly colored and boldly patterned clothes to momentarily shake off the unease caused by the chaotic times. This is what is commonly called Y2K fashion."
She added, "Currently, society is very unstable due to COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, and employment difficulties. It seems that young people are wearing flashy clothes again to forget these anxieties even for a little while. This trend is expected to last for a considerable period."
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