The Korean wave sweeps through Paris: beauty, fashion and K-pop in the heart of the capital

Beauty, music, fashion: Korean culture continues to seduce Paris, where K-inspired addresses are multiplying at breakneck speed.

What was known ten years ago as the “Hallyu”, or Korean wave, is now firmly entrenched in everyday Parisian life. Long confined to an initiated public, South Korean culture has conquered the capital through K-pop, ultra-precise skincare and visually striking urban fashion. In Paris, this fascination is becoming tangible, with stores, cafés and events now part of the local cultural landscape.

Korean beauty: the cult of perfect skin

K-beauty has turned traditional beauty routines on their head. In Paris, retailers such as Miin Cosmetics (rue Saint-Honoré) and Bonnie Beauty Shop (Passage Choiseul) offer the famous 10-step skincare routine, from snail slime creams to charcoal masks. The watchwords: prevention and hydration, a far cry from Western-style camouflage beauty.

Some brands like Laneige, Prof. Dr. Jart+ or Innisfree are now available from Sephora. These are targeted products, often lightly scented, based on natural or fermented ingredients. Parisian women now swear by the double routine of cleansing + essence.

Korean fashion: a structured look, between street and minimalism

In the Marais or near Opéra, Korean fashion boutiques attract a young clientele in search of original, affordable pieces. Labels such as Aland Paris and Kooding Pop-Up focus on oversized cuts, fluid fabrics and soft palettes. The result is a sharp yet wearable aesthetic inspired by the streets of Seoul.

As for accessories, baguette bags, geometric earrings and tinted glasses are increasingly making their way into Parisian shop windows. And young Korean designers such as Andersson Bell and Yuul Yie are beginning to make their mark in high-end concept stores.

K-pop: an active, festive community in Paris

K-pop is no longer a marginal phenomenon. In Paris, fans regularly gather at concerts (such as those by BTS, Stray Kids or Blackpink at Bercy), but also in themed cafés such as My Koffee or K-Coffee Paris. These feature looped playlists, fan art and personalized cakes in the bands’ colors.

Stores like Kpop Life and K-Store Paris (rue Sainte-Anne) sell albums, goodies and official outfits. K-pop dance classes are also springing up in several Paris studios (Studio Bleu, LAX Studio), proof that the wave is as much musical as physical.

To extend your Korean experience in Paris, check out our selection of must-try Korean restaurants.