What is Kim Yo Jong known for? And his air style

 Kim Jong-un's Hairstyle 

Kim Jong-un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, is not only one of the most controversial political figures of the 21st century but also a person with a very distinctive appearance. Among the most noticeable features of his look is his unique hairstyle, which has attracted international attention, parody, and curiosity. His hairstyle is more than just a fashion choice — it's part of his crafted public image and identity, deeply rooted in North Korea’s political culture and symbolism. This discussion will explore his hairstyle from historical, cultural, symbolic, and political angles.

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1. The Signature Style: “High and Tight” Pompadour

Kim Jong-un’s haircut is often referred to by observers as a modernized "high-and-tight" military style with a pompadour twist. It features:

Shaved or closely cropped sides (often above the temples).

A longer, slicked-back top, puffed up in volume.

A clean-shaven neckline, giving a boxy and sharp look.

The hairstyle is carefully maintained and consistent, giving him a strong visual presence and continuity across his public appearances.

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2. Historical Influence: Channeling Kim Il-sung

Kim Jong-un’s hairstyle is a deliberate tribute to his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, the founding leader of North Korea. Kim Il-sung had a similar bouffant-style pompadour during his early leadership years.

This visual echo of the “eternal president” helps create an aura of legacy and legitimacy.

It strengthens symbolic continuity with North Korea’s revolutionary past.

It serves as aesthetic propaganda, reinforcing the dynastic rule of the Kim family.

In a society where image and perception play a crucial role in leadership mythology, the hairstyle becomes a visual icon of loyalty to the family line.

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3. Cultural Message: Power and Supremacy

In many East Asian societies, grooming and style reflect status, discipline, and authority. Kim Jong-un’s exaggerated high-volume hairstyle performs several cultural functions:

Tall hair = Taller appearance = Dominance: North Korean propaganda has often portrayed Kim as a towering, powerful figure. The elevated pompadour contributes to this illusion.

Sharp, militaristic look: The tight sides resemble military cuts, symbolizing discipline, masculinity, and strength.

Contrast with common people: His look remains deliberately unique and non-replicable by ordinary citizens, signaling his status as someone “above” the population.

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4. Barber Culture and Propaganda in North Korea

In 2014, there were reports that North Korean men were encouraged (or even ordered) to adopt Kim Jong-un’s hairstyle. Although these reports were later downplayed, they revealed a key aspect of how his appearance is used:

Enforcement of visual loyalty: Emulating the leader’s style becomes a form of reverence and ideological alignment.

Style becomes a symbol: In North Korea, where visual imagery is tightly controlled, even a haircut becomes a political statement.

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5. Global Reactions and Parodies

Kim’s hairstyle has become a subject of parody and fascination around the world.

Memes, cartoons, and satirical videos have often exaggerated the height and rigidity of his hairstyle.

Barbershops in countries like China and South Korea have advertised "Kim Jong-un Cuts" as a novelty.

In the West, his haircut is often perceived as a "cartoonish" or "retro" style, adding to the global curiosity around his persona.

However, in North Korea, mocking the leader’s hair would be considered a serious political crime — reinforcing how tightly interwoven his appearance is with state control and ideology.

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6. Psychological and Political Symbolism

The hairstyle may also serve psychological purposes:

Assertion of control: The precisely structured and unchanged style symbolizes stability, order, and control in a regime that demands absolute obedience.

Individual branding: In an age of visual media, leaders create powerful brands — and Kim's hair is as much a part of his political brand as his rhetoric.

Resistance to Western influence: The uniqueness of the hairstyle may also signify a rejection of Western fashion trends, symbolizing North Korean independence in even the smallest details.

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7. Evolution Over Time

Kim Jong-un’s hairstyle has remained relatively consistent over the years, but there have been minor changes:

At times, the puff has been more exaggerated, with a higher volume.

Occasionally, it has been slightly more natural or combed sideways, perhaps during diplomatic events to soften his image.

Despite such tweaks, the core elements remain the same, preserving his image as a stable and resolute leader.

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8. Media Control and Photographic Management

North Korean state media meticulously manages Kim Jong-un's image. Photographs are:

Taken from angles that emphasize the sharpness and elevation of his hair.

Often airbrushed or enhanced to ensure a consistent, commanding presence.

Released selectively to project strength and resolve — his hair becomes part of the ‘visual weaponry’ of the regime.

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9. Stylistic Repression in Comparison

In contrast to Kim’s flamboyant hairstyle, common citizens in North Korea are subject to limited haircut styles. State-sanctioned barbers offer only a set of “approved” hairstyles for men and women. This creates:

A stylistic divide between the ruler and the ruled.

Reinforces the notion of Kim as an exalted figure, even visually.

Demonstrates how personal grooming becomes an arm of state ideological control.

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10. Conclusion: Hair as Power

Kim Jong-un’s hairstyle may appear to outsiders as a quirky or eccentric choice, but within the context of North Korean politics and authoritarian iconography, it is a deliberate and strategic element of statecraft.

It represents:

Dynastic legitimacy through resemblance to his grandfather.

Authority and masculinity via military-inspired structure.

Symbolic separation from ordinary people.

A form of propaganda, reinforcing control and identity.

Thus, what may seem like a mere haircut is, in fact, a carefully curated piece of political theatre — an emblem of power, control, and legacy in one of the world’s most tightly managed societies.

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