Chinese & Korean Gyaru: The Differences, the Similarities, & More!

Hi hi~! Gyaru blog time~!

As you can likely glean from the title, this blog will be focusing on two specific groups of gaijin gals: Chinese and Korean gals!

I think a lot of the time, people picture Gyaru as being popular with two main groups of people: Japanese gals and Western gaijin gals. I think that's fair, seeing as a lot of the current Gyaru content overwhelmingly showcases the two groups. However, I think it's time that we give other gaijin gals some spotlight!

Before we begin: For everyone less acquainted with the Japanese language and terminology, gaijin means simply "foreigner." So, anyone who is not Japanese/from Japan is considered a gaijin.

(I have a whole blog about Gyaru terms/vocab that can be found here, if you're interested.)

The word gaijin can often feel like it only applies to Western foreigners. (Seriously, for a long time as a kid, I thought gaijin was just the Japanese word for "white person," haha!) So, I wanted to make a blog about Korean and Chinese gals, because I think a lot of people dismiss Chinese and Korean gals as "not real gals" in a way that other gaijin gals don't experience.

I also wanted to talk about them because they're frankly responsible for the amount of popularity Gyaru is experiencing lately, and I just wanted to give them their flowers!

Let's talk about it!

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CHINESE GALS

If you've interacted with Gyaru culture at any point within the past 5-ish years, then you have 100% seen a Chinese gal, whether you realized it or not. I think they have practically become the face of Gyaru in recent times, seeing how viral photos of them have gone. They are often people's first introduction to Gyaru culture due to their virality.

@ocaso0.oo

The Chinese Gyaru style is very unique. It is slightly related to the Yabi subculture in China, and oftentimes Gyaru is combined with Yabi (more about Yabi can be found here). However, it is very distinct from both traditional Yabi fashion and Japanese Gyaru fashion.

The make is very Douyin-inspired, with a softer finish. The droop/tareme tends to be very round and mostly highlighted with a light concealer, rather than a pure white. Pure white highlights are seen in Chinese gal make, but if you're familiar with Douyin makeup, then you will notice it is more reminiscent of that than anything else. Traditional Gyaru lash styles are seen, but many Chinese gals also choose spikier styles or wet manhwa styles. Bottom lashes also tend to be drawn on, rather than using a strip lash. This is not common in other iterations of gal make, aside from specific substyles. A matte, powdered finish is key for the Chinese gal style.

@chanrio.u_u

Although the make is important, I would say Chinese gals pioritize there coords (outfits) the most. The coords are often composed of pieces from Gyaru brands on Taobao, and are very maximalist. Layering different pieces is the name of the game for Chinese gals! You do see silhouettes similar to what gals in Japan wear from time to time, but their fashion is very distinctly different, like their makeup. Animal prints dominate the fashion, but patterns in general are extremely popular. Polka dots, stripes/pinstripes, and graphic patterns are common to see, among countless others. There are also lots of implements like grommets and other hardware, as well as mesh, fur, and ruffles/lace. Accessories are equally as layered and maximalist.

@ocaso0.oo

Chinese gals often get a lot of unfair criticism, and a lot of it comes down to outright sinophobia. It also comes from other gals, particularly Western gals, being afraid of how much Chinese gals have been able to transform and breathe a new life into Gyaru.

This might ruffle some feathers, but the Western gaijin Gyaru community has always had a problem with people trying new things with Gyaru. There is this overwhelming mentality that if you dont look like a time-capsule, straight out of egg magazine, then you're doing Gyaru "wrong." Western gaijin gals have a real problem with bullying gals who dare to think outside the box or do something different into submission (the Candee situation instantly comes to mind), which is embarrassing for a subculture all about being non-conforming. Creativity is stunted amongst Western gals, but it is blossoming amongst Chinese gals.

Chinese gals have managed to create their own signature style and make themselves stand out amongst other gals. They aren't afraid to combine styles and subcultures, or wear things that you might not see gals in Japan wear. To put it simply, they aren't afraid to be different, which is what Gyaru is all about. Sadly, they get a lot of backlash for that, and it is often debated whether or not Chinese gals are even "real gals."

Which is a shame because China and Chinese gals are basically responsible for reviving Gyaru, as I mentioned above. 

The Chinese shopping platform Taobao has a multitude of small Gyaru brands, and has made more size-inclusive Gyaru brands accessible, which we just don't see out of Japan. As I also mentioned, Chinese gals are often people's first introductions to Gyaru these days. I feel we owe a lot to Chinese gals, because they are almost singlehandedly changing Gyaru for the better.

Chinese gals can be found on platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, as well as on Instagram! Here are some Chinese gals to follow:

@ocaso0.oo on Instagram

@chanrio.u_u on Instagram

@77yeeki on Instagram

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KOREAN GALS

Gyaru, along with Heisei Retro, is very popular in Korea right now, so Korean gals have been making a name for themselves.

Myumi / @baby2metal.c0m

The Korean Gyaru style is often referred to as Ulzzang Gyaru, since, similarly to how Chinese gals often combine styles, Korean gals also often combine Ulzzang elements with Gyaru. 

Also like Chinese gal makeup, the droop/tareme takes on a rounder shape, but it is often thinner than both Chinese and Japanese gal make alike. There is great emphasis on the aegyo sal/namida bukuro, and either white highlights or light concealer highlights can be used. Some Korean gals take on a more Japanese gal-like make style, but the general Korean gal style tends to lean more natural and wearable for everyday. As is common with general Korean fashion, neutral tones are key for Korean gal make. Many Korean gals favor a concealer lip, or a tinted lip gloss over concealed lips. Lash styles can be anything from spikey styles, a true gal style, or an individual lash. all in all, Korean gal make tends to be simpler, and it can be perfect for beginners. For any beginner gals who are already familiar with Ulzzang makeup, I recommend giving the Korean Gyaru fashion style a shot.

@backtothefutureeev

Coords are also equally wearable for the day-to-day. Animal prints are popular, as are Hime/Himekaji elements on a softer scale, and graphics. However, the silhouettes are very simple and casual, and if you look at pictures of Korean gals, their coords are remarkably less extravagant compared to Chinese gals and Japanese gals. Neutral tones are also popular, as another nod to Korean fashion trends, but pinks dominate. Rhinestones are one of the most popular elements in fashion. The casual style is not a downside to Korean gal fashion, but an advantage. It makes Gyaru very easy and less intimidating. The general vibe is cute yet sexy, and soft yet edgy.

Myumi / @baby2metal.c0m

Korean gals receive a lot of similar backlash to Chinese gals, and they are also under constant debate, whether or not they are "real gals." 

I'll put my opinion of them in simple terms:

The Gyaru brand BABYMETALCLUB is a Korean brand. egg models have modeled for them. SHUSHUCHERRY is another Korean Gyaru brand. The official Shibuya 109 Instagram account made an appreciation post for korean gals. 

They are 100% real gals, and Korean gals undoubtedly deserve their flowers!

Here are some Korean gals to follow:

Myumi / @baby2metal.c0m on Instagram (she's the founder of BABYMETALCLUB!)

@backtothefutureeev on Instagram

@cogimyujin on Instagram

@leeei_h_0 on Instagram

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At last, it is finished!! What did you think? Does looking at different gaijin Gyaru styles make you more inspired? I hope so!! I think it's so important to look at how different kinds of people interpret Gyaru, because someone's style might be the one that really clicks for others. its so important to have variety when it comes to Gyaru! I hope you enjoyed and maybe even learned a bit more about Gyaru~ also, apologies for the kind of shitty photos... I write my blogs on my laptop, and for some reason, the desktop version of Instagram wouldn't let me just save the photos? I couldn't be bothered to save them on my phone, then airdrop them to myself, so I just screenshotted them on my laptop, lol... I hope it doesn't bother anyone too badly!! Anyway, the next blog will be a gyarusa (gal circle) deepdive, so if you have a specific Gyarusa you'd like me to research and include, let me know in the comments! Please look forward to it~!! As always, feel free to share whatever comments! Blog ideas, corrections, questions, concerns... I'm all ears!! You can also always IM me with any of it~ Once again, I hope you all enjoyed the blog, and I'll be back again soon~

Remember, Antama loves you~!

Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu