“Fashion is completed by the face.” This long-standing rule of the style world once again proved true, as a seemingly ordinary—and even unfashionable—green tracksuit was transformed into a global trend thanks to one man: Lee Jung Jae.
In Netflix’s Squid Game, all contestants wear identical retro green sportswear. On paper, it is the kind of outfit many would dismiss as outdated or downright tacky. Yet once Lee Jung Jae put it on as protagonist Seong Gi Hun, the tracksuit transcended costume status and became a cultural symbol. Its impact was so strong that it quickly turned into a worldwide Halloween staple and helped push retro athleisure back into the fashion spotlight.
This phenomenon isn’t new in Korean pop culture. Earlier, Descendants of the Sun sparked a camouflage and military-style boom across Asia. Worn by Song Joong Ki and other male leads, standard-issue army uniforms—once viewed as rigid and utilitarian—were suddenly filtered through romance and heroism. Song Joong Ki’s commanding posture and character charm softened the harsh image of military wear, shifting workwear and camo into mainstream fashion.
A similar transformation happened decades earlier with Chow Yun Fat. Long trench coats and sunglasses once carried a dated, underworld vibe, until his portrayal of Mark Gor in A Better Tomorrow redefined them. With a toothpick casually in his mouth, Chow turned gangster attire into suave, gentlemanly style, triggering a wave of imitation throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Even today, oversized winter coats in Korean fashion echo the silhouette of those classic trench coats—though without the height and presence, few dare to attempt the look.
Among all these examples, the green tracksuit of Squid Game stands out as the boldest reversal. Unlike black or navy sportswear, green tracksuits were long considered unfashionable. But Lee Jung Jae’s performance, combined with the show’s explosive global success, flipped that perception overnight. What was once “too plain” or “too old-school” became iconic.
Ultimately, these moments underline a simple truth in fashion and pop culture alike: when powerful visuals meet star charisma, even the most unlikely outfits can be crowned as trends. In the hands—and on the face—of the right star, “ugly” fashion doesn’t just get redeemed; it conquers the world.
Sources: Mirror Media,Netflix
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