K-Pop idols are renowned trendsetters, and the latest beauty revival comes from an unexpected source: under-eye liner. Once a detail many sought to avoid, this look is making a powerful comeback, championed by top stars like Jennie, Han So Hee, and Seulgi. A July 24, 2026 feature highlighted this once-avoided detail as one of the season’s hottest idol makeup trends, proving that in K-Pop beauty, everything old can be new again.
The Art of Under-Eye Liner: A K-Pop Beauty Revival
The essence of this trend lies in meticulously filling the lower lash line to impart more shape and depth to the eyes. Far from creating a heavy makeup feel, this technique expertly draws attention to the eye area, especially when balanced with complementary cheek and lip colors. It’s about enhancing the natural beauty of the eyes with a subtle yet impactful touch, adding definition without overwhelming the face.
Jennie’s Signature Clean Black
BLACKPINK’s Jennie showcased a masterclass in the clean black version of the trend. A thin black liner meticulously framed her eyes, with the lower waterline adding a neat, precise definition. Her signature sharp wing further elongated her eyes, while a fuller touch of highlighter at the inner corners made her gaze appear even clearer and more luminous, embodying elegant precision.
Han So Hee’s Ethereal Soft Brown
Han So Hee opted for a softer, more ethereal approach using brown tones. She delicately filled her lower line with brown and then lightly blended brown shadow just beneath her eyes. This created a deeper yet pure mood, enhancing her natural beauty with warmth. The feature wisely cautioned against applying brown shadow too heavily, noting it could resemble dark circles. Han So Hee’s light layering ensured the effect remained natural and chic.
Yoonchae’s Playful Contrast
KATSEYE’s Yoonchae brought a playful contrast to the under-eye liner trend. She drew clear liner both above and below her eyes, then amplified the look with a thick highlight at the inner corners. This bright highlight created an illusion of larger, more open eyes. Paired with visible freckles and a wide horizontal blush, her look achieved a witty, irresistibly girlish finish that captured youthful charm.
Giselle’s Bold Smoky Statement
For a bolder statement, aespa’s Giselle embraced a smoky interpretation. She used black pencil liner, filling it down to the lower eye area for intense definition. Thick lines above and below her eyes gave her gaze a strong, commanding presence. Complementing this intensity, a dark lip line paired with brown inner lip color added a dramatic 90s mood, showcasing a powerful and confident aesthetic that commanded attention.
Yuna & Seulgi’s Gentle Brown Underlines
ITZY’s Yuna and Red Velvet’s Seulgi presented the softer, more approachable side of this versatile trend with bright brown underlines. The beauty feature emphasized that brown imparts an overall gentler impression compared to black, making it perfect for an everyday or softer aesthetic. For an even smoother gradient, it suggested using a deeper brown near the outer corners of the eyes and a lighter brown towards the inner corners, creating a beautifully blended and refined effect that gently highlights the eyes.
Why Under-Eye Liner Is Back
This resurgence of under-eye liner demonstrates K-Pop idols’ enduring influence on global beauty. Its versatility, allowing for looks ranging from clean and sharp to soft and ethereal, bold and smoky, or playful and bright, showcases its adaptability. Whether channeled through Jennie’s precision, Han So Hee’s softness, Yoonchae’s wit, Giselle’s drama, or Yuna and Seulgi’s gentle glow, this trend offers diverse ways to enhance the eyes, proving its timeless appeal and undeniable power in modern beauty.
