A surprising fashion trend has been rising in South Korea that is taking the country by storm. It is a well-known fact that every male in South Korea is required to enlist in mandatory military service. The age range for enlisting in the military is typically between 18 to 28. Now, a military-related shirt dubbed the ROKA T-shirt from a clothing brand is becoming a hot topic. Read on to know more.
The Rise Of The ROKA T-shirt
The hottest fashion trend in South Korea is a plain black T-shirt stamped with the words, “R.O.K.A.,” on it. The acronym stands for the Republic of Korea Army. The shirt initially got popular among soldiers serving in the military for being comfortable to wear. A soldier even revealed that people wore them in the army all the time because of the ROKA T-shirt’s cheap price and sturdy quality. The T-shirt absorbs sweat well, and the colour black pairs well with almost everything.
Many believe that the T-shirt transitioned from being practical to fashionable when famous Korean rapper Beenzino and BTS were seen wearing them. Beenzino even recalled mailing his T-shirt to his wife while he was enlisted in the army.
When his wife, model Stefanie Michova, posted a picture of herself holding the T-shirt, it quickly went viral. Soon, a mini tradition was created of men sending their military shirts to family and loved ones. The ROKA T-shirt was now more than just a piece of military gear; it stood as a gesture of love and care.
BTS fans also started buying the clothing item when members of the group were spotted wearing it. Their fandom’s name, i.e ARMYs, being similar to ROKA, also played a part in popularising it among BTS fans.
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Talking to the Korean Herald, a fashion insider also listed another reason for the ROKA T-shirt’s popularity. They explained that since the acronym is not protected by copyright and tied to real military, it carries a sense of uniqueness and authenticity. After becoming popular, many counterfeit versions of the T-shirt were also made, which helped fuel the fashion trend.
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