5 Hairstyles That Were Once Illegal (Number 2 Came With A Death Sentence)

North Korea's 15 Approved Hairstyles

In 2025, North Korea reportedly restricted its citizens to choosing from just 15 government-approved hairstyles for their entire lives. Deviation from the approved list is considered a violation of state rules and can result in fines, detention, or imprisonment. Men are limited to short cuts between one and five centimetres in length and are advised to trim their hair every 15 days. Reports have described young people being detained and forced to get buzz cuts at barbershops for wearing their hair slightly longer than allowed. Even imitating the hairstyle of Kim Jong Un’s daughter is reportedly banned.