How Hairstyles Changed the Characters in The Knockout: Why Men’s Hair Can Completely Transform Appearance

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Discover how hairstyles in The Knockout changed each character’s image and why bangs, slicked-back hair, and hairlines can dramatically affect a man’s appearance, age, and presence.

How Hairstyles in The Knockout Completely Changed the Characters

The Knockout may have ended long ago, but its impact is still very much alive.

Many viewers have watched it a second—or even third—time, simply because they can’t get enough of it.

One reason the show stood out is its large time span. As the story progressed, the characters aged, their identities changed, and their appearances evolved noticeably.

Among those changes, hairstyles played a surprisingly important role.

Hairstyles Matter for Men More Than Many Realize

People often talk about how bangs can dramatically change a woman’s appearance.

But for men, the effect can be just as significant.

A man with his bangs down and the same man with his forehead exposed can look like two completely different people.

The difference can change not only appearance, but also perceived age, confidence, and status.

Let’s look at some examples from The Knockout.

Tang Xiaohu

Tang Xiaohu initially appeared with soft bangs falling naturally over his forehead.

This made him look somewhat innocent, simple, and even a little naive.

Once his hair was styled upward, exposing his forehead, his whole aura changed.

Suddenly he looked tougher, more authoritative, and more intimidating.

The change was so dramatic that he almost seemed like a completely different person.

Gao Qiqiang

Gao Qiqiang is one of the clearest examples.

Early in the series, his bangs gave him the appearance of an honest and modest man.

He looked gentle, restrained, and ordinary.

Later, when his hairstyle changed to a classic side-part slicked-back style, his entire presence shifted.

He immediately projected the image of someone powerful—calm, controlled, and commanding.

The hairstyle helped visually reinforce his rise in status.

Gao Qisheng

Gao Qisheng started with heavy bangs covering his forehead.

This made him appear cautious, quiet, and somewhat submissive.

Once his forehead was revealed, however, the change was striking.

It felt as if something had been unleashed.

He looked sharper, more intense, and much more unpredictable.

The same face suddenly carried a completely different energy.

Li Xiang

Li Xiang had one of the most symbolic hairstyle transformations.

His hairstyle reflected not only age but also professional identity.

In the earlier stages, he wore bangs like many younger characters.

That style made him appear youthful, approachable, and sincere.

Later, as his role and responsibilities changed, his forehead was exposed more fully.

The result was immediate:

He looked more mature, more composed, and more serious.

Why Forehead-Exposing Hairstyles Often Signal Status

In many cultures, especially in formal settings, men often wear hairstyles that expose the forehead.

Common examples include:

• Slicked-back hair
• Side slick
• 2/8 side part
• 3/7 side part

These hairstyles often carry a sense of formality.

In professional or ceremonial settings, neatly styled hair is part of presenting respect.

A clean hairstyle often symbolizes:

• Professionalism
• Seniority
• Confidence
• Authority

In many cases, the older someone becomes and the higher their status, the more common it is to show the forehead.

It becomes part of the visual language of identity.

Why Some Men Avoid Slicked-Back Hair

Even though slicked-back styles can look refined, not everyone likes or suits them.

A hairstyle should always match individual factors such as:

• Face shape
• Hair quality
• Age
• Hairline
• Daily routine

So who may not suit a slicked-back hairstyle?

1. People Who Prefer Low Maintenance

Slicked-back hair often requires styling.

To keep hair lifted and in place, most people need:

• A blow dryer
• Styling wax
• Pomade
• Hair spray

Without these, the hairstyle may collapse quickly.

For busy professionals, styling every morning can take too much time.

This makes the style less practical for people who prefer simplicity.

2. People with High or Irregular Hairlines

A slicked-back hairstyle exposes the entire forehead.

That means the hairline becomes highly visible.

If someone has:

• Hair loss
• Receding temples
• Uneven hairline
• M-shaped hairline

these features become more noticeable.

The purpose of hairstyling is enhancement—highlighting strengths and minimizing weaknesses.

If exposing the forehead draws attention to an unwanted feature, it may not be the best choice.

Why Gao Qiqiang Still Wore It Despite a Receding Hairline

Many people noticed that later in the show, Gao Qiqiang’s hairline had visibly receded into an M-shape.

So why did he still wear slicked-back hair?

Because his age and status changed the visual context.

At his stage in life, a slightly receding hairline looked natural.

More importantly, his hairstyle reinforced his role as someone powerful.

In that context, the exposed forehead added credibility to the character.

3. People with Long, Narrow Faces

Slicked-back hairstyles visually raise the crown and expose more forehead.

For people with long, narrow face shapes, this can exaggerate facial length.

The face may appear even longer, affecting overall balance.

This can create a top-heavy appearance that feels less harmonious.

In these cases, hairstyles with bangs are often better.

Bangs can visually shorten the face and improve proportion.

A Great Example: Wang Peilu

Wang Peilu, who played “Mad Donkey,” is a good example of someone with a longer face shape.

Because of this, his hairstyle did not fully expose the forehead.

If he had worn soft straight bangs, he may have looked too gentle or kind for the role.

Instead, the stylist chose textured wool curls.

This was a clever choice.

The style partially exposed the forehead while keeping enough coverage to soften facial length.

The volume on the sides also balanced the narrow face shape.

It suited the character perfectly.

Hairstyling Can Enhance or Limit Appearance

As mentioned earlier, the purpose of a hairstyle is enhancement.

A good hairstyle should:

• Improve proportions
• Highlight strengths
• Minimize flaws
• Support personal style

But as hair loss becomes more common, many people struggle to find styles that suit them.

Some cannot style their hair the way they want.

Others feel older than they actually are because thinning hair limits their options.

The Right Hairstyle Can Change Everything

Once someone finds a hairstyle that truly suits them, the transformation can be dramatic.

Not just in appearance.

But in:

• Confidence
• Presence
• Personal image
• Overall charisma

That is why the changes in The Knockout felt so powerful.

The hairstyles did not simply change how characters looked.

They changed how they were perceived.

So, Have You Found the Hairstyle That Suits You?

The biggest transformation often doesn’t come from changing your face.

Sometimes, it starts with changing your hair.