Modern hanbok is one of the best things to come out of Korea in the last few years.
Traditional hanbok used to be something I’d wear on holidays as a kid. It was fun but a lot of work to get me into one.
It’s great to see hanbok making a comeback in a more practical and stylish way.
This post explains the modern hanbok trend in South Korea.
Let’s check it out!
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What you need to know about Hanbok
Hanbok is a traditional Korean outfit that’s been around for centuries.
With their beautiful texture and patterns, they were reserved for special occasions like weddings, holidays and doljanchi.
There have been many attempts to revive hanbok in South Korea.
The first one I remember was simplified/modernized hanbok (개량 한복 or gaeryang hanbok) or daily hanbok (생활 한복 or saenghwal hanbok) from the late 1980s to the 1990s. It was a more austere version that reminded me of something a monk would wear. Middle-aged Koreans mostly enjoyed them, but they didn’t catch on with the young and cool.
The second one is casual modern hanbok (현대 한복 or hyundae hanbok) since 2000. Daily hanbok has become diversified and trendy for the MZ generation, especially with K-pop idols like BTS, Blackpink, ZICO and Kang Daniel sporting them around 2020. It looks like they’re here to stay this time.
After seeing some K-pop artists, I was fascinated by how beautiful and stylish hanbok can be.
At the same time, there’s been some debate in Korea whether these can be viewed as our tradition, since the classic hanbok emphasizes graceful elegance, while modern hanbok uses some elements to look a bit showy.
I think they’re a great evolution of a classic that’s more accessible and fun to wear.
Flashy but wearable rentals – Slip-on hanbok dresses you can wear over your clothes and two-piece outfits for men. They come with cool accessories like fans and swords. Think cosplay, but with traditional outfits.
Sophisticated modern hanbok – co*cktail dresses and office wear that are sure to turn heads
High fashion – Runway looks with hanbok elements that set trends
The bottom line is, they look like hanbok, but are easier to wear as a daily outfit with a variety of materials and designs.
By using washable fabrics like polyester, rayon or linen, modern hanbok is more practical than traditional ones using silk. It also doesn’t get as hot or heavy and drag on the ground when you walk.
Modern hanbok has become popular among young Koreans. It doesn’t hurt that these stylish pieces are adored by many Korean celebrities too.
Traditional hanbok includes 치마 (chima or skirts), 저고리 (jeogori or jackets), 바지 (baji or pants), 두루마기 (durumagi or overcoat), 조끼 (jokki or vests) and 마고자 (magoja or outer coats).
It has been around for over 1600 years since the Three Kingdoms Period.
Traditional hanbok is beautiful with straight and curved lines in harmony. It’s categorized by ceremonial/casual purposes, men’s/women’s, adults/children and each season.
You’ll often see people wearing them during the two big holidays, Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving, and Seollal, Lunar New Year. There’s even a push by the Korean government to make them a big deal again with Hanbok Day, a national holiday.
What are the differences between traditional and modern hanbok?
Traditional
Modern
Price
Expensive
Affordable
Convenience
Complicated
Simple
Comfort
Hot and heavy
Light, loose and breezy
Occasion
Holidays and special occasions
Every day, but especially when visiting traditional tourist destinations like Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul or Gyeongju
Material
Silk
Linen, rayon and polyester
What is modern hanbok for Men?
Modern hanbok for men includes 바지 (baji or pants) and 저고리 (jeogori or jacket/top) or 도포 (dopo or overcoat).
You can also wear comfy Zijangsa pants like Jungkook, while mixing and matching the top or T-shirt.
What is modern hanbok for Women?
Modern hanbok for women is very simple!
You just need to wear a 속치마 (sok-chima or underskirt), 치마 (chima or skirt) and 저고리 (jeogori or jacket/top) to complete the look.
This is a lot simpler than traditional ones which even require specific socks, called 버선 (beoseon) and shoes.
What accessories go well with modern hanbok?
Modern hanbok is a broad category that includes slip on rentals at tourist attractions and trendy outfits you can wear to work.
One thing’s for sure, Daenggi (댕기) is a perfect companion for women’s modern hanbok!
It’s a traditional Korean ribbon to tie up braided hair, and this hairstyle is called “Daenggi Meori (댕기머리)”.
Not only with hanbok, but it also goes well with Louis Vuitton, just like how Jung Ho-yeon dressed up for the SAG Awards! ヾ(≧▽≦*)o
Hair pins or small flower crowns will look cute with modern hanbok as well. Don’t forget to hold a cute little purse that matches the ensemble.
For men, daily hanbok (casual looks like robes and streetwear) don’t require accessories, but flashy modern hanbok rentals definitely require you to wear a gat (갓 or traditional hat) that you’ve seen on Kingdom. Bonus points if you rock the sword!
What does the hanbok symbolize?
People can now choose any color or colorway according to their preference. But in the past, Koreans had limited options depending on their social status or age.
For example, upper-class children could wear bright colors, and middle-aged adults could wear more subdued hues. On the other hand, commoners had to wear white clothes every day by law, which created the term 백의 민족 (the white-clad folk). They could only wear dull shades of pink, green or gray for special occasions. Tough time to be a fashionista.
Also, only the royal family could wear clothes with gold-printed patterns.
Is it okay for non-Koreans to wear hanbok?
Yes, absolutely! Koreans will love it if you wear hanbok. They don’t think of it as cultural appropriation, and see it more as a cultural victory (as long as you don’t say hanbok comes from your country!).
It’s common for foreigners to wear them during traditional weddings or in touristy areas like Gyeongju and Seoul. Koreans will happily rent them out and think only good things when they see them.
In fact, they like it so much that you can get free entry into 5 palaces in Seoul if you wear one!
How much does traditional hanbok cost in Seoul?
Hanbok prices vary depending on designs and materials, but they usually range from 250,000 to 400,000 KRW (about 200-330 USD).
Koreans mostly buy customized traditional hanbok before weddings for the couple and their parents/in-laws. It’s tradition for parents to wear hanbok to their children’s wedding, even those with western ceremonies.
My married friends who bought traditional hanbok said it comes in handy since they can wear it for weddings, studio photoshoots, doljanchi, holidays and more.
How much does a modern hanbok cost?
There’s good news, modern hanbok are way more affordable than traditional ones. You can easily buy them online (or get inspiration here). Their price ranges from 50 to 150 USD.
Most Koreans rent one for a day or a few hours when visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul or Gyeongju. A modern hanbok look with traditional buildings/walls in the background is so Instagrammable!
Where can I buy hanbok?
If you’re looking for traditional hanbok in Korea, there are many customized hanbok stores, including Silkroot, Woonsunje and Songdongsu Hanbok in Jongno, and Bidanbim in Gangnam.
For modern hanbok, Danha, which designed hanbok for Blackpink, Leesle, Happly, or Goyo are also good choices.
Who made hanbok for Blackpink?
Danha. As hanbok became trendy because of K-pop and Kingdom, YG Entertainment contacted Danha to collaborate on Blackpink’s new music video, “How You Like That”.
One of the garments is unisex with a combination of male 도포 (dopo or overcoat) and female 치마저고리 (chima jeogori or skirt and top).
Who made hanbok for BTS?
BTS member Jimin wore hanbok pants by Leesle.
Jungkook wore Buddhist monk’s clothes designed by a daily hanbok brand, Zijangsa at the airport.
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Did we miss anything?
I used to think that hanbok were only for weddings, but now you can wear them anytime. Modern hanbok are even becoming a popular fashion trend. There’s a version for every occasion, including hanbok dresses.
So find the right one for you.
Let us know your favorite hanbok in the comments!
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For example, hanboks are traditionally worn with kkotseon (flower shoes) and boseon (hanbok white socks), but for modern hanbok, you can wear any shoes like sneakers and boots to personalize your look. Even adding the jeogori overtop your outfit or adding accessories can be simple and will elevate your casual look.
CAN FOREIGNERS WEAR HANBOK? Yes, definitely foreigners can wear Hanbok. In fact in Seoul alone, there are thousands of foreigners who try Hanbok in a day. Just handle it carefully, with grace and you will look beautiful in it.
Modern hanbok, sometimes called daily hanbok (in Korean – 생활한복, literally 'daily life hanbok', or 개량한복, literally 'reformed/improved/modernised hanbok'), is the newest iteration of Korea's national costume.
Even if you're not Korean, there's still nothing wrong with wearing hanbok. Anyone can wear one, as long as you respect the culture and people. If you respect the history behind the garment, that's not cultural appropriation.
Overall there were few major changes until the 19th century, when Western dress started to become more popular. This was followed by Japanese colonial rule. The hanbok eventually fell out of fashion in the early 20th century.
The hanbok (Korean: 한복; Hanja: 韓服; lit. Korean clothing) is a traditional clothing of the Korean people. The term hanbok is primarily used by South Koreans; North Koreans refer to the clothes as chosŏn-ot (조선옷). The clothes are also worn in the Korean diaspora, especially by Koreans in China.
The hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) has a history as colourful as each garment. It was worn daily up until about a century ago; however, it remains an important part of Korean culture, with people wearing it on special occasions and holidays.
Hanboks are essentially decorative traditional clothes so it's best to wear some light clothing underneath. For both men and women, we recommend wearing a light short-sleeved top with a pair of tight lycra shorts in the summer. In winter, when temperatures drop, some thermal layers will help keep you warm.
Through a lot of research, I found that older hanbok were more genderfluid. Many of the pieces were worn equally by men and women. In fact, many musin, or Korean shamans, purposefully wore androgynous hanbok. There are hanbok redesigns that fit contemporary androgynous ideals, or tried to make them more business-like.
While South Korea is quite modern, it's considered inappropriate to show too much skin, especially around the shoulders and chest area. Avoid wearing overly revealing clothing, particularly in traditional or religious settings.
Hanbok undergarment dresses are usually white and have a row of clasps or buttons on the front. Pull it on over your head and clasp it up your torso so that it is tight. You can even wear jeans under your dress if you'd like to, since the undergarment dress usually covers down to your ankles.
According to ancient traditions, the binyeo was a symbol of a girl reaching adulthood. It was also a way for lovers to meet since the groom gave it to his bride as a symbol of love when they married.
After the Korean War, red came to be perceived as the color of communism, thus gaining a negative connotation, but since the 2002 World Cup, it has become a symbol of passion and the color that promotes social cohesion.
Traditionally, blue symbolises creativity, immortality and hope; white symbolises chastity, truth, innocence and death; red symbolises the sun, fire, production, creation, passion and love; black symbolises existence; yellow symbolises light and essence of vitality [25].
During Japanese colonial rule of Korea, white clothes were also prohibited allegedly for sanitary reasons, but this rule also went unheeded. In a way, wearing white could be seen as unspoken resistance against the occupying force. Where did this penchant for white originate?
Different colors and patterns on hanbok symbolize different meanings. Unmarried women wore yellow to show their maidenhood, while couples wore red during their wedding ceremony to symbolize good fortune and wealth. Besides that, patterns such as dragons and tigers indicated royalty or nobility.
Both bride and groom wear the traditional hanbok, a traditional Korean dress specially designed for the ceremony. The hanbok represents thousands of years of tradition and is usually made of a lightweight material with bright colors, simple lines, and no pockets.
Yes, it is completely fine for foreigners to wear a Hanbok. Many tourists visiting South Korea choose to rent or purchase a Hanbok as a way to experience traditional Korean culture and make lasting memories.
The most common one, seen in dramas is the red colored robe with large, round embroidered emblems of dragon sewn on it. It is called gonryongpo (곤룡포), an everyday cloth for the king and the crown prince. So that explains why the king is always wearing the red robe all the time he appears in front of people.
It is called hanbok in South Korea and Chosŏn-ot in North Korea. The term “hanbok” literally means “Korean clothing.” Traditionally, the basic structure of the ancient hanbok consisted of a jeogori (top), baji (pants), chima (skirt), and the po (coat).
So, contrary to popular assumption, the color pink is not necessarily feminine in Korean history. K-drama women in pink hanboks are just a classy and beautiful portrayal of how immensely attractive hanboks can look when women wear them.
As for traditional Korean Hanbok attire, it's very suitable for Muslim women. During one of the events at the Korean Cultural Center in Egypt, the teacher showed the Egyptian students how to sew some Hanbok.
1. Hanbok is traditional Korean clothing. The phrase 'white hanbok' is my translation of baegui (백의), which means 'white clothes'. For Koreans, it goes without saying that 'clothes' here refers to hanbok in light of the Westernisation of Korean clothing.
So it is possible to wear hanbok in winter? Well, yes, as long as it is not negative 5. The hanboks are thicker than you think it is. It got us through 5-8 degrees Celsius without coats and just two layers of clothes.
Women in Korea typically wear leggings beneath shorts, skirts, or even pants. Even when wearing leggings without bottoms, they pair them with shirt dresses or long tops that provide more coverage.
Conveying social identity through hanbok. Variations in hanbok from the Joseon Dynasty were used to signify an individual's gender, social class, marital status, and age – directly reflecting neo-Confucianist values prevalent at the time and its emphasis on maintaining social roles to achieve societal harmony.
Glamorous skirts were thought to be aesthetic as can be assumed from many layers of underwear. Additional layers of bottom underwear were used to make the skirt look as puffy as possible.
While traditional Korean hanbok is mainly worn during holidays and celebrations such as weddings, milestone birthdays, and festivals, modern hanbok is being worn as "daily wear" and can be defined as street fashion.
In September 2022, the average purchase price for apartments over 135 square meters in South Korea amounted to around six million South Korean won per square meter. The overall average apartment purchase price in South Korea stood at about 3.3 million South Korean won per square meter.
In general, you should expect to pay around 1.5–2.5 million KRW (130,000–215,000 USD) for a small apartment or a studio in Korea. Prices for bigger accommodation start at about 4 million KRW (340,000 USD).
Hofstede's 6-D model show that the South Koreans are the least hierarchical, most collectivist, the most feminine, the most uncomfortable with uncertainty, the most long-termed oriented, and the most restrained among the group of people whose national culture and human development were analyzed.
A full set of hanbok for men consists of a vest, jeogori (top jacket), and a pair of pants while women's include a jeogori, undershirt, skirt, and a pair of pantaloons.
Crop tops have been a huge hit these past few years in South Korea, especially in youthful neighborhoods like Hongdae. As long as you cover your shoulder and chest area, there will be no problem showing a little belly skin.
You don't want to wear a leggings on the streets in Korea unless you wanna be on the spot. If you happen to wear a leggings at work or school, everyone will probably stare at you bluntly and might think your outfit is inappropriate.
Outward appearance is not merely about self-expression in most traditional South Korean circles, it's about what is considered feminine and appropriate. Wearing no makeup when you go out, for example, is considered bad manners.
Korean brides will most likely wear hanbok, or Korean traditional formal clothing, historically made of silk, while the groom may wear hanbok or a suit.
Yes, it is possible. However, in South Korea, Koreans usually wear modernized hanbok rather than traditional hanbok as their daily clothes. It is rare to wear hanbok as an everyday item, but it is not unusual. Below is a Cheol-rik, a typical everyday hanbok.
We dress in traditional costumes (known as hanbok), and children show their respect to elders with deep bows (known as seh bae). As part of the celebration, children also receive money and words of wisdom for the new year.
Hanboks are essentially decorative traditional clothes so it's best to wear some light clothing underneath. For both men and women, we recommend wearing a light short-sleeved top with a pair of tight lycra shorts in the summer. In winter, when temperatures drop, some thermal layers will help keep you warm.
Baji refers to the bottom part of the men's hanbok. It is the formal term for "trousers" in Korean. Compared to western style pants, baji does not fit tightly. The roomy design is aimed at making the clothing ideal for sitting on the floor and an ethnic style that dates back to the Three kingdoms period.
Traditional hanbok had vibrant hues that corresponded with the five elements of the yin-and-yang theory: white (metal), red (fire), blue (wood), black (water) and yellow (earth). Colours also symbolised social position and marital status.
During the Three Kingdom period (57 BC – 668 AD), hanbok consisted of an upper garment called a jeogori (a jacket-like top that wrapped closed at the front), and lower garments named baji (trousers, usually worn by men) and chima (long skirt, usually worn by women).
As provided in Hofstede's 6-D Model, a high score in this dimension means that the country is masculine while a low score would mean that it is feminine. South Korea and Vietnam scored 39 and 40 respectively. They are classified as feminine societies.
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