Throughout the years, I have always sought to learn about different cultures and their respective traditions and customs, especially when it comes to beauty and fashion. In my own culture, we have traditional outfits and patterns that are very beautiful and often carry various meanings. In that regard, I was always fascinated by traditional wear, especially in Asia. This slowly put me on the path to learn about the hanbok, Korea's traditional wear. The hanbok is made for both men and women, and although both are equally unique and beautiful, I will focus on the hanbok for women in this post.

In the majority of old cultures, women have always made an effort to make themselves beautiful through clothing, makeup, hair accessories, hairstyles and the use of colors. Beauty is a symbol of the divine feminine, and the hanbok accomplishes just that.

If you don’t know specific details about the history of the hanbok, it goes back a very long time, but the hanbok as we see it today was mostly defined during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). However, there were changes made to the hanbok up until 1920.

The hanbok consists of two main parts: the skirt (치마) and the top (저고리). To that, various accessories have been modified and added throughout the years such as 고름 (the string to tie the top), 복주머니 (carrying pouch), 댕기 (hair tie), 비녀 (traditional hairpin) and of course, 노리개 (the charm you see hanging from the middle). The 노리개 carries a lot of significance, and it is often passed down from generation to generation. Different styles, shapes, colors, and designs can signify different things.

The hanbok is very expensive to purchase, so many people rent one for various occasions. I had the opportunity to wear the hanbok twice during my classes at the Sejong Institute last Fall, and I have to say it is indeed very beautiful. The intricacies of the design and the materials used are something we don’t see often enough in our days.

In recent years, the hanbok has been modernized and now variations are made by fashion designers that allow women to wear this piece of clothing in their daily lives too.

Due to the popularity of the Hallyu wave in recent years, the hanbok has made a big return. K-pop groups are using modified versions of the hanbok on stage, and in their music videos and various historical K-dramas have been filmed where many types of hanboks have been showcased. Due to that, the hanbok has been in higher demand than usual in Korea and abroad.

If you ever find yourself in Seoul, you can rent a hanbok for a day to have fun, take photos and experience what it is like to wear this beautiful garment. You can find various places online to do so, all depending on your location, budget, and interest. 

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