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Hanbok trend draws mixed responses

August 13, 2015

(Courtesy of Today Hanbok)

Modernized hanbok with a shorter skirt and polka dot “jeogori (jacket)” (Courtesy of Today Hanbok)

By The Korea Times Seoul staff

Hanbok, or traditional Korean attire, has mostly disappeared in the highly modernized city of Seoul, with the exception of weddings or national holidays such as Seollal or Lunar New Year and Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving.

But hanbok has recently been weaving its way into modern-day clothes in styles that are captivating young women.

Hemlines have gone up, traditional designs simplified and modern patterns incorporated to make appealing outfits for modern women.

Today, in a trendy area such as Hongdae, you may come across someone clad in a T-shirt and a hanbok skirt. While these modern styles also come as a complete outfit of a “jeogori(jacket)” and skirt, mix and matching is more popular. Incorporating pieces of modern-style hanbok has kicked off as a trend in Seoul.

That doesn’t mean everyone is welcoming it.

Kim Ae-ran, 30, who likes to wear modern styles of the traditional costume, said people do not always approve of her outfits.

“I often wear modernized hanbok, which has a shorter skirt than the traditional one, but some elderly people say it isn’t appropriate,” Kim explained.

She said many people have a narrow definition when it comes to tradition.

Many others agree.

“Modernized hanbok can be appealing but it might not be so effective in promoting Korea, because it looks different from the traditional costume,” said a blogger with the ID: lukt***n. ”Foreigners who have not seen hanbok before would not be able to tell what the modernized outfits represent.”

Designer Lee Young-hee’s traditional Korean hanbok fashion show is underway at an event in Cheongju City, North Chungcheong Province, on March 9, 2015. (Yonhap)