The hanbok is coming back in vogue among young people in Korea. It has become a common sight to spot teenagers and those in their 20s donning the colorful Korean traditional costume in places such as palace tourist attractions and traditional neighborhoods Bukchon and Insa-dong.

There has also been an increase in the number of local visitors looking for hanbok rental shops in Insa-dong, according to Han Min-jung of the Insa Traditional Culture Preservation Association. “Teenagers and those in their 20s wearing hanbok started showing up in Insa-dong,” said Han, who also works at the Nam (South) Insa Information Center.

When The Korea Herald visited Insa-dong on a recent Sunday, groups of girls were spotted clad in hanbok and traditional accessories in the area’s bustling main street. Just a short distance away, an even more impressive sight unfolded upon entering the gates of the staid Gyeongbokgung Palace -- scores of young people were dressed in the colorful costumes, exuding joyful vitality.

#Hanbokstagram

Social networks have a role to play in the emerging trendiness of hanbok.

Those dressed in the Korean traditional costume at Gyeongbokgung Palace are often armed with selfie sticks or professional-looking cameras. The pictures they take are often uploaded onto platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

High school students Choi Na-youn, Kim Min-young and Jang I-seul were among those snapping pictures of themselves in front of the palace. Their hair was braided in a traditional style reminiscent of Korean maidens of the past.

“Visiting palaces wearing hanbok is in vogue at schools now. I saw my friends posting pictures on social media,” said Choi.

Kim quickly added, “We want to post our own pictures today.” 

A search for the hashtag #Hanbok on the mobile photo platform Instagram will yield results showing a vast array of people wearing hanbok in palaces. Promotional images of hanbok rental stores come up in the results too. Other common hashtags include #Hanbokstagram, #HanbokDate or #WearingHanbok.

Such traditional garb was once considered a nuisance, as the attire can be tedious and uncomfortable to wear. However, dressing up in hanbok is now considered an enjoyable activity for some. 

Among those spotted in such outfits at Gyeongbokgung Palace were a large group of students from SNU Buddy, a club from Seoul National University that aims to help exchange students adapt to local culture.

“Visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace wearing hanbok has been on the rise since last year, which has made it easier to find hanbok rentals at reasonable prices,” said a Korean member of the club, Byeon Soo-min.

Still not daily attire

Despite the renewed interest in hanbok, the traditional garb is still considered too cumbersome for daily modern life.

College students Kim Ha-kyoung and Lee Seung-eun said the skirts are too long, and complained that it made them trip.

“I saw that one of my friends had worn the hanbok while traveling in Europe. At the time, I thought I’d like to try that, but I have changed my mind because I cannot stand such discomfort,” said Kim.

Hanbok designer Lee Hye-soon pointed out that those who rent hanbok for taking photos are wearing hanbok that do not fit them. “Hanbok is designed to be comfortable, minimizing pressure below the chest,” said Lee.

“They should experience real hanbok -- how comfortable, beautiful and delicate it is,” added Lee.

The perceived discomfort of wearing traditional hanbok and the desire to wear it more often have created a demand for contemporary hanbok that can be part of everyday wear.

Contemporary hanbok designers have responded by creating new styles that feature cinched waistlines, shorter skirts and fabrics with cute patterns. These are offered at affordable prices at a growing number of online shopping stores that specialize in contemporary hanbok, such as LEESLE, a hanbok-inspired casual fashion brand.

College students Kim Ha-kyoung and Lee Seung-eun, who were taking photos at Gyeongbokgung Palace, said they had looked up contemporary hanbok on Ticket Monster, a social commerce site, and they had been surprised to find the designs were trendy and reasonably priced.

However, hanbok is still not part of most people’s wardrobe and it is difficult to spot people wearing either the traditional or contemporary versions of the costume in everyday life.

High school students Choi, Kim Min-young and Jang said that wearing hanbok on the subway had been an awkward experience, as they were the subject of stares. 

“I wish everyone would wear hanbok so I could wear it everywhere, every day,” exclaimed Jang.

By Jung Eun-jin (jej2403@heraldcorp.com)