Modern hanbok trending among young Koreans

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• published: 13 Mar 2016
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2030 한복 열풍 Korea's national dress, the hanbok, is admired around the world for its bright, vivid colors,... and a simple silhouette... that frames the body with elegance. The hanbok was the everyday attire in Korea a century ago but nowadays, it's worn only on special occasions. Recently, however, an increasing number of young Koreans is sporting the national costume out on the streets, and, of course, sharing their pictures online. Oh Soo-young with more. It's been said that fashion comes in cycles. And the latest trend in Korea turns the clock back 100 years to the Joseon Dynasty. Consisting of a bolero jacket matched with a full-length empire-waist skirt for women... and a loose pair of trousers for men, the hanbok was worn on a daily basis. But now, as most Koreans dress in conventional Western attire, hanbok are usually reserved for traditional holidays and special occasions,... such as weddings and first birthdays. In recent months, however, the national costume has made its way back into the modern era. "Walking past traditional spots in Seoul, it's become quite common to spot young Koreans wearing the national hanbok costume." They pose for selfies in front of pagodas and stroll down quaint cobblestone streets. These picturesque excursions have become a growing trend on social media among the younger generation… mostly high school and university students. And they're shared online under hashtags such as #hanbok, #hanbokstagram or #rentedhanbok. The journey starts at a hanbok rental store in central Seoul, where customers can choose from hundreds of vividly colored pieces. For around 12 U.S. dollars, an entire outfit can be rented out for four hours.,… complete with a matching clutch and a hairdo for women. "We have up to 150 visitors on busy days. Most of them are young couples and students. Some are foreign tourists." With the growing appeal, the modern hanbok is gaining a foothold in contemporary fashion. Up-and-coming designers are producing modern versions of the hanbok,... incorporating its quintessential qualities into daily looks. "We've focused on reinterpreting patterns for the traditional hanbok jacket and skirt... and have come up with some very contemporary designs. Take the Ten Signs of Longevity. We turned them into illustrated characters,... modern patterns young people would like,... and featured them on the clothes using patchwork and denim." Industry experts say the current hype over the hanbok accounts for only a fraction of its full market potential. "Up to this point in the 21st century, most of the world has leaned towards Westernization. But now many people are regaining their interest in traditional culture. The same goes for fashion. We need traditional designs that are unique to our people. If these elements are applied to modern clothing, it could be an opportunity to recreate value-added fashion that can be appreciated globally." Whether you want to dress up in the classic hanbok costume, or try an everyday look,... traditional is becoming trendy in Korea. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News. Visit ‘Arirang News’ Official Pages Facebook(NEWS): http://www.facebook.com/newsarirang Homepage: http://www.arirang.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/arirangtv Twitter: http://twitter.com/arirangworld Instagram: http://instagram.com/arirangworld